Pau Gasol: Kobe wanted to “retire together”

In the move that may have hurt Lakers fans most this summer, Pau Gasol spurned multiple Lakers’ offers to join Joakim Noah and the Bulls for a chance at a title.

It’s no secret that Gasol and former teammate Kobe Bryant were very good friends, even to the point of calling each other brothers. It was certainly difficult for Gasol to leave Bryant, who made one final plea to the Spaniard to stay in LA and retire together.

"Pau said Kobe urged him to stay with Lakers and retire together.– Sam SmithKobe wanted Pau to stay in LA and retire together, but he wanted a change of scenery. “We’ll be friends and brothers no matter what.”– Sean Highkin"

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Gasol etched his name in the Lakers history books. In his first season in LA, he helped lead the Lakers to the Finals, where they were downed by the Celtics. The following two seasons saw the Lakers win back-to-back titles, the latter against the aforementioned Celtics.

However, his time in LA also brought lots of scrutiny. Always involved in trade talks and always the scapegoat by fans, Gasol took a beating in the presses and on social media. To his credit, he remained professional about it all, never being anything less than an utmost professional.

But when the time came this summer for Gasol to control his own destiny for the first time in his career, Gasol chose not to return to the place who too often took him for granted, moving on to greener pastures in Chicago, where the Bulls will likely contend for a title this year.

Do you blame Gasol for leaving? Would you have stayed if you were in his shoes? Let us know below!