On Kobe Bryant’s 39th birthday, former Los Angeles Lakers teammate, Pau Gasol, gave the Black Mamba the ultimate compliment.
On August 23, 1978, one of the greatest Los Angeles Lakers and greatest players in NBA history was born. As a toddler, this man was given a basketball by his father, Joe “Jellybean” Bryant, and, well, as they say, the rest is history.
Given that Kobe Bean Bryant is 39 years of age today, many fans will surely look back on all the memories he brought to the Los Angeles Lakers. The five championships he played a tremendous role in are definitely the sweetest.
However, who can forget the mind-boggling 81 points against the Toronto Raptors? Or the 62 point, three quarter outburst versus the Dallas Mavericks, or when he drained two free throws with a torn Achilles?
Of course, who will ever forget the magical, Hollywood-esque 60 point game he had to close his storied career? These examples merely scratch the surface when Bryant’s 20-year run is thought about.
Earlier today, former teammate and current San Antonio Spurs center, Pau Gasol, reached out to this particular NBA icon. Pau posted something on his Twitter account for Bryant, and it will be one that will have NBA fans raving without a doubt.
Happy birthday GOAT @kobebryant !!! pic.twitter.com/lGIRNWcNyz
— Pau Gasol (@paugasol) August 23, 2017
This extremely kind remark speaks wonders about Pau, who will always be remembered for his classy disposition. Needless to say, too, it sheds quite a lot of light on how strong Pau and Kobe’s relationship is.
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As teammates, the pair led the purple-and-gold to back-to-back world championships in 2009 and 2010. Thus, there is some tangible history there between the former one-two punch.
Now, as to the bold claim made by Gasol. Could it be a tad far-fetched in nature? Perhaps.
While many modern day Lakers fans would defend Pau’s stance, old school L.A. diehards would likely vouch for Magic Johnson or Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Certainly, Chicago Bulls supporters probably have another extraordinary 6’6” shooting guard in mind as well. He does not even require a formal introduction.
At the end of the day, though, it is difficult to really question the Spaniard’s generous sentiment. Kobe will be a bona fide, first ballot Hall of Famer in a few years and is one the most tenacious, resilient two-way players ever. It is not even a debate.
He is the league’s third all-time leading scorer and made it to one of the All-Defensive squads 12 times.
Next: Top 10 Kobe Bryant Games Of All-Time
Considering titles like the GOAT will always be up the air, maybe it is safer to wish one of the GOATs the best on his big day. Because he was a guy who never gave anything less than his absolute best effort every single night. There is no denying that truth.