Lakers Fans Will Love The Reason Pau Gasol Was So Thrilled To Be Named An All-Star Replacement

pau gasol, kobe bryant
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When the Bulls announced Monday that Jimmy Butler would be out three to four weeks with a knee strain, there was a silver lining: Pau Gasol would take his place at the All-Star game in Toronto. And for good reason.

Gasol is averaging 17 points and almost 11 rebounds per game, and his 29 double-doubles are fifth most in the league so far this season. The 35-year-old also ranks fifth in the NBA in blocks with two per contest, joining a decidedly younger and more athletic set of rim protectors that includes Hassan Whiteside, Anthony Davis, DeAndre Jordan, and Serge Ibaka.

But those impressive credentials aren’t the real reason why he was so disappointed at not being selected to the All-Star team from the outset. As it turns out, it had a lot more to do with a certain former teammate who’ll be making his final appearance in the big game this weekend.

You’ll recall that the two have something of a history together. Gasol’s arrival in L.A. immediately set the floundering Lakers on a course to three straight Finals appearances and back-to-back championships. Gasol, likewise, is one of Bryant’s favorite teammates of all time, so it’ll be great to see them on the court together for one last All-Star game, albeit facing off against one another.

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