LOS ANGELES -- As Kobe Bryant's farewell tour continues, the Los Angeles Lakers star will not only make final stops in various arenas, or face certain longtime foes once more, but he'll also bid adieu to beloved ex-teammates who are now playing with other teams.
And there are few teammates that Bryant is closer with than Pau Gasol, the Chicago Bulls forward who won two titles alongside Bryant in 2009 and 2010.
The two will meet up Thursday when the Bulls face the Lakers at Staples Center, and ahead of that matchup, Bryant talked about his six and half seasons with Gasol and especially all the instances in which Bryant defended Gasol when the 7-foot Spaniard was involved in constant trade rumors.