In the Los Angeles Lakers final home game of the 2013-14 NBA season Sunday night, a recovering Pau Gasol (vertigo) sat on the bench cheering on his teammates in what could have very well been his last game as a Laker at Staples Center.
Of the six injured players (Gasol, Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash, Chris Kaman, Kent Bazemore, Xavier Henry), Gasol was the only one who made it out to the Lakers bench Sunday night in their loss to the Memphis Grizzlies. Even Bryant, who was scheduled to make a pre-game speech for Fan Appreciation Night, backed out with a migraine headache.
Gasol stuck it out to the very end. He was the last Laker off the court, stopping to sign autographs with nearly every fan that approached him.
During the fourth quarter, with a few minutes remaining, Gasol received a well-deserved standing ovation from fans as he was pictured on the jumbotron, waving, smiling and giving fans a thumbs up. It was a small token of appreciation for the greatness Gasol has brought to this city, in such a humble, genuine way.
Thank you, Pau Gasol for all the memories and two back-to-back championships that would not have been possible without you.
_________________________________________________________________________________
VIDEO: Pau Gasol Is Santa For The Kids!
