"More than devastated. I can't believe it. My older brother." Pau Gasol knew the death of his guardian angel, Kobe Bryant. And could not go beyond what was expressed.

"In February 2008, my life changed." This is how Pau starts the prologue that he dedicated to his friend Kobe in the book Mentalidad Mamba (Encouragement), in which one of the best players in history tried to decipher the reason for his legend. Pau did not hesitate to collaborate. It was Kobe who caused a decisive turnaround in his sports career. It was Kobe who showed him the way to successes he had always dreamed of when he saw how time went by too slowly in Memphis. Two rings awaited in the watchtower. Pau, accustomed to acting as an older brother at home, saw that same figure in Kobe. A link that was not only limited to their coexistence in Los Angeles, between 2008 and 2014, but that should last a lifetime. Too short Kobe's.

When Kobe Bryant retired, in April 2016, Pau Gasol wrote a letter in which he already showed him eternal gratitude: "He showed me that he cared. It was a hard love. He challenged me because he expected more from me. When someone it challenges you, it means that he cares about you. When they ignore you, they don't care about you. That's when you have to worry (...) Being with Kobe has had an impact on my life. "

The prologue of Pau Gasol included in the Mamba Mentality is reproduced below, a work that featured an introduction by legendary coach Phil Jackson and photographs by Andrew D. Bernstein, published in the United States in 2018 and which arrived in Spain on October 8 .

It was a defining moment in my career as a basketball player, but also in my life outside of sport. My path was aligned with that of one of the best players in the history of the sport that I love.

Within hours of knowing that he had been transferred from the Grizzlies to the Lakers, he was crossing the country by plane to Los Angeles, a city diametrically opposed to Memphis. The next morning I had to pass the physical exam to finish my transfer. The Lakers were on tour, and I was looking forward to joining my new teammates, so, as soon as I passed the exam, I got on another plane in the direction of Washington. Kobe called me that same morning to see us as soon as he arrived at the Ritz Carlton hotel. It was after one in the morning when I finally got to my room, and soon after I heard someone knocking on the door. It was Kobe. For me, that was a tremendous demonstration of what a true leader is, and our encounter struck me greatly instantly. The message was clear: there was no time to lose, the moment was now, let's get the ring. His attitude left no room for doubt: it was about winning.

One of the qualities that has made Kobe so successful, and that will keep him having it in the future, is his attention to detail. He always used to tell us: if you want to be a better player, you have to prepare, prepare and continue preparing. His game analysis was at another level. I am a player who studies many videos; I like to review the last game of my opponents to see how they are playing when I am about to face them, but Kobe went a few steps further.

I remember it as if it were yesterday: we were in Boston, at the end of 2010, and I received a text message from him. I wanted him to go to his room to show me some videos of how the Celtics defended the 'pick and roll' and how we should approach it. I know with certainty that this level of detail, both in preparation and in the study, was a key factor for us to win those championships and for many of the successes that Kobe achieved individually.

I have never seen a player so dedicated to being the best in my career. His determination is second to none. No doubt, he worked harder than any other player he has ever met. Kobe knew that to be the best you need a different approach than others. I remember the night we got together as a team for our annual dinner, just before the playoffs. I was sitting next to him and, when we were about to leave, he told me that he was going to the gym to exercise. As aware as I was of the amount of extra time I spent training, I was always impressed with how disciplined it could be even in relaxing situations. When everyone else thought about going to sleep, his mind was telling him it was time to get ahead of the competition.

For years, many people have wondered about how difficult it was to play with Kobe. Actually, it wasn't. All you had to do is understand where it came from, how it was and how much you wanted to win. It challenged players and coaches to match their intensity, their desire, to get the best of themselves on a daily basis, not only in games, but also in training. Kobe wanted to find out what pasta you were made of, and if he could count on you to help him win, that simple. I will always be grateful. He got the best of me as a basketball player, and also made me stronger as a person. The time we spent together was, without a doubt, invaluable.

In my family, I am the eldest of my brothers, and I always try to be an example for the little ones; I challenge them when I think they need it, and I praise them when they deserve it. Kobe is the closest to an older brother to me. He never hesitated to tell me things as they were, without sweetening anything, always challenging me so that he could do his best at all times. In the good times, but especially in the toughest, our bond only became stronger and stronger, and we have always supported each other, as brothers.

Kobe Bryant returned the praise. With my heart: "Pau was like a brother to me. Throughout my career I shared a locker room with dozens and dozens of players. Among them, I can say, without a doubt, that Pau was my favorite companion (.. .) We were both very culturally versatile speaking. We both loved reading, and musicals, and opera, and theater. We had a deeper connection than mere teammates. "

In the story it remains.

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