Oct. 15--Pau Gasol won two championships playing alongside Lamar Odom with the Lakers, finishing many games and adding a certain spirit that created a strong bond between the two.
That's why Gasol admitted to a tough, emotional Wednesday as he processed the fact his former teammate is fighting for his life after being found unresponsive at a Nevada brothel.
"It's really, really sad for all of us who know him and care about him and have been around him," Gasol said. "It's been a difficult day for me personally. I found about his situation and it's really tough. Just trying to keep it together.
"He was a great teammate, full of joy, a guy you want to have in your locker room. He's very unselfish, an incredible guy. I had a lot of memorable moments with him. That's why it's so hard, to see him fighting for his life.
"We had a very special bond. We played off each other a lot. We finished most games or all games together. We're both versatile, unselfish. It was fun to play together. We had incredible respect for each other. We just played so well together and with that team. It's very hard."
A common theme for anyone who played with or knew Odom is his unselfishness and commitment to team. Pistons coach Stan Van Gundy, who coached Odom for one season in Miami, called him one of his favorite players.
"All of us who had the privilege of working with Lamar, we're all in the same place right now," Van Gundy said. "It's occupying everybody's mind right now. As a player, he really was one of my all-time favorites. I've said that numerous times. Not only a great player but a great teammate that everybody enjoyed being around. The guy has had such a hard life in a lot of ways and was still such a positive person. He doesn't deserve this. It's really, really sad, tough to deal with."
