Pau Gasol comforts the late Kobe Bryant’s daughter Natalia as they watch the Lakers play after ceremony honoring her father with a statue – four years on from his shock death at 41 in a California helicopter crash

Pau Gasol comforts the late Kobe Bryant's daughter Natalia as they watch the Lakers play after ceremony honoring her father with a statue - four years on from his shock death at 41 in a California helicopter crash

Most watched Sport videos

Lakers hero Pau Gasol sat and comforted Kobe Bryant’s daughter Natalia – his goddaughter – in Thursday’s game against Denver Nuggets, hours after a ceremony unveiling a statue honoring her late father had been held by the NBA team.

The Bryant family took a seat in the stands at Crypto.Com Arena on Thursday night as the Lakers narrowly lost by eight points to the current NBA champions.

They were joined by Bryant’s old teammate Gasol, who has made every effort to rally around the family since Bryant’s death in a 2020 helicopter accident in California that took the life of eight other people – including his 13-year-old daughter Gianna.

Natalia, 21, was pictured putting her head on Gasol’s shoulder during the game, a  heartwarming moment that fans responded to on social media.

‘Uncle Pau sitting with Kobe’s daughter Natalia at Lakers game,’ wrote on fan, sharing the video on Instagram.

Pau Gasol sat and comforted Kobe Bryant 's daughter Natalia at Thursday's Lakers game

Pau Gasol sat and comforted Kobe Bryant ‘s daughter Natalia at Thursday’s Lakers game 

Pau Gasol & comforting his goddaughter Natalia Bryant at the Lakers game on 2-8-24, the day Kobe’s statue was unveiled ❤️Pau is the ultimate godfather & a real man of his word to take care of Kobe’s kids! �� pic.twitter.com/ipbZ8HyRQO

— NBA Buzz (@OfficialNBABuzz) February 9, 2024 On Thursday, the Lakers revealed the first of three statues planned to honor Bryant The 4,000-pound statue depicts Bryant in his white No. 8 jersey

On Thursday, the Lakers revealed the first of three statues planned to honor Bryant

Kobe, pictured with wife Vanessa, died in a California helicopter crash in January 2020

Kobe, pictured with wife Vanessa, died in a California helicopter crash in January 2020

Another wrote: Pau Gasol is an incredible human being. This is the type of brother you want in your life. 

‘The bond between Pau and Kobe went far beyond the game. Since, Kobe pᴀssed Pau has been with his daughters and wife every step of the way.’

Speaking prior to Thursday’s ceremony, Gasol said of his former teammate: ‘He just wanted to be the best that he could possibly be. 

‘He wanted to be the best, period. He understood for that to happen it required special focus and he put in the work.’

‘The impact that he has had on so many people stand out. So many emotions, I was so fortunate to be on the same team, to have helped in some way.

‘He pushed me to be a better player and a better person overall. It is hard not having him here today but we are honoring him and his legacy, which goes beyond.’ 

The Lakers honored their late superstar with a 19-foot bronze statue on Thursday, the first of three that are planned for Bryant.

Gasol and Bryant pictured together in 2013 when the Lakers played San Antonio Spurs

Gasol and Bryant pictured together in 2013 when the Lakers played San Antonio Spurs 

LeBron James and the Lakers narrowly lost by eight points to Denver Nuggets on Thursday

LeBron James and the Lakers narrowly lost by eight points to Denver Nuggets on Thursday 

The 4,000-pound statue depicts Bryant in his white No. 8 jersey with his right index finger raised as he walked off the court following his 81-point performance against the Toronto Raptors in January 2006.

Bryant’s widow, Vanessa, said during the dedication ceremony that the statue is the first of three that will be created to honor the five-time NBA champion and top scorer in Lakers history. 

Another statue will feature Bryant in his No. 24 jersey, which he wore for the second half of his career, while a third will depict Bryant and his daughter, Gianna.

Related Posts

BREAKING NEWSBombshell report claims LeBron James has made decision on NBA retirement

BREAKING NEWSBombshell report claims LeBron James has made decision on NBA retirement

A new bombshell NBA report claims that living legend LeBron James has made a decision on retiring – the current 40-year-old will test the market at the…

Kobe Bryant’s father puts special-made replica of 2000 Lakers championship ring up for auction… with the top offer already at ,000!

Kobe Bryant’s father puts special-made replica of 2000 Lakers championship ring up for auction… with the top offer already at $94,000!

Most watched Sport videos Joe ‘Jellybean’ Bryant, the father of the late Kobe Bryant, has put a special made replica of his son’s 2000 Los Angeles Lakers…

ESPN star Peter Rosenberg sparks new Caitlin Clark ‘race’ storm with claim about NBA prospect Cooper Flagg

ESPN star Peter Rosenberg sparks new Caitlin Clark ‘race’ storm with claim about NBA prospect Cooper Flagg

Caitlin Clark has been dragged into yet another debate about race after Cooper Flagg was selected first overall in the NBA draft. The 18-year-old, considered one of the…

Michael Jordan ‘agrees there are similarities’ between himself and Anthony Edwards as Timberwolves star continues to draw comparisons

Michael Jordan ‘agrees there are similarities’ between himself and Anthony Edwards as Timberwolves star continues to draw comparisons

Most watched Sport videos NBA legend Michael Jordan agrees that there are similarities between himself and Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards. With the 22-year-old Edwards continuously drawing…

Pistons rookie Ausar Thompson to miss remainder of season with BLOOD CLOTS… but the 21-year-old NBA star should be ready for next season

Pistons rookie Ausar Thompson to miss remainder of season with BLOOD CLOTS… but the 21-year-old NBA star should be ready for next season

Most watched Sport videos Detroit Pistons rookie swingman Ausar Thompson will miss the rest of the season due to a blood clot, the team announced Wednesday. ‘I’m…

Skip Bayless claims he is a ‘reverse racist’ in crazed rant about white American NBA players

Skip Bayless claims he is a ‘reverse racist’ in crazed rant about white American NBA players

Controversial sports commentator Skip Bayless left fans baffled on Thursday after posting a long rant hitting out at the talent of white American basketball players – and…