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NBA Rumors: Kobe Bryant says high chance Pau Gasol returns to Lakers

By Josh Hill

Dec 10, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Pau Gasol (16) and guard Kobe Bryant (24) react during the game against the Phoenix Suns at Staples Center. The Suns defeated the Lakers 114-108. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 10, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Pau Gasol (16) and guard Kobe Bryant (24) react during the game against the Phoenix Suns at Staples Center. The Suns defeated the Lakers 114-108. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 10, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Pau Gasol (16) and guard Kobe Bryant (24) react during the game against the Phoenix Suns at Staples Center. The Suns defeated the Lakers 114-108. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 10, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Pau Gasol (16) and guard Kobe Bryant (24) react during the game against the Phoenix Suns at Staples Center. The Suns defeated the Lakers 114-108. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

The Los Angeles Lakers are experiencing two things they’re not used to: losing and doubt. Wins aren’t coming easy — or hardly at all — this year for the Lakers and that has cast major doubt over the further of the team.

While they’ll eventually get better, the immediate future of the team is in doubt as Pau Gasol seems content on leaving in free agency this summer. But Kobe Bryant isn’t so quick to dismiss Gasol’s future with the Lakers and actually says the exact opposite is true.

If Gasol returns to the Lakers, it will show the most absolute purest form of loyalty we’ve ever seen in professional sports as no player has been mistreated as much as Gasol without demanding a trade or release. Gasol’s tumultuous relationship with the Lakers is part of his legacy and it’s oddly part of what makes him the player he is on the court.

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