5 Things You May Not Know About Pau Gasol

Feb 12, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Chicago Bulls Pau Gasol (16) speaks during media day for the 2016 NBA All Star Game at Sheraton Centre. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

The San Antonio Spurs signed Pau Gasol to a two-year deal earlier in the week as their chances of landing Kevin Durant failed.

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You have to imagine the Spurs went hard with the meeting they had with Durant. Many would of loved to have him but knew it was a long shot to land him. According to souces, the team walked away pleased with its pitch. The Spurs took the process seriously, and who wouldn’t, it was a rare opportunity for a face-to-face meeting with one of the best players.

ESPN’s Michael Wright wrote on the Gasol signing. “The move makes sense, too, given the uncertainty regarding the possible return of future Hall of Famer Tim Duncan, who recently opted into his contract for the 2016-17 season yet hasn’t made a decision about whether to play or retire. With that uncertainty hovering and the fact that San Antonio long ago knew Duncan could be hanging it up, the Spurs — as they always do — started looking into contingency plans when mapping out their strategy for free agency”.

Gasol took to twitter on Tuesday to acknowledge he “is looking forward to this new chapter”.

During his 15 years in the NBA, he’s played for the Memphis Grizzlies, Los Angeles Lakers, and the last two years he spent with the Chicago Bulls. But there are some other facts that you may not know about Gasol. Here are five things you may or may not of known about the newest Spur.

Next: Gasol Brothers Make History

February 15, 2015; New York, NY, USA; Eastern Conference forward Pau Gasol of the Chicago Bulls (16) and Western Conference center Marc Gasol of the Memphis Grizzlies (33) during the second half of the 2015 NBA All-Star Game at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Pau Gasol and his younger brother Marc Gasol (Memphis Grizzlies) made history in the 2015 NBA All-Star Game when they both started at Madison Square Garden. The elder Gasol scoring 10 points while the younger finished with six.

Next: Olympic Star

Mar 21, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls center Pau Gasol (16) warms up before an NBA game against the Sacramento Kings at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

The Gasol brothers, like many NBA players have played for their native countries over the years for the Olympics. The two have been members of two Spanish teams that claimed silver medals in the 2008 and 2012 Summer Olympics.

Next: Memphis Grizzlies Leading Scorer

Mar 17, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls center Pau Gasol (left) talks with guard Jimmy Butler (right) during the second quarter against the Brooklyn Nets at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

Gasol started his NBA career with Memphis Grizzlies in 2001 and played 6 1/2 years with the team before he was traded to the Lakers. He averaged 19.1 points per game. He remains the leading scorer in Grizzlies’ history.

Next: His close friend is Kobe Bryant

Jan 28, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Chicago Bulls center Pau Gasol (16) and Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (24) shake hands prior to the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Gasol is a close friend of legendary former Lakers guard Kobe Bryant. The duo often spoke in Spanish while playing with the Lakers to keep opponents from knowing their plans. The two sparked a relationship during Gasol’s six years spent with the Lakers.

Next: He's an All-Star

Feb 13, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Eastern Conference center Pau Gasol of Chicago Bulls (16) gestures to the fans during practice for the NBA All Star game at Ricoh Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Pau Gasol spent the last two seasons with Chicago where he earned All-Star Game appearances in both seasons with the Bulls. In 2015 he was voted a started for the Eastern Conference.

Next: Tim Duncan's decision looms