Vanessa Bryant posts sweet message to Kobe's dear friend Pau Gasol's 2 year old

Pau Gasol and his family have remained close to the Bryants, especially after the tragic passing of the Los Angeles Lakers legend and his daughter Gianna.

March 7, 2023: Pau Gasol embraces Vanessa Bryant during his jersey retirement ceremony at halftime in the NBA. / IMAGO / ZUMA Press Wire

It can be argued that without Pau Gasol, the legend of Kobe Bryant doesn't take on mythic status.

The duo were the centerpieces of the post-Shaq world that brought the Los Angeles Lakers back-to-back championships in 2009-2010. Gasol, 44, with his wife Catherine and their two children also have become like family with the the Bryants, and that bond grew even stronger with the tragic passing of Kobe and his daughter Gianna.

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March 7, 2023: Pau Gasol embraces Vanessa Bryant during his jersey retirement ceremony at halftime in the NBA. / IMAGO / ZUMA Press Wire

Bryant's widow Vanessa Bryant, along with daughters Natalia, Bianka, and Capri has made it a point to keep the families close, and Gasol has naturally taken on an even more active role in supporting the Bryant children especially.

So with his youngest son Max turning 2 today (the Gasols are expecting their third child next summer), Mrs. Bryant, 42, posted on Instagram a sweet birthday message. (The Bryants' oldest daughter, Natalia, 21, celebrated the Gasols' birth announcement too recently.)

"Happy 2nd birthday, Max! We love you so much ! 😘❤️," Bryant wrote with an adorable photo of the two of them together.

Vanessa Bryant/Instagram

Speaking of Natalia, she's definitely coming into her own as a student at USC and aspiring model, making both Vanessa and the Gasols extremely proud.

RELATED: Kobe Bryant's daughter Natalia stuns with USC sorority look

Vanessa Bryant/Instagram

Kobe's legend lives on with his daughters, the Gasols, the wildly successful Nike line, and his lasting impact in the Los Angeles community especially.

Happy birthday Max!

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