Being a star pro basketballer involves more than just being the best on the hardwood. It\u2019s about being a leader off court, which often involves engaging in acts of kindness, like taking the team out for a trip, or at the very least, buying them all dinner. Pau Gasol took this role seriously, as Derrick White, his former teammate, recently revealed his classic \u2018veteran\u2019 moment.<\/p>\n
Long before becoming a cult-hero at the Celtics<\/a>, White was drafted by the San Antonio Spurs<\/a> in 2017, which was also when Gasol was with the team. During one particular team dinner at a steakhouse, second-year player Bryn Forbes was the one tasked with paying the bill, just for fun, as often happens between the richer NBA talents.<\/p>\n But Forbes, still early in his career, was likely not a multimillionaire like Gasol, Manu Ginobili<\/a>, and Co. So, the Spaniard, showing class, stepped in, as White narrated on the White\u00a0Noise\u00a0podcast.<\/p>\n \u201cWe had a team dinner, and there was a joke where Bryn was going to pay for it, and Pau was like, \u2018No.\u2019 Bryn was second year at the time. He\u2019s like, \u2018You would never pay for a dinner. This is my responsibility as the vet.\u2019 That was cool,\u201d recalled White.<\/p>\n NBA teams don\u2019t go to ordinary steakhouses for dinners. Their outings end up costing thousands of dollars, if not more, which is why Gasol realized just how difficult it would be for someone like Bryn. Hence, he pulled the vet card.<\/p>\n