The Penmanship of Pau Gasol: A Signing Session with the L.A. Lakers’ Big Man

March 13, 2011

Twenty-four hours before his impressive performance Saturday night against the Dallas Mavericks, Pau Gasol, the Los Angeles Lakers’ soft-spoken 7-footer, was tucked away in a wine cellar deep in the bowels of a posh Dallas hotel for a clandestine signing session with Panini America.

It should be noted that Gasol — who scored 18 points and grabbed five rebounds in the Lakers’ 96-91 victory over the Mavericks on Saturday night — is just as capable of stealing the show with a pen in his right hand as he is clutching a basketball.

Gasol, a true gentleman with a deft and efficient signing touch, made quick work of the three stacks of cards requiring his poignant penmanship, including some that featured Gasol and teammates Kobe Bryant and Lamar Odom. (For the record, Bryant made his way down to the wine cellar minutes later for a signing session of his own. Stay tuned to The Knight’s Lance for exclusive video from Bryant’s session.)

For now, enjoy this brief interview with Gasol, shot just minutes before he finished signing and ascended from the wine cellar with Chip Schaefer, the Lakers’ Director of Athletic Performance and Player Development, presumably for a Friday night workout.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzSlOQKjGGs&w=480&h=390]