The applause swelled as fans at Staples Center rose to their feet Thursday, generously welcoming back Pau Gasol and the memories of better times, of moments such as the one shown on the video board of Gasol leaning on the NBA championship trophy after one of the two titles he helped the Lakers win in his seven seasons here.
Gasol, touched by the reception, clapped and aimed two thumbs-up toward the crowd. Many fans wore T-shirts the Lakers gave them as they entered imprinted with the words "Thanks Pau" on the front and a list of his Lakers statistics on the back.
The opening notes of the theme from "Welcome Back, Kotter" played but were cut off, ending as abruptly as Gasol's Lakers career ended last summer when he signed with Chicago as a free agent for less money than the Lakers offered him to stay.