Nick Friedell, ESPN Staff Writer 9y

Gasol: 'Special' to play vs. brother in ASG

CHICAGO -- Even Pau Gasol is having a hard time believing that he and his brother Marc will be starting in the All-Star Game together next month in New York City.

Pau, who plays for the Chicago Bulls in the Eastern Conference, and Marc, who plays for the Memphis Grizzlies in the West, were voted into the game as starters by the fans, and become the first pair of brothers to start in the All-Star Game.

"It's incredibly special," Pau said after the Bulls' 104-81 win over the San Antonio Spurs. "It's overwhelming. It's a huge honor. It's just beyond our selves, individuals, so it's a very exciting moment. Unforgettable, memorable, historical, you name it. You can use as many words and adjectives as you want.

"So right now we're very thrilled, we're overwhelmed, and we're happy and thankful to everyone that supports us, the fans that have voted for us. Our teams, our organizations -- so it's just a beautiful moment to live and go through as an NBA player."

Pau, who signed with the Bulls over the summer, has talked in recent weeks about how much it would mean to him to start an All-Star Game. He has been one of the Bulls' most important players all season, averaging 18.7 points and 11.4 rebounds.

"In following his career and watching him, I knew how talented he was," Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said before Thursday's game. "And what a high skill level he had. I know the last couple years he battled through some things, but I could see this summer how highly motivated he was, and I think that was important for him. I think he came into camp in great shape, he hit the ground running and he really hasn't stopped since. He's been terrific, practices hard every day, and it shows."

Derrick Rose is glad to see the Bulls' big man get some recognition for his play.

"[It's] great, man," Rose said. "It's a huge accomplishment, especially for someone like him. The way that he's been playing, he deserves it right now. He's been playing his butt off, and I think everyone on the team is happy for him."

Thibodeau praised the 34-year-old Gasol for his leadership qualities.

"I've always said the best type of leadership is doing the right things every day, and he does that," Thibodeau said. "But basically, he comes in every day, he's going to give a good honest day's work every day. And then he's experienced just about everything there is to experience. So I think he handles things well. But the most important thing are the things that he does. I think players look at that and they say, 'That's a person I can follow.' "

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