Pau Gasol has gone through a rough stretch recently, returning to playing with a softness that drew criticism in the 2008 playoffs.

"Even when he was in Memphis and he was the go-to guy, he was always very nice," Kobe Bryant said of Gasol. "Very white swan. I need him to be black swan. Be an (expletive) sometimes."

"It definitely had a very positive effect on me that he approached me," Gasol said. "He let me know, 'Look, it starts with us. And I'll go, but you've got to go, too.' "

Bryant and Gasol have a closer emotional relationship than the shooting guard had with former teammate Shaquille O'Neal.

"Every time we communicate, it has a very good effect," Gasol said. "So that means we both are tuned in and we both try to get on the same page."