TWC SportsNet panel previews Pau Gasol’s return

Former Lakers center Pau Gasol returns to Staples Center with his new team, the Chicago Bulls, for the first time Thursday. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

Former Lakers center Pau Gasol returns to Staples Center with his new team, the Chicago Bulls, for the first time Thursday. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

Plenty of emotions swirl around the Lakers these days, and they do not just involve frustration over persistent losing and Kobe Bryant’s season-ending right shoulder injury.

Anticipation and sentimental emotions await for when Chicago Bulls forward Pau Gasol will play against the Lakers (12-24) tonight at Staples Center for the first time since leaving this offseason through free agency. Gasol already met against the Lakers on Christmas Day in Chicago, posting 23 points and 13 rebounds in a 113-93 win over his former team. But the circumstances in this game are different.

Time Warner Cable’s Access SportsNet where host Jaime Maggio, analyst Dave Miller and I preview Gasol’s return and outline what kind of reception he will receive after helping the Lakers to two NBA championships in 2009 and 2010.

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Follow L.A. Daily News Lakers beat writer Mark Medina on Twitter and on Facebook. E-mail him at mark.medina@langnews.com