Pau Gasol on starting All-Star Game opposite Marc: 'It's incredibly special'

For the first time in NBA history, a pair of brothers will start opposite each other in the All-Star Game when Marc Gasol and Pau Gasol tip things off on Feb. 15.

That's good parenting. And good genes.

The rarity of the situation isn't lost on Pau, the older brother who will be appearing in his fifth All-Star Game.

"It's incredibly special," Pau said Thursday to Nick Friedell from ESPN. "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."

It's astonishing that a pair of brothers have risen to that level of the NBA, let alone it's top pivots in opposite conferences. Marc's Memphis Grizzlies are rolling along in the Western Conference at 30-12, the league's third best record, and Pau's Chicago Bulls are a respectable 28-16, a major threat to emerge from the Eastern Conference.

Pau has the longer track record, but it's baby bro who may have the upper hand statistically this season, at least when team context is considered.

The careers of the Spanish duo - poor youngest brother Adria Gasol is left out here - have always been intricately related.

Pau began his career in Memphis thanks to a draft-night trade in 2001, when the franchise was still in Vancouver. After five-and-a-half seasons with the Grizzlies, Pau was dealt to the Los Angeles Lakers. Going the other way as part of the return package was Marc, who was a second-round pick of the Lakers in 2007.

Marc was slower to find himself and make an impact than Pau, but both have posted terrific numbers as pros.

And now they'll join the Van Arsdale brothers in sibling history when they square off in the All-Star Game, as Marc's lone previous appearance in 2011-12 came during a season in which Pau didn't make the showcase.

"It's just a beautiful moment to live and go through as an NBA player," Pau said.