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LOS ANGELES — When Pau Gasol joined the Los Angeles Lakers simply over 15 years in the past, the Spanish 7-footer banished his ego, redoubled his work ethic and instantly turned this crew into contenders who ultimately turned champions.
Gasol and Kobe Bryant did all of it collectively, and their numbers now grasp facet by facet within the Lakers’ area.
The Lakers retired Gasol’s No. 16 jersey Tuesday night time, honoring the genteel huge man who spent the most effective seasons of his 18-year NBA profession with Bryant in Los Angeles.
The Lakers reached three straight NBA Finals after Gasol’s arrival in February 2008, successful championships in 2009 and 2010.
“I feel I’ve executed pretty much as good as I may to essentially embrace it and savor it, however tonight actually exceeds any dream or expectation that I’ve had,” Gasol stated earlier than the sport whereas sporting one championship ring on every hand. “It means a lot, and clearly with Kobe up there, it simply provides one thing significant and highly effective and unhappy and comfortable and painful and joyful. It’s a variety of issues.”
Gasol’s banner was unveiled throughout a halftime ceremony that started with Bryant’s widow, Vanessa, introducing a video wherein an excited Kobe stated he was trying ahead to the day when Gasol gave a speech at middle court docket throughout his jersey retirement.
Gasol choked up whereas watching the video and standing in that precise spot, wiping tears from his eyes earlier than he spoke to the gang.
“I’m simply overwhelmed to see the faces right here, all of you,” Gasol stated. “It’s been my honor to put on this jersey, to play for this franchise and to assist this crew. … I might have by no means in one million years believed a day like this might come. It simply tells you to by no means say by no means. Simply push your self each day to be the most effective that you may be.”
Gasol’s versatile sport complemented Bryant’s scoring prowess completely when Gasol determined to be a supporting participant to a fellow famous person, and the 2 additionally shaped a deep off-court friendship that endured to Bryant’s demise in 2020.
Gasol thanked Vanessa Bryant throughout his speech: “Love you, sister. I’m proud to be your brother, and proud to be an uncle to your ladies.”
This 17-time NBA champion franchise sometimes solely retires the numbers of gamers within the Corridor of Fame, and Gasol is a first-time finalist for the consideration this yr with a robust probability of constructing the reduce.
Gasol made three of his six profession All-Star groups throughout his time with Los Angeles whereas averaging 17.7 factors and 9.9 rebounds per sport.
“The thrill, the anticipation, the consideration obtained, it’s simply so huge that it’s been onerous to essentially take it in,” Gasol stated. “I’ve to maintain reminding myself that it’s a celebration. It’s nice. It’s beautiful. It’s simply nice that you may expertise this in your life.”
The 42-year-old Gasol stated he struggled to sleep over the previous few days whereas he thought in regards to the enormity of the Lakers’ gesture amid the still-strong recollections of his years on the West Coast.
The crew scheduled the ceremony for halftime of the Lakers’ sport towards the Memphis Grizzlies.
Gasol selected Tuesday night time for his Lakers jersey retirement for an excellent motive: He performed his first seven NBA seasons with the Grizzlies, his first crew after he moved stateside in 2001.
Memphis traded Gasol to the Lakers in February 2008, and the deal remodeled each franchises: Whereas Gasol and Bryant instantly shaped a dominant partnership, Memphis acquired a bundle that included Gasol’s youthful brother, Marc, who went on to have 11 largely wonderful seasons with the Grizzlies.
Gasol’s dad and mom, his brothers Marc and Adrià, Vanessa Bryant and Lakers proprietor Jeanie Buss joined Gasol and his spouse on the court docket.
Gasol was solely the second Spanish participant in NBA historical past and the primary to win a hoop, and he believes his lengthy, profitable profession contributed to erasing the stereotype of the “comfortable” European participant.
Gasol famous that three Europeans now are arguably the highest three gamers within the league: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokic and Luka Doncic.
“I’m proud to see that,” Gasol stated. “That evokes not solely European youngsters, however gamers internationally. Give your self an opportunity when you actually need it. It’s been nice to see the sport develop globally.”
Gasol’s jersey represents the thirteenth quantity retired by the Lakers honoring 12 gamers. Bryant’s early-career No. 8 and late-career No. 24 are each retired.
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