Pau Gasol shares emotional Kobe Bryant, Lakers story in Hall of Fame speech

When Pau Gasol arrived in Washington D.C. to hitch the Lakers, it was already after midnight. 

He’d simply been traded from the Grizzlies to Los Angeles on Feb. 1 — a commerce that “modified my life and my profession,” he stated Saturday on the Basketball Corridor of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony — and the group had a sport towards the Wizards at midday Feb. 3, however Kobe Bryant, Gasol’s new teammate, insisted on assembly the middle.

“He was texting me, saying, ‘Hey, I wish to come by your room, and I wish to welcome you, wish to say hiya, wish to welcome you to the group?” Gasol recalled. “I stated, ‘It’s going to be late. It’s gonna be like previous 1 a.m. You certain you don’t wish to watch for tomorrow?’”

Bryant insisted, and when Gasol arrived the Lakers’ star welcomed him, stated he’s comfortable concerning the commerce and knowledgeable Gasol that their purpose was to win a title collectively. 

Gasol responded by saying: “I’m in” earlier than they departed.

“That was it,” Gasol stated. “No crap. Straight to the chase.”

That fashioned the inspiration of their relationship that included a pair of championships the following two seasons, and their bond was evident at Gasol’s Corridor of Fame ceremony Saturday night time when he talked about Bryant — who died, along with his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and six others, in a helicopter crash in January 2020 — and shared the anecdote from their overlap with the Lakers.

“I do know some individuals within the league have been upset concerning the commerce, but it surely occurred, proper, and that’s the place I received to know the one who elevated my sport like no different,” Gasol stated. “Who taught me what it took to win on the highest degree. Who confirmed me how arduous you needed to work and the mentality you wanted to have so as to be the very best. The dedication you needed to make. What it meant, and what it took, to be a frontrunner.”

Along with the 2 titles, Gasol made three All-Star Sport appearances through the six-plus years with Bryant, which ended when Gasol signed with the Bulls forward of the 2014-15 season.

Gasol averaged 17.7 factors and 9.9 rebounds per sport throughout these seasons with the Lakers.

Bryant spent his total profession — which continued after Gasol’s departure till his retirement following the 2014-15 marketing campaign — with the group.

Earlier this yr, when the Lakers retired Gasol’s jersey in March, the 7-foot middle, who stated in his Corridor of Fame speech that he anticipated to play small ahead till he saved rising and rising, grew to become emotional when his jersey was retired subsequent to Bryant’s within the rafters.

And Saturday night time, when Gasol joined Bryant in one other realm of basketball historical past, Bryant’s spouse, Vanessa, was in attendance too.

“I wouldn’t be right here with out you, brother,” Gasol stated Saturday, as his eyes glanced up. “I want greater than something that you just and [Gianna] have been right here immediately with us. I miss you and love you. Thanks. 

“Thanks, Vanessa, for being right here tonight.”