Gasol, delighted with the withdrawal of his number with the Lakers

LOS ANGELES (AP) — When Pau Gasol arrived with the Los Angeles Lakers just over 15 years ago, the 7-foot-1 Spanish center put his ego aside, doubled down on his work ethic and immediately turned this team into a title-winning contender.

Gasol and Kobe Bryant did it all together, and their jerseys now hang next to each other on the Lakers field.

The Lakers retired Gasol’s number 16 jersey on Tuesday in tribute to the center who spent the best seasons of his 18 NBA years with Bryant in Los Angeles. After the Spaniard arrived in February 2008, the team reached three consecutive finals and won the title in 2009 and 2010.

“I think I did everything I could to really enjoy it and savor it, but tonight is really beyond any dream or expectation I’ve ever had,” Gasol said before the game, a ring championship in each hand. “It means a lot and obviously (being) with Kobe up there is something meaningful and powerful and sad and happy and painful and joyful. It’s a lot of things.”

Gasol’s jersey banner was unveiled at a halftime ceremony that began with Bryant’s widow, Vanessa, showcasing a video in which an emotional Kobe said he was looking forward to the day Gasol gave a speech in the center of the ring during this act. Gasol was moved when he saw the recording and stood in the same spot and wiped away his tears before addressing the audience.

“I am overwhelmed to see their faces,” he said. “It’s been an honor to wear this jersey, to play for this franchise and to help this team (…) Not in a million years, I would have believed that a day like this would come. Teachers don’t never say never. You just have to push yourself every day to do your best.

Gasol’s versatile play perfectly complemented Bryant’s prowess when he decided to support his teammate, and the two forged a deep friendship off the court that lasted until Bryant’s tragic death in 2020.

The franchise, which holds 17 NBA titles, only withdraws the number of players inducted into the Hall of Fame, and Gasol is a finalist for the first time this year and has a strong chance of qualifying. Gasol was selected to three of the six All-Star Games he played during his time in Los Angeles, averaging 17.7 points and 9.9 rebounds per game.

“La emoción, la ilusión, el honor recibido, es tan grande que ha sido difícil de asimilar”, apuntó Gasol. “Tengo que seguir recordándome a mí mismo que esto es una celebración. Es fantastic. in your life”.

Gasol chose Tuesday night for the ceremony for a very good reason: he played his first seven NBA seasons with the Grizzlies, his first team after moving to the United States in 2001.

Memphis sold Gasol to the Lakers in February 2008 in a deal that transformed both franchises: While Gasol and Bryant immediately formed a dominating partnership, the Grizzlies received a package that included Gasol’s little brother, Marc , who spent 11 excellent seasons there.