Pau Gasol looks back on his relationship with Kobe Bryant - “I didn’t come here to get into any kind of battle with him”
LA Lakers legend Pau Gasol recently sat down for an interview with Spectrum SportsNet's Chris Geeter. Ahead of the legend's jersey retirement ceremony, Gasol shared a few memories while recounting his relationship with his teammate, the late great Kobe Bryant.
Pau Gasol was one of the Lakers' pivotal players during their championship runs in 2009 and 2010. As one of the most skilled big men of all time, Gasol contributed to the team's winning effort on both occasions. Gasol's tenure as a Laker rightfully earned him multiple All-Star honors as well.
As a two-time champion with the Purple and Gold, Gasol was also an essential element in solidifying the legacy of Lakers legend Kobe Bryant. The two combined to form one of the most potent duos in the NBA at the time.
The two shared the floor as teammates on the Lakers and as opponents on the world stage. In this regard, Gasol and Bryant shared a very deep relationship.
Ahead of Gasol's jersey retirement ceremony, the Spanish big man shared his experiences with the Lakers and of laying alongside Kobe Bryant. When asked about seeing his jersey hanging from the rafters next to Kobe's, Gasol expressed his emotions on the situation by saying:
"Overbearing. Hard to contain. I can only picture and imagine it. There's a strong feeling that I would have loved for him to be there in person, not just in spirit. But it just adds another huge emotional component to it."
Chris Geeter then asked Gasol why the two hit it off both on and off the court. Gasol responded by saying:
"We just complimented each other well. He brought a unique edge, work ethic and dedication to the game. He appreciated my IQ, my understanding of the game, my ability to catch the ball, having good hands and being able to make plays for myself and my teammates. It kind of balanced what he brought to the table."
"I didn't come here to get into any kind of battle with him. I just wanted to help the team win championships."
.@paugasol goes one-on-one with @geeter3 to talk about his jersey retirement, his time with the #Lakers and relationship with Kobe. https://t.co/mBFqAsBOjS
Gasol certainly succeeded in his goal of helping the Lakers win championships. By turning the team into title contenders immediately upon arrival midway through the 2007-08 season, it was evident that Pau was a special presence on the floor.
Although the Purple and Gold came up short in the 2008 Finals, the team wouldn't have to wait long to taste championship success.
Pau Gasol's resume with the LA Lakers
Pau Gasol was drafted as the third overall pick in the 2001 draft by the Atlanta Hawks. However, Gasol found himself on the Memphis Grizzlies shortly after. Gasol's NBA journey started with the Grizzlies and he made a name for himself with the team by earning his first All-Star selection in 2006.
After a trade midway through the 2007-08 season, the Spaniard joined forces with Kobe Bryant to take the LA Lakers to the NBA Finals. In the following years, Gasol and Bryant turned the Lakers into a force to be reckoned with.
Gasol's tenure as a Laker saw him win two titles and earn three All-Star selections. In the span of time, he averaged 17.8 points, 9.8 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game.
Although the last segment of his Lakers career was plagued by injury, Gasol carved out a special place in the hearts of Lakers fans.
After his departure in 2014, Pau Gasol briefly played for the Chicago Bulls, San Antonio Spurs and the Milwaukee Bucks. He retired from the NBA after the 2019-20 season without playing a single game due to injury.
Read: 5 reasons why Pau Gasol is a first-ballot future NBA Hall of Famer