Inside The Heat

Miami Heat’s Jimmy Butler Honored Pau Gasol at His Lakers Jersey Retirement Ceremony

Gasol’s jersey was retired Tuesday night.

Jayden Armant

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The Los Angeles Lakers officially retired Pau Gasol’s No. 16 jersey in the Crypto.com Arena Tuesday night against the Memphis Grizzlies. He became the 12th Laker to have his jersey number retired. Many congratulated Gasol on this feat, including Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler.

“I’m here because of Pau obviously,” Butler said. “Congratulations to my brother Pau! Love you man, much deserved. Hall of Fame coming soon, we all know it. Appreciate you for having me, my brother.”

Butler and Gasol were teammates with the Chicago Bulls from 2014 to 2016.

During his time in Los Angeles, Gasol collected three All-Star selections and won two consecutive NBA Finals in 2009 and 2010. He averaged 17.7 points, 9.9 rebounds and 3.5 assists in his seven seasons with the Lakers but was most prominent for being the No. 2 player to Kobe Bryant on those championship teams. Gasol’s jersey was hung next to the late Bryant to show the on-court and personal bond the two had before Bryant’s passing.

“I can’t go on without talking about the person and the face that I don’t see,” Gasol said. “The brother that elevated me, and inspired me to be a better player and a better man overall. I miss him so much like many of us do. I love him and I wish he was here with GiGi right now. But I think he’ll be proud, and he was looking forward to this moment. I love you brother.”

Jayden Armant is a contributor to Inside the Heat. He is a student at Howard University. He can be reached at jayden.armant@bison.howard.edu or follow him on Twitter @jaydenarmant.

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Jayden Armant
JAYDEN ARMANT

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