Lakers News: How Kobe Bryant Helped Maximize Pau Gasol
Given his recent induction to the Basketball Hall of Fame, Los Angeles Lakers legend Pau Gasol mentioned that his success with the franchise would not have been possible without one of the best players of all time.
While many other players along the way deserve credit, none were more important to Gasol's run with the Purple and Gold than longtime teammate and Hall of Fame shooting guard Kobe Bryant.
“A critical role, I think a very unique role. He’s definitely one of the players that elevated me like no other. He pushed me to be not just one of the better power forwards in the league, but to become the best out there on a nightly basis during our time and our run together. I was very fortunate to be able to join the Lakers when I did, to have Kob as a teammate, as a mentor, as an older brother. I’m going to miss him tremendously during this day, as I do on a regular basis. But obviously when you get this type of honor, and when a person has played such a big role in you accomplishing it, you would love for him to be there.”
Gasol initially starred for the Memphis Grizzlies and was then traded, ironically for his brother Marc to the Lakers, his Laker career saw six straight playoff appearances alongside Bryant.
The highlight of this sustained playoff run was two rings back to back with Bryant as the second best player in series against the Magic and Celtics.
Game 7 in 2010 saw Bryant struggle from the field with a broken finger but Gasol's performance in the do or die sealed the Lakers' 16th championship in franchise history.
Gasol's jersey number, 16, was retired by the Lakers this past season and his jersey will hang next to Bryant's forever as teammates and more importantly, brothers for life.
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