Lakers News: Pau Gasol Details Logistics Following His 2008 Trade To LA

It was all a blur!

Kobe Bryant made it very clear that if it wasn't for the elite production Pau Gasol brought forth, the Los Angeles Lakers would not have won their two championships in 2009 and 2010. There were not a whole lot of NBA players that could handle the grind and dedication to the game it took to successfully play alongside the Black Mamba but Gasol formed an excellent partnership with him and their games complimented each other well.

With Gasol finally being inducted to the hall of fame, the basketball world has been looking back to his prime days and the style that brought with him to the NBA still holds up strong today. The Spanish big man always had a soft touch around the rim and even with his back to the basket, he still was able to find teammates cutting to the rim for easy buckets.

His early days with the Memphis Grizzlies allowed fans to see the potential he had within him but Gasol has admitted that playing on a bigger stage in LA with Bryant allowed him to truly blossom into a star. In a recent interview with the Los Angeles Times, Gasol spoke on the blockbuster 2008 trade that sent him to the purple and gold and how he first got in touch with Bryant.

"I met the team the next day, but Kobe wanted to see me that same night after I talked to the media in D.C. Kobe obviously gave me the welcome and gave me the message: ‘Happy you’re here, but let’s go win. Let’s go win us a ring.’ That was music to my ears. But obviously he set the tone. He gave me that thing of this is how it’s going to be. It’s not about making the playoffs. It’s not about let’s give ourselves a chance. None of that. ‘We are here and you’re here for us to win a ring, to win a championship. Let’s do it. Have a good night.’ I said, ‘All right, I’m in.’ He got me."

(Via LA Times)

The rest of their partnership is history but every time we look at back any of those highlights from their championship seasons, it's always great watching Gasol go to work down low.

Are you following us on Twitter, Facebook, or YouTube yet? Join the conversation as we discuss the latest Lakers news and rumors with fans like you!