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NBA, Basketball Herren, USA Dallas Mavericks at Los Angeles Lakers Apr 2, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard Kobe Bryant (24) smiles at power forward Pau Gasol (16) after he completed a triple double in the second half of the game against the Dallas Mavericks at the Staples Center. Lakers won 101-81. Los Angeles Staples Center CA USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xJaynexKamin-Oncea-USAxTODAYxSportsx 7201500
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NBA, Basketball Herren, USA Dallas Mavericks at Los Angeles Lakers Apr 2, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard Kobe Bryant (24) smiles at power forward Pau Gasol (16) after he completed a triple double in the second half of the game against the Dallas Mavericks at the Staples Center. Lakers won 101-81. Los Angeles Staples Center CA USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xJaynexKamin-Oncea-USAxTODAYxSportsx 7201500
Spaniards have left their mark on F1, no doubt. None more so than 42-year-old Fernando Alonso. But Spain has arguably conquered the whole world when it comes to other sports. Even the world of Basketball has had its fair share of Spaniards who have created a niche for themselves in the sport. One such icon of the Basketballing world is Pau Gasol. The LA Lakers man was instrumental in their 2009 and 2010 back-to-back championship wins. And yesterday, his exploits on the court earned him immortality.
Last night, during the Lakers v. Grizzlies game, the Lakers retired Gasol’s No. 16 jersey during the half-time show. Things were already emotional, however, according to Lakers Nation, “Things got even more teary-eyed when he took center court to address the fans with a heartfelt speech where he thanked Kobe Bryant, Phil Jackson, his former teammates, his family and everyone else affiliated with the franchise.”
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Spanish Pau Gasol poses during a press conference, PK, Pressekonferenz prior to the LA Lakers vs Memphis Grizzlies game at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, CA, USA, 7 March 2023. Pau Gasol s Jersey Retirement Ceremony at Halftime. Pau Gasol s press conference ACHTUNG: NUR REDAKTIONELLE NUTZUNG PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xPhillipxKimx AME477 20230308-2d179dee486b737dae58d4085c2da64a81fcb912
Even Kobe Bryant had once predicted this happening. And in the aftermath, one Spanish sporting legend was congratulated by another. Fernando Alonso took to his Instagram account to share his reaction. He posted a picture of Gasol, and wrote, “Holy Sh*t @paugasol. Legend.” [translated via Google Translate]
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Read More: Bitter After Humiliating Defeat, Lewis Hamilton Steals Credit From Fernando Alonso With Brutal Jab
Alonso himself is on a roll. And as things stand, he’s about to set a lot of records in 2023.
The F1 records Fernando Alonso could break in 2023
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Fernando Alonso and Aston Martin have started 2023 in strong fashion. The Silverstone-based team is arguably the second-fastest team on the grid currently, as evidenced by Alonso’s podium at Bahrain last week.
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F1 Bahrain Grand Prix Fernando Alonso of Aston Martin Aramco at the podium after the Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix at Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, Bahrain on March 5, 2023. Sakhir Bahrain PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxFRA Copyright: xJakubxPorzyckix originalFilename:porzycki-f1bahrai230305_np9ZX.jpg
According to RacingNews365.com, “At 41 years-old Alonso would become the first driver since Nigel Mansell to win a race at that age.” However, “he would have to hang on for another 12 years before he broke the record of ‘Oldest Grand Prix Winner’ set by Luigi Fagioli in 1951.”
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Can Fernando Alonso do the unthinkable and beat Max Verstappen for his 3rd F1 title?
