“Can’t Put Him Up There”: Controversial Take on Kobe Bryant’s Iconic Lakers Teammate Draws Mixed Reactions From NBA Fans

Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol were a formidable partnership. They played for six and a half seasons together. Kobe won the MVp in the 2007-08 season, but he gave a lot of credit to Paul Gasol for that season. Even in seasons to come, the Los Angeles Lakers won two consecutive NBA championships in the next 2 years. The double in the years 2008-09 and 2009-10 was because of the unbreakable partnership of Kobe and Pau.

Kobe, in many terms, was like Michael Jordan. His attitude, arrogance, his drive and desire to win every time and against everyone made him intimidating. Obviously NOT speaking from experience, but as former players and NBA superstars recall, Kobe was more friendly than Michael Jordan. And that is why he formed a tremendous relationship with Pau Gasol on and off the court.

The duo knew each other and wanted to play with each other long before they actually did. When they met a year before the trade in Barcelona, they were both unhappy with teams they were in. Moreover, they wanted to play together and the only way that could have happened was Pau joining the Lakers.

Read more: Pau Gasol reveals how Kobe was close to leaving Lakers at one stage.

The Spanish center had an amazing time with the Lakers, and he fit right in. He was the perfect support for Kobe at the time.

Does Pau Gasol deserve the honor of retiring his jersey for the time with Kobe Bryant in Lakers?

It is no doubt that with the speed and style of teams ever changing in the NBA, Kobe needed someone to be the supporting role for him and the Lakers. Even more so, he needed the second protagonist. Kobe and Shaq bossed the NBA, but it ended in 2004. Kobe and the Lakers had to wait 4 more years to have someone be on the front foot for them. Pau Gasol was the man for the job. But how does he rank in the list of Lakers legends? Does he deserve to have his jersey retired by the Lakers? NBA fans give a mixed reaction.

WATCH THIS STORY: Kobe’s best teammates featuring Pau Gasol, Shaq and more.

Pau Gasol was iconic with Kobe Bryant. But the fact remains that he was that iconic because of the partnership with Kobe. If Kobe had actually left, and it was Gasol in the Lakers, would he have won two consecutive NBA championships without Kobe? Would he have been iconic then? While that is hypothetical because we saw the duo flourish but the question remains. Does Pau Gasol deserve the honor of getting his jersey retired by the Lakers?