Emotional Pau Gasol Opens up on Helping Kobe Bryant Recover From a Post- Shaquille O’Neal Lakers

Whenever someone talks about the Los Angeles Lakers, some names need to be taken into consideration. One of them is Kobe Bryant. The 5 time NBA title is widely regarded as the best Laker ever and he formed a super duo with another NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal.

Although Kobe and Shaq’s duo was nothing less than legendary, it did not last long. Shaq played for the Lakers from 1996 to 2004 when he joined the Miami Heat. Although losing Shaq was devastating, Kobe found another confidante in Paul Gasol.

The Spaniard joined the Lakers during a rough patch and helped them turn around the situation. When asked about his move to the Lakers, Gasol reflected on how Kobe clicked with him for the get-go.

Paul Gasol talks about Kobe Bryant

There is no doubt Kobe Bryant is one of the greatest players ever. The Los Angeles Lakers legend won 5 NBA titles among other individual accolades with the Lakers. 

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Having said so, one of the most underrated players for the Lakers was Pau Gasol. He joined the Lakers from the Memphis Grizzlies and quickly turned into one of Kobe’s most trusted players. Talking about his relationship with Kobe and his move to the Lakers, he had a lot to say. 

He said, ” I think he was excited from the beginning. He acknowledged as a smart man from the beginning that that was his chance. That was gonna be his shot to try to win it again. From the very moment that I joined the team in Washington where I got to the hotel around 1 AM and the team was playing in the noon the next day, he hooked me from the very first moment, “Hey, whenever you get to the hotel, whenever you are done with your interviews, call me, I’m coming up to your room.” 

Gasol added, “So, I got the hotel, got through the interviews, I texted him. He came up and from the very beginning, he’s like, look I’m very happy that you’re here, I’m very excited that you are here but now let’s go win a title.“

He went on to win the NBA title twice, with Kobe Bryant consecutively in 2009 and 2010. Moreover, his stats for the team are phenomenal. Gasol averaged 17.7 points, 3.5 assists, and 9.9 rebounds. Playing with Kobe, he averaged 16.9 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 3.4 assists in 89 games.

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What is your favorite memory of Kobe Bryant? Let us know in the comments below.