Kobe Bryant’s Former Teammate Set To Join Shaquille O’Neal, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Wilt Chamberlain In The Elusive List Of 7 Ft Lakers Legends

The NBA has always been a game that has favored players with height. While not all 7 ft players make it as big as they can, there is always an added advantage. Having said that, it is not like players with lesser heights haven’t made it big. All the NBA means is talent. No matter the advantage of height, without talent the players can not be as big. There are only a number of people who have reached that height. And two of them turned out to be teammates of Kobe Bryant.

Kobe Bryant had two major partners during different stages of his career. Early on, when he started his career with the Lakers, he needed support for him to establish himself. And Shaquille O’Neal was perfect for Kobe’s career. He would have made the name for himself either way. But his duo with Shaq ended up being one of the best duos in NBA history. Another 7 ft guy who became Kobe’s ‘partner in crime’ later on in his career was the Spaniard Pau Gasol.

After winning 2 NBA championships in consecutive years, Pau Gasol became a Lakers legend automatically. So it is befitting for the Lakers to retire his jersey. The no. 16 jersey will be retired in a special ceremony, most possibly in the next season.

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

Pau Gasol became only the 4th 7 ft Lakers legend after Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Shaquille O’Neal to have his jersey retired by the franchise. Gasol has always been one of the most underrated players in NBA history. However, this shows how much value he holds for the Lakers. He now belongs in the elite company, along with three other NBA legends who made it big with the Lakers.

Kobe Bryant & Shaquille O’Neal vs Kobe Bryant & Pau Gasol

There is no doubt that Kobe’s partnership with Shaq was better than that with Gasol. But the Lakers retiring Gasol’s jersey makes you wonder how important he turned out to be for them. When Shaq and Kobe started their time with the Lakers in 1996, the team was in transition. 18-year-old Kobe knew that he and a 7 ft giant entering his career would tear the NBA apart.

With the change in coaching, they achieved the three-peat in which Shaq was at the peak of his powers. Although Kobe was still young, he was a player who could win games singlehandedly, so with Shaq it became easier for him as well.

Fast forward to 2004, Shaq left Kobe and the Lakers due to many reasons. Kobe was the only “big” name on the team for quite a few years. And there was a point when Kobe wanted a different challenge in his life. He had not won the NBA title without Shaq and wished to leave the Lakers.

WATCH THIS STORY: Kobe’s best teammates featuring O’Neal and Gasol.

The Lakers were adamant to keep him. So they understood Kobe and Gasol’s desire to play together. Moreover, they studied the possibility of signing the 7 ft Spaniard and eventually traded him in. In the process, they managed to keep Kobe happy, and the duo won two NBA titles in a row.

Pau Gasol was an electric player. He was the best second fiddle for Kobe. At that point in his career, he needed the supporting cast and Pau was perfect for him. Moreover, for the Lakers, he probably became the reason why Kobe stayed. So it is absolutely befitting to put him in the elite company of Wilt, Kareem, and Shaq. All in all, a Lakers legend.