It’s hard to imagine the Lakers without their legendary Kobe-Shaq duo, but after their split, the team faced tough times. Despite Kobe Bryant’s brilliance, the Lakers couldn’t break past the first round for three straight seasons. Then came 2008, and with it, a game-changer: Pau Gasol. The skilled big man helped propel the Lakers to three consecutive Finals, securing two championships. While the end of his tenure with the Lakers wasn’t the best, he presented some ideas for his former team to end their 4-year championship drought.

In his seven seasons with the Lakers, Gasol made quite an impact. He joined with great enthusiasm, stating, “It didn’t get any better than this.” Teaming up with Bryant, the Lakers grabbed back-to-back championships. However, Gasol’s time in LA didn’t end on the best terms. His role on the team came into question, leading to his departure. He moved on to the Chicago Bulls, hoping for another shot at a ring, but the love for LA never faded.

Despite that, even a decade later, Gasol’s loyalty to the Lakers remains strong. During an interview with Sports Illustrated, he was asked, “What do the Lakers need to do in order to return to regular championship contention, as they were when you were on the roster?” And for Gasol, the Lakers will be always a contender for the title.

He also added, “They have to become a great defensive team, or establish themselves as a great defensive team, because that’s what’s going to separate them from their competitors.” But for him, the biggest factor is health and fitness.

“They also have to stay healthy,” he emphasized. The core players have chemistry, but Gasol stressed in the interview that health will be the “biggest difference-maker” in the new season. The Spanish icon also didn’t hold back in addressing another issue: the importance of role players. Last season, the Lakers struggled, and Gasol noted that this lack of quality depth made a big difference, something that wasn’t an issue during his playing days with the franchise.

Pau Gasol came in as a savior of the franchise

After Shaquille O’Neal’s departure, the Lakers found themselves struggling to fill the void. However, things turned around when they struck a deal with the Memphis Grizzlies, bringing Pau Gasol to Los Angeles. Gasol’s arrival lightened Kobe Bryant’s load, finally giving him the help he needed. This move wasn’t just about adding talent—it was about restoring the Lakers’ championship hopes. And it worked.

Gasol didn’t take long to make an impact. In his first season, the Lakers made it back to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2004. But the dream fell short as the Celtics beat them in six games. The very next year, the Lakers were back in the Finals. This time, they faced future Lakers star Dwight Howard and the Orlando Magic. With Gasol and Bryant clicking on all cylinders, they took care of business in five games, securing Kobe’s first title post Shaq’s departure. Gasol’s brilliance didn’t stop there—he was pivotal again in 2010 as the Lakers went back-to-back.

Just last year, Gasol was visibly emotional as the Lakers raised his jersey to the rafters, placing it right beside Kobe Bryant’s. During the ceremony, he gave a heartfelt speech, thanking the Lakers and the fans for the incredible honor. He also took a moment to thank Vanessa Bryant, telling her he loves her and is “proud to be an uncle” to her “lovely girls.”

Gasol then turned to the crowd at the Crypto.com Arena and spoke about Kobe, saying, “I can’t go on without talking about the person and the face that I don’t see,” referring to his late friend. He described Kobe as the one who pushed him to be a “better player” and “a better man overall.” Gasol expressed his love for Kobe with a heartfelt, “I love you, brother.” He might have left the franchise a decade ago, but his presence can still be felt.