“He’ll always be with me, in every moment, not just basketball moments.” Those words from Pau Gasol say everything about his bond with Kobe Bryant. Even Kobe’s eldest daughter calls him “Uncle Pau.” That’s how deep their friendship ran. But what really sets Gasol apart? When the Lakers traded for him in 2008, he didn’t see playing second to Kobe as a step-down. He saw it as an honor. And man, did it pay off. The Lakers retired his No. 16 jersey, placing him alongside legends like Magic, Kareem, and, of course, Kobe. So, how great were they together?
Gasol wasn’t just a good teammate, he was exactly what the Lakers needed. The moment he arrived, Kobe knew he was the missing piece. And he was right. Gasol’s skill set- his passing, footwork, and basketball IQ, blended perfectly with Kobe’s relentless drive. The result? Three straight Finals appearances and back-to-back championships in 2009 and 2010. Without Gasol, what were the chances of that happening? Kobe would have his work cut out for him.
Gasol never imagined he’d form a bond this deep. But fate? It had other plans. Gasol recently revealed behind-the-scenes information about his first meeting with the late legend. The summer before the trade, Gasol ran into Kobe in Barcelona. Bryant, always thinking ahead, casually mentioned, “Hey, maybe we end up playing together.” At the time, Gasol thought it was unlikely, but just months later, he was wearing the purple and gold. Their chemistry was undeniable, from their initial late-night meeting in Washington, D.C., to securing back-to-back titles.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA JANUARY 29, 2013-Lakers Kobe Bryant bites his jersey while Pau Gasol shoots a free throw at the Staples Center Tuesday. (Photo by Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Kobe saw him as the final piece to dominate the league. “You’re the piece the league didn’t want me to have because they knew it was going to be a problem,” he told Gasol. He was right. The duo led the Lakers to greatness, proving that some partnerships are simply meant to be. Even Gasol recalled, “This wasn’t just a trade. This was about winning a championship”.
But the influence wasn’t just one-sided. It was Kobe Bryant’s support that helped secure Gasol’s place in the HOF too.
Gasol was the catalyst for Kobe’s second era of dominance. And now, as his jersey hangs beside Kobe’s, their story is cemented in Lakers history forever.
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