“Im running through Pau’s f—— chest.” This is how Kobe set the tone for the 2008 Olympics against Spain. The Redeem Team was formed, bringing some of the elite players onto the roster, players who were also rivals on the court and would now play alongside some of their former teammates. Such was the case with Kobe Bryant and his former teammate. That year, Team USA took home the Gold and won back their glory. Now, as the Redeem Team prepares for their well-deserved Hall of Fame induction, it’s fascinating to note that even amidst this celebration of collective achievement, the spirit of sportsmanship and community continues to shine through, as evidenced by Pau Gasol’s recent heartwarming efforts off the court.
The Gasol Foundation recently teamed up with the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation to hold a special event for children’s well-being and to promote healthy habits. Founded on the principles of fighting childhood obesity and promoting healthy lifestyles, the Gasol Foundation, established by Pau and Marc Gasol, consistently works to improve the health and wellness of children through various programs and initiatives. The 2x NBA champ, Pau Gasol, and his brother Marc Gasol founded the organization in 2013. The former Lakers player was present at the event to share his insights, and also participated in a relay race with the kids!
The latest post by the foundation’s Instagram page shared some highlights of the Spanish player interacting with the kids. They reshared the post on their Story with a wholesome message, which Gasol also shared to his Story. “Thank you, Pau Gasol, for always leading by example and reminding us of our reason for doing the work we do. Let’s continue to inspire others and build a healthier future,” the story read.
This comes hot on the heels of the announcement that the Redeem Team, against whom Gasol played nearly 17 years ago, is being inducted into the Hall of Fame. Former coach Mike Krzyzewski recalled how Team USA was playing to regain their nation’s faith after their back-to-back losses. That particular game, against such a formidable opponent as Team Spain with Gasol as a key player, was instrumental. This honor is a celebration of every player from that game.
It’s a poignant moment, as the basketball world celebrates that intense Olympic rivalry and the ultimate triumph of the Redeem Team, while Pau Gasol simultaneously demonstrates the enduring spirit of sportsmanship and giving back to the community he embraced in Los Angeles. Redeem Team’s game against Spain for the gold medal was one of the toughest, with even Gasol admitting how they made it difficult.
Pau Gasol recounted the 2008 Olympics game for the gold medal
That game is still considered one of the best in basketball history. Since their start at the Olympics that year, Team USA made an impression – they meant business. The Redeem Team won every game by at least 20 points. And when they faced Spain, they were expected to win in similar fashion. However, the Spanish team were made of similar grit and hardly made it easy.
Gasol was the top scorer of the tournament. He even admitted that Team USA were at their best and might have been an even better team than the Dream Team of 1992. “I remember it being a huge fight. Very competitive and very physical throughout. We pushed them to have to play their best,” Gasol said.
The former Los Angeles Lakers player was just 12 years old when he watched the 1992 Dream Team play at the Olympics in Barcelona. He was awestruck and made up his mind that he would one day compete with these players on a global platform. And 2008 was the time when he had one of the biggest competition. It was February of that year when he joined the Lakers. He watched Kobe and knew it. “Kobe came and they brought their ‘A’ Team. I think that was probably as good or better than the original Dream Team,” Gasol said.
Nov 2, 2010; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) and center Pau Gasol (16) embrace during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies at the Staples Center. The Lakers defeated the Grizzlies 124-105. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports
Gasol had 21 points to lead the team. Bryant finished with 20 points and three rebounds, shooting 50% from the field. “We gave them a run for their money,” he said before praising Bryant and the Redeem team.
Of course, over time, Gasol and Kobe went on to become great friends and then brothers. Bryant encouraged Gasol to play better in the Olympics and even after that. He brought the gold medal in the locker room, brandishing it in front of the Spanish legend to motivate him. It worked again! This duo of Bryant and Gasol went on to win two back-to-back championships!
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