Home

NBA

‘Obsessiveness To Be The Best’: Lakers Legend Pau Gasol on How Kobe Bryant Inspired Him

Published 10/09/2021, 1:30 PM EDT

Follow Us

NBA Legend Pau Gasol recently announced his retirement from professional basketball. His partnership with Kobe Bryant was key for the Los Angeles Lakers winning two NBA championships. Playing with Bryant, Pau Gasol admits he learned a lot from him. Gasol recently explained how during his time at the Lakers, he realized Kobe was a “one of a kind” individual.

Gasol appeared for an online interview with NBA’s Europe division. He was reflecting upon his stellar career in the NBA when he talked about his time with Kobe Bryant. This is what he said about Kobe Bryant.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Pau Gasol reflects on his experience with Kobe Bryant

While reminiscing about his successful NBA career, Gasol spoke about Kobe Bryant. He said, “There’s not many other individuals that were more determined than Kobe was. His obsessiveness to be the best, his work ethic to be the best. He was determined more than anyone to really maximize his journey. And he showed that as a basketball player. He showed that after hanging it up, he saw no limits to his potential was kind of unparalleled.”

“Wrong and Disrespectful”: Lakers Fans Upset as Russell Westbrook Placed 13th in PG List

Further, he added, “He was just a great example, so much knowledge, so much inspiration. But he left us this great legacy, just a one-of-a-kind individual.”

Trending

Get instantly notified of the hottest NBA stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.

Follow Us

via Getty

Gasol shared a close relationship with Kobe and does so even now with the Bryant family. After Kobe’s unfortunate death, Pau, along with his family, booked a flight to California to be with Kobe’s family.

Watch This Story

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

How did Gasol and Kobe end up together at Lakers?

Since 2004, the Lakers had been searching for someone to fill the hole that Shaquille O’Neal left. For a while, they went with Kwame Brown, which wasn’t particularly popular with experts and fans. After a disappointing few seasons with that choice, the Lakers decided to move on from Kwame.

via Getty

Subsequently, the Los Angeles Lakers traded for Pau Gasol from the Memphis Grizzlies on February 1, 2008. In exchange, they gave Kwame Brown, Javar Crittenton, Marc Gasol, Aaron McKie, a 2008 first-round pick, and a 2010 first-round pick. The blockbuster acquisition gave Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers the second star he needed to compete for a ring.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Watch This Story: His Attempt to Recruit LeBron James to the Philadelphia 76ers, Wanting to Date Rihanna and Other Secrets About Joel Embiid You Must Know!

SHARE THIS ARTICLE :

Written by:

Chaitanya Dadhwal

506Articles

One take at a time

Chaitanya Dadhwal is an NBA writer at EssentiallySports. Even though his journalism is driven by his desire to understand both sides of an argument and give a neutral perspective, he is biased towards Houston Rockets and Arsenal, and he has shown exactly how loyal he can be through tough times. Currently a Law student at Jindal Global Law School, he aims to have his own sports management firm one day and enjoys rap music during his time off.
Show More>