Pau Gasol emotionally thanked Los Angeles Lakers and NBA legend Kobe Bryant during his Hall of Fame speech. Gasol and Bryant were very close friends. The two basketball icons helped the Lakers win back-to-back titles in 2009 and 2010.
“I wouldn’t be here without you brother,” Gasol said about Bryant, via NBA.com. “I wish more than anything that you and Gigi were here with us. I miss you and love you. Thank you Vanessa for being here tonight. I’m proud to be your brother. And an Uncle to your wonderful girls. I love you guys so very much.”
Bryant, who tragically passed away in January 2020, spent his entire NBA career with the Lakers. The Hall of Famer is universally recognized as the greatest and most popular player in Los Angeles history.
One of the best players of all time, Bryant averaged 25.0 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.7 assists in 1,346 regular-season games with the Lakers. He was an 18-time All-Star, five-time champion, four-time All-Star Game MVP, two-time Finals MVP, two-time scoring champion, 15-time All-NBA Team member, 12-time All-Defensive Team member and the 2007-08 MVP.
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Bryant is fourth on the NBA’s all-time scoring list. He scored 33,643 points during his legendary career. The Black Mamba put up 81 points in a game against the Toronto Raptors during the 2005-06. It’s the second-highest scoring output in a game in NBA history.
The Lakers beat the Indiana Pacers, Philadelphia 76ers, New Jersey Nets, Orlando Magic and Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals during the Bryant era. Bryant won three rings with Shaquille O’Neal and two with Gasol. The Lakers retired both of Bryant’s numbers (8 and 24) after he retired in 2016.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol & Los Angeles Lakers Updates
The NBA community was devastated when Bryant passed away in 2020. The 2019-20 Lakers, led by LeBron James — who was close with Bryant — won the 2020 championship over the Miami Heat at the Walt Disney World bubble as their way of honoring Bryant.
Gasol finished his NBA career with averages of 17.0 points and 9.2 rebounds with the Memphis Grizzlies, Lakers, Chicago Bulls, San Antonio Spurs and Milwaukee Bucks. He made six All-Star teams and four All-NBA teams and won the 2001-02 Rookie of the Year Award.
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