- The Los Angeles Lakers traded for Pau Gasol in 2008
- Gasol and Kobe Bryant would win back-to-back titles in 2009 and 2010
- Brian Windhorst believes Gasol’s arrival saved Bryant’s last act as a Laker
Kobe Bryant is rightly remembered as one of the game’s all-time greats after winning five championships in a stellar 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers. There was a real chance, though, that Bryant would not have been held in such high regard, had it not been for Pau Gasol’s arrival in 2008.
Gasol and Bryant led the Lakers to three straight NBA Finals from 2008 to 2010, and they’d win it all in 2009 and 2010. With the Spaniard now headed to the Hall of Fame, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst spoke about Gasol’s impact on the history of basketball.
“Pau Gasol’s arrival saved Kobe Bryant’s last act as a Laker,” Windhorst said on NBA Today. “Because that put everything together. They were already trending in the right direction, they had drafted Andrew Bynum, they had brought back Phil Jackson, (and) Lamar Odom had arrived.
“They may have found a way to get there eventually, but the trade for Pau Gasol guys, you may not remember this, it was a scandalous trade,” Windhorst continued. “Nobody could believe the value that the Lakers got… The Lakers literally gave almost nothing for this.
“Gasol’s arrival absolutely made everything fall into place,” Windhorst added. “That team became an unstoppable force. They ended up winning the West three consecutive years, another couple of championships… There is no doubt why the Bryant family has such an affinity for Pau Gasol because Pau Gasol made Kobe’s life bearable. Because when he was losing as a Laker it was almost unbearable.”
The Lakers only had to give up Kwame Brown, Javaris Crittenton, Aaron McKie, two first-round picks, $3 million in cash considerations, and the draft rights to Marc Gasol for Pau and a second-round pick. It really was next to nothing for a player who’d go on to average 17.7 points, 9.9 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 0.6 steals, and 1.4 blocks per game as a Laker.
Pau’s arrival changed life for a franchise that had failed to even win a playoff series following Shaquille O’Neal’s departure in 2004. Bryant’s frustration was growing with each passing season, and Kobe famously requested a trade from the Lakers in 2007. They didn’t let him go, and it turned out to be the right decision for all parties.
Kobe Bryant Said He Wouldn’t Have Won Those Two Championships Without Pau Gasol
No one knew just how important Gasol was to those Lakers teams more than Bryant. Kobe was always quick to praise the six-time All-Star and when he was asked in 2018 about Gasol one day having his jersey retired by the team, Kobe said there is nothing to debate there.
Bryant stated Gasol would have his number up in the rafters next to his own, and that prediction came true earlier this year. Had it not been for the Spaniard’s arrival, Kobe would have perhaps retired with only three rings, and Shaq’s shadow would have loomed large over him, but winning with Gasol cemented his status as one of the game’s truly great players.
We sincerely appreciate and respect you as a reader of our site. It would help us a lot if you follow us on Google News because of the latest update.
Thanks for following us. We really appreciate your support.
