Former Los Angeles Lakers star Pau Gasol shared a wholesome tribute for the late franchise legend Kobe Bryant during the Rising Stars Game.
Gasol was present in Utah on Friday as one of the coaches in the Jordan Rising Stars championship and also accept his Hall of Fame nomination. And he credited Bryant for his success on the court.
Per ClutchPoints, the Spaniard was lavish in his praise and also added that it was Bryant who unlocked Gasol’s ability to play at a high level.
“Every step of the way, he’s on my mind, he’s in my heart along with Gigi. And he’s going to be there forever,” Pau Gasol said Friday during All-Star Weekend in Utah, “I grew as a player, I played at a high level thanks to him, in great part.”
He also added that the Black Mamba was the reason behind the Lakers winning the NBA championships in 2009 and 2010.
“His leadership, his example, his approach really elevated my game, made me a better player,” Gasol continued. “My name, my number don’t go into those rafters without those championships. And we don’t win those championships without Kobe Bryant.”
Such has been his close bond with Bryant that he and his wife named their newborn daughter after Gianna, who tragically died with her father in the ill-fated 2020 helicopter crash in January.
Pau Gasol Remembers The First Time He Saw Kobe Bryant Cry
Normally, the Black Mamba isn’t one to cry, but there was an instance when Gasol saw one of the greatest shooters of all time break down.
It all happened when he tore his Achilles tendon in a skirmish against the Golden State Warriors. The season-ending injury was painful enough to make him cry, something Gasol remembers vividly.
“When Kobe tore his Achilles, I was heartbroken. It was the first time that I saw him cry. It was hard.”
Vanessa Bryant further added, “I remember walking in the locker room with Natalia and Gianna and he just broke down as soon as I hugged him.
The injury didn’t stop Bryant as he refused help despite hobbling in pain and even made two free throws — a testimony to why he was one of the greatest Lakers who won everything with the team.
Gasol has been one of the players privileged to see and play with the Mamba up close, and his sentimental take on the late star shows the respect and admiration he had for his friend and teammate.
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