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Reading: Pau Gasol Shares Heartwarming Tribute To Kobe Bryant After Rising Stars Game
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Home > NBA News & Media > Pau Gasol Shares Heartwarming Tribute To Kobe Bryant After Rising Stars Game

Pau Gasol Shares Heartwarming Tribute To Kobe Bryant After Rising Stars Game

“Every step of the way, he’s on my mind, he’s in my heart along with Gigi," Gasol said.

Aaron Abhishek
Feb 18, 2023
3 Min Read
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Credit: Fadeaway World

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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TAGGED:Kobe BryantPau Gasol
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ByAaron Abhishek
Aaron Abhishek is an NBA columnist for Fadeaway World. He graduated from St. Joseph's College with a Bachelor's in Visual Communication and a Master's in journalism.His passion for the sport began when he saw Michael Jordan take his final shot in the NBA, and he considers himself fortunate to have been a part of the Kobe Bryant era. Now he writes basketball news and analysis while waiting for the Los Angeles Lakers to win their 18th title.When not watching and writing basketball, you can find Aaron suited to play cricket, putting in some hard yards at the gym, trying a new coffee, and supporting Arsenal. Expertise: NBAFavorite Team: Los Angeles LakersPrevious Work: MEAWW, Blue Man Hoop, Sportskeeda
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