Pau Gasol gets emotional as Lakers retire his No. 16 jersey

LOS ANGELES (AP) — When Pau Gasol joined theLos Angeles Lakers just over 15 years ago, the Spanish 7-footerbanished his ego, redoubled his work ethic and immediately turnedthis team into contenders who eventually became champions.

Gasol and Kobe Bryant did it all together, and their numbers nowhang side by side in the Lakers’ arena.

The Lakers retired Gasol’s No. 16 jersey Tuesday night, honoringthe genteel big man who spent the best seasons of his 18-year NBAcareer with Bryant in Los Angeles. The Lakers reached threestraight NBA Finals after Gasol’s arrival in February 2008, winningchampionships in 2009 and 2010.

“I think I’ve done as good as I could to really embrace it andsavor it, but tonight really exceeds any dream or expectation thatI’ve had,” Gasol said before the game while wearing onechampionship ring on each hand. “It means so much, and obviouslywith Kobe up there, it just adds something meaningful and powerfuland sad and happy and painful and joyful. It’s a lot ofthings.”

Gasol’s banner was unveiled during a halftime ceremony thatbegan with Bryant’s widow, Vanessa, introducing a video in which anexcited Kobe said he was looking forward to the day when Gasol gavea speech at center court during his jersey retirement. Gasol chokedup while watching the video and standing in that exact spot, wipingtears from his eyes before he spoke to the crowd.

“I’m just overwhelmed to see the faces here, all of you,” Gasolsaid. “It’s been my honor to wear this jersey, to play for thisfranchise and to help this team. ... I would have never in amillion years believed a day like this could come. It just tellsyou to never say never. Just push yourself every day to be the bestthat you can be.”

Gasol’s versatile game complemented Bryant’s scoring prowessperfectly when Gasol decided to be a supporting player to a fellowsuperstar, and the two also formed a deep off-court friendship thatendured to Bryant’s death in 2020.

Gasol thanked Vanessa Bryant during his speech: “Love you,sister. I’m proud to be your brother, and proud to be an uncle toyour girls.”

This 17-time NBA champion franchise typically only retires thenumbers of players in the Hall of Fame, and Gasol is a first-timefinalist for the honor this year with a strong chance of making thecut. Gasol made three of his six career All-Star teams during histime with Los Angeles while averaging 17.7 points and 9.9 reboundsper game.

“The excitement, the anticipation, the honor received, it’s justso big that it’s been hard to really take it in,” Gasol said. “Ihave to keep reminding myself that it’s a celebration. It’s great.It’s lovely. It’s just great that you can experience this in yourlife.”

The 42-year-old Gasol said he struggled to sleep over the pastfew days while he thought about the enormity of the Lakers’ gestureamid the still-strong memories of his years on the West Coast. Theteam scheduled the ceremony for halftime of the Lakers’ gameagainst the Memphis Grizzlies.

Gasol chose Tuesday night for his Lakers jersey retirement for avery good reason: He played his first seven NBA seasons with theGrizzlies, his first team after he moved stateside in 2001.

Memphis traded Gasol to the Lakers in February 2008, and thedeal transformed both franchises: While Gasol and Bryantimmediately formed a dominant partnership, Memphis got a packagethat included Gasol’s younger brother, Marc, who went on to have 11largely excellent seasons with the Grizz.

Gasol’s parents, his brothers Marc and Adrià, Vanessa Bryant andLakers owner Jeanie Buss joined Gasol and his wife on thecourt.

Gasol was only the second Spanish player in NBA history and thefirst to win a ring, and he believes his long, successful careercontributed to erasing the stereotype of the “soft” Europeanplayer. Gasol noted that three Europeans now are arguably the topthree players in the league: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokicand Luka Doncic.

“I’m proud to see that,” Gasol said. “That inspires not onlyEuropean kids, but players across the world. Give yourself a chanceif you really want it. It’s been great to see the game growglobally.”

Gasol’s jersey represents the 13th number retired by the Lakershonoring 12 players. Bryant’s early-career No. 8 and late-careerNo. 24 are both retired.