Pau Gasol remembers his ‘brother’ Kobe Bryant when he was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame: ‘I wouldn’t be here without you’:
Pau Gasol remembers his ‘brother’ Kobe Bryant when he was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame: ‘I wouldn’t be here without you’:
- Pau Gasol and Kobe Bryant won two championships together on the Lakers
- And Gasol remembered his late friend on Saturday night in Springfield, MA
- DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news
Pau Gasol was recognized on Saturday night for his own basketball talent, but still took a moment to think about his ‘brother’ Kobe Bryant.
Gasol spent parts of seven seasons with Bryant after being traded to the Lakers in February 2008, and would later win two rings in the purple and gold, also earning three All-Star selections during his time there.
And since Bryant, his daughter Gianna, and seven others tragically died in a helicopter crash in January 2020, Gasol has only grown closer to the family — honoring his late friend when he joined him in the Hall of Fame.
“I wouldn’t be here without you, brother,” Gasol said on Saturday. “I wish more than anything that you and (Gianna) were here with us today. I miss you and I love you. Thank you.
Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol formed a close friendship while playing for the Lakers
And Gasol paid tribute to his late friend when he was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame
“Thanks, Vanessa (Bryant), for being here tonight.”
Gasol referred to himself as an “uncle” to Kobe and Vanessa’s daughters during his speech, and Vanessa is godmother to Gasol’s only daughter, Elisabet.
The Spaniard also revealed how Bryant’s famous intensity shaped him.
“I know some people in the league were upset about the trade, but it happened, and that’s where I got to know the person who has taken my game to the next level like no other,” said Gasol.
“Who taught me what it takes to win at the highest level. Who showed me how hard you had to work and what mindset you needed to be the best. The commitment you had to make. What it meant and what it took to be a leader.”
Kobe was killed in a helicopter crash in Calabasas that killed all nine on board.
Vanessa Bryant wore a gold dress to the Hall of Fame ceremony on Saturday night
In addition to the late Gianna, Kobe and Vanessa shared three other daughters: 20-year-old Natalia, six-year-old Bianka, and four-year-old Capri.
After Kobe’s death, Pau – who was in Spain at the time – flew back to Southern California with his wife Cat.
The pair spent months near the Bryants’ Orange County home to support them in the aftermath of the tragedy.
In addition to Pau, Dwayne Wade, Dirk Nowitzki, Tony Parker, Gregg Popovich and Becky Hammon were inducted on Saturday.