Pau Gasol Gives Special Shoutout to Kobe Bryant While Announcing Retirement

Pau Gasol and Kobe Bryant had the honor to share the basketball court throughout the years. They won two rings together and NBA fans really enjoyed their great chemistry and the purple and gold was at the top back then. Gasol announced his decision to retire, and he didn’t forget to mention Kobe. Oh, he would really love to have Kobe by his side in these moments.

Gasol is grateful for every lesson he got from Kobe. He got to learn from the best of the best. The Spanish native learned how to “be a better leader, better competitor, what it meant to be a winner.”

Pau Gasol: I want to make a special mention to Kobe Bryant. I'd very much like him to be here but life is sometimes very unfair. He taught me how to be a better leader, better competitor, what it meant to be a winner. pic.twitter.com/hnSRLwzr05

— Eurohoops (@Eurohoopsnet) October 5, 2021

Paul Gasol has great memories with Kobe Bryant

The talented NBA player won two rings in the NBA and many would agree that he is the most successful basketball player in Europe. He will retire at 41 and this is the end of an era.

Gasol won the NBA Finals in 2009 and 2010. He entered the NBA as the ultimate rookie and also earned the Rookie of the Year award in 2002. He was also a six-time NBA All-Star and his basketball career ended with the Liga ACB title in Spain. His hometown club Barcelona had great success in June.

Kobe and Gasol were really successful together and their great relationship motivated a lot of young players. Many players learned from both superstars and this was the perfect foundation for young talents.

The Black Mamba died too young and he didn’t get the opportunity to send his great wishes to his dear teammate. Kobe died in a helicopter crash outside Los Angeles and left the world grieving. Gasol didn’t get over the loss and he couldn’t believe that his dear friend is gone. He talks about Kobe every time the media asks questions about his NBA career.

Gasol is off to something great and his post-basketball life will be equally exiting. He is an excellent person and we can see him pull out great deals in the future. He will have a lot of free time to hang out with his great family and friends. Nice, right?