Former Los Angeles Lakers star Pau Gasol was immortalized at Crypto.com Arena on Tuesday when the franchise retired his No. 16 jersey at halftime of its game against the Memphis Grizzlies.
Gasol gave the Lakers six and a half years of stellar play. Upon his arrival in February 2008, they instantly reached the NBA Finals three straight times while capturing back-to-back championships.
His addition instantly transformed them from a struggling, mediocre team to one that fans will never forget.
It was an emotional ceremony for the Spaniard, who was joined by his wife, children and younger brother Marc, as well as Vanessa Bryant, the widow of Gasol’s beloved teammate Kobe Bryant.
Pau Gasol's full jersey retirement ceremony speech 💜💛#GraciasPau pic.twitter.com/RDIN0M3rzw
— NBA (@NBA) March 8, 2023
The big man may have been underappreciated during his Lakers tenure, but fans took to Twitter to shower him with love after his jersey was retired.
Pau Gasol, the perfect complementary player to Kobe Bryant, was paid the best compliment possible by his former team: The Los Angeles Lakers retired his jersey.
— K🪡NG BELLO 🎢 GH (@AnokplimBello) March 8, 2023
didn’t think i could love pau gasol anymore but wow what a great guy https://t.co/TB2TaoQpgB
— Ben Trinh (@BenT) March 8, 2023
Put off watching the Pau Gasol jersey retirement videos for as long as I could, and now I’m getting emotional at almost 2am
— Zito (@_Zeets) March 8, 2023
Congratulations Mr. Pau Gasol. Well deserved, sir. https://t.co/xQ9alKDyqR
— 🇮🇪King Mac 👑 (@kingmac84) March 8, 2023
Pau Gasol retired his jersey that lit 🔥
— PYT (@BossTam21) March 8, 2023
Being here was nothing short of spectacular! Congrats to @paugasol!! You deserved this so much! #lakeshow pic.twitter.com/ijnn7WzCtD
— Mayrucha🌹 (@MayraaLucha) March 8, 2023
Pau Gasol definitely deserved this tonight. Kobe would be proud of his favorite player
— Abelito Lopez (@A_BOWL15) March 8, 2023
Love u world champ @paugasol https://t.co/RzDXv8AT6i
— LTO (@17to18) March 8, 2023
Seeing Pau Gasol brings tears to my eyes 🥹
— Krystina Marie (@KrysMBELL) March 8, 2023
All love @paugasol purple and gold! https://t.co/hIg6eNJkRu
— Lakeshows (@lakeshowss) March 8, 2023
Pau 💜💛 Kobe 😭#PauGasol #KobeBryant #LakerNation https://t.co/SSNSVFNsX1
— JOYJOY OCTAVIO (@JOYJOYmaldita7) March 8, 2023
