The Los Angeles Lakers have had some of the greatest players in NBA history.
George Mikan, Wilt Chamberlain, Shaquille O’Neal, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, James Worthy, Elgin Baylor, Jerry West, Kobe Bryant, and Magic Johnson are just a handful of the basketball legends who at one point played for the organization.
That’s why having your jersey retired isn’t for everybody and why it meant so much for Pau Gasol.
Gasol became Kobe Bryant’s favorite sidekick, helping the Lakers make it to the NBA Finals twice and being his best teammate in two NBA championship runs.
The Lakers decided to honor his days with the organization by hanging his jersey right next to Kobe’s in a very emotional night and ceremony.
Notably, Lakers great Magic Johnson tipped his hat off to Jeanie Buss and the franchise after such a moving night, also praising other former Lakers greats for being in attendance.
Coach Phil Jackson, his former Laker teammates like Derek Fisher, Lamar Odom, and Metta as well as Laker Hall of Famers Kareem, James Worthy, Jamaal Wilkes and so many more. Congratulations @paugasol on your jersey retirement!
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) March 8, 2023
Gasol was often overlooked and mistreated by Lakers fans, constantly being tied to trade rumors and deemed soft.
But he was one of the most hard-working players out there and will go down as one of the greatest international players to ever set foot on an NBA court.
It was heartbreaking to remember that Kobe wasn’t there to witness the greatest moment in his career, and Pau made sure to honor him and his daughter Gigi when it happened.
But it’s nice to see that he’s finally gotten the flowers he was deserving of for so many years and all the things he did for the organization.
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