The late Kobe Bryant had such an incredible career with the Los Angeles Lakers that it’s easy to forget both parties were in a very difficult situation in the mid-2000s.
After Shaquille O’Neal demanded a trade and was granted his wish in 2004, the Lakers instantly fell into mediocrity. They missed the playoffs the following season and lost to the Phoenix Suns in the first round of the 2006 and 2007 playoffs. It looked like it would be a long time before they would be contenders again.
But Feb. 1, 2008 was the day everything changed. That afternoon, Los Angeles announced it had landed All-Star big man Pau Gasol in a trade with the Memphis Grizzlies. He not only made it an instant championship contender, but he was also a perfect fit.
During an exclusive interview with Mark Medina, owner Jeanie Buss reflected on what Gasol meant to the organization.
Via Sportskeeda:
“Pau came into the team that was running the triangle offense. He picked up the offense in three days. He didn’t miss a beat. He was the perfect player. As Phil (Jackson) explained to me, as an organization you decide what style of play you want to play and what team you want to be. Then you hire a coach that runs that style. Then you draft a team or sign players that fit that style.
“Here was the ultimate player that fit so perfectly in what we were doing. He fit with Kobe and what Kobe wanted to accomplish. Then the team just took off on a run all the way to the NBA Finals only to lose to our No. 1 rival, the Boston Celtics. That was a heartbreaker. But to come back to win the next two was really special.”
Gasol had his No. 16 jersey retired by the Lakers in an emotional ceremony in March. He is set to be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame days from now.
