On oe the best moments of Saturday’s 2023 Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony occurred when Pau Gasol paid tribute to the late Kobe Bryant during his induction speech.
The legendary power forward shared a story about the night he was traded from the Grizzlies to the Lakers in 2008, which resulted in becoming teammates with Bryant for seven seasons.
“It changed my life and my career,” Gasol said. “That’s where I got to know the person who elevated my game like no other. Who taught me what it took to win at the highest level. Who showed me how hard you have to work, and the mentality you needed to have in order to be the best. The commitment you had to make, what it meant and what it took to be a leader. Kobe.”
Gasol went on to share about how, despite arriving in the middle of the night following the trade, Bryant made it a point to still come over to his hotel so he could welcome his new teammate in person and let him know their shared goal was to go win a championship. The duo would go on to accomplish that goal twice in short order (2009 and ’10).
“He just wanted to make sure that, right away, first chance, I got the message: ‘Welcome to the team. I’m happy you’re here. Now let’s go win a championship together,’” Gasol said. “I said, ‘Alright, I’m in, man. I’m in. Have a good night.’ That was it. No crap. Straight to the chase.
“I wouldn’t be here without you, brother. I wish more than anything that you and Gigi were here today with us. I miss you and love you.”
Pau Gasol honors Kobe Bryant in his Hall of Fame induction speech 💜💛
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) August 13, 2023
(via @NBA) pic.twitter.com/eWT4ukiJRC
