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.”
