Lakers retire Pau Gasol’s no.16 jersey.
LOS ANGELES — Pau Gasol was a focal part of the Lakers championship teams that brought Los Angeles back-to-back Larry O’Brien trophies in 2009–10. At halftime of Tuesday’s win over the Grizzlies, he was honored as the 12th Lakers player in franchise history to get his jersey retired, with his No. 16 jersey being placed up in the rafters next to Kobe Bryant’s No. 24 jersey, cementing himself as one of the best in the Lakers historic franchise.
“To the city of L.A., to Lakers Nation, I love you! I love you deeply, I love you forever,” said Gasol during his speech.
In his career, Gasol's average per game was 17.0 points, 9.2 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.6 blocks with a shooting percentage of 51%. He ended his career with six all-star nods, made the all-NBA team four times, was a rookie of the year winner in the 2001–02 season, and was a two-time NBA champion with the Lakers.
Gasol’s arguably biggest game as a Laker came in one of the most important games the franchise has ever had. In Game 7 of the 2010 NBA finals versus the Boston Celtics, Gasol gave the Lakers and his sidekick Kobe a stellar performance, finishing with 19 points, 18 rebounds (9 offensive rebounds), four assists, and two blocks in 42 minutes.
Gasol’s big moments came multiple times in the final minutes of the ballgame, with Gasol hitting a falling-down fadeaway over three Celtics defenders to give the Lakers a six-point lead with 1:30 to go. His next big moment came with under 30 seconds left after securing an offensive rebound and dishing it to Kobe on the cut to draw a foul, giving the Lakers a five-point lead with 25.7 seconds left and securing the Lakers' 16th championship in franchise history.
Even on the night of his jersey retirement, Pau Gasol still gave homage and love to his longtime teammate and friend Kobe Bryant.
“[Kobe] is the brother that elevated me, inspired me, challenged me to be a better player — just to be a better man overall,” he said.
Number 16, seven feet from Spain and FOREVER in the rafters. Congrats Pau!
