Pau Gasol pays tribute to Kobe Bryant in Hall of Fame speech
Pau Gasol was an All-Star before he got to the Lakers. But he says he wouldn't have been a Hall of Famer without Kobe Bryant.
During his Hall of Fame induction speech, Gasol called his Lakers teammate Bryant, "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 had to work and the mentality you had to have to be the best."
Gasol reached two Finals with Bryant, winning titles in 2009 and 2010, while Gasol made three All-Star and All-NBA teams. Earlier this week, he told Rachel Nichols that Bryant would have been his Hall presenter if he were still alive.
Toni Kukoc, one of Gasol's "childhood heroes" presented Gasol instead, along with Lakers great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. And Kobe's widow, Vanessa Bryant, attended to support Gasol.
It wasn't all emotional. Gasol told a story about being traded to the Lakers in February 2008, and Bryant insisting on meeting him when he arrived at the team hotel after midnight. Bryant's message was simple and concise, according to Gasol.
"That was it," Gasol said. "No crap. Straight to the chase."
Then he added, "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 I love you."
Bryant may have passed, but Gasol made sure that he was present in spirit at the Hall on Saturday.
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