Bryant would find out just how incredible Pau's basketball IQ would be, as the two former teammates instantly had a deep connection soon after Pau was traded to the Lakers in one of the most greatest trades in franchise history.
Pau made his arrival official when the Lakers visited the formerly named New Jersey Nets, now Brooklyn Nets, on Feburary 5th, 2008. Pau impressed Laker Nation by recording an outstanding stat line of 24 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 steal. After the game an enthusiastic Kobe, seen below at 2:36, was grinning from ear to ear, pleased with the idea of playing with such a versatile and intelligent player.
Before the blockbuster trade the Lakers were already playing extremely well, with a record of 30 wins and 16 losses. By then Kobe Bryant was considered to be the best player in the NBA, Lamar Odom was finally settling in to his role as the facilitator, Derek Fisher was the leader of the locker room, and the remaining role players were becoming adjusted into their supplemental positions.
But even with the addition of Pau, the Lakers would ultimately fall short in the NBA Finals to the Boston Celtics, who at the time had a star studded squad, featuring Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, and an improving young point guard named Rajon Rondo.
After the heart-breaking lost to their greatest rival, the Lakers looked to avenge their championship defeat, and return to the NBA Finals to claim what was rightfully theirs. During the off-season Kobe made it his mission to show the big Spainard what he needed from him in order for the team to make it back to the Finals. In response, Pau registered a consistent 18.9 points per game(ppg), grabbed 9.6 rebounds, and shot an amazing 56.7% from the field during the 2008-09 regular season. But he wasn't done there. Once the playoffs commenced Pau improved his play and helped carry the Lakers back to the NBA Finals against an overly matched Orlando Magic team that had the Defensive Player of the Year in Dwight Howard leading the team.
The Lakers would ultimately defeat the Magic in 5 games, and Pau would finally earn his first NBA championship.
But with Kobe running the team the Lakers had little room to celebrate as they were already preparing for another championship run. Both Kobe and Pau looked unstoppable during the 2009-10 season, and the Lakers would yet again make their third consecutive appearance to the NBA Finals. This time the Lakers would be matched up, once again, versus their long-time hated rival the Boston Celtics.
The Celtics looked ready to steal yet another championship from the Lakers, and the series would reach a climatic game 7. Even though Pau struggled with his offense, he still made his presence known. He finished the game with 19 points, 18 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 blocks, ultimately leading the Lakers to back-to-back championships.
Highlights of Game 7, seen above:
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After the Lakers won their second straight title, the once dominant squad began to look fatigued and surprisingly old. The following season, the Lakers would fall short in the 2nd round of the Western Conference Playoffs against the Dallas Mavericks.
Pau Gasol, who averaged yet another solid season of 18.8 ppg, 10.2 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.6 blocks per game looked distraught and unfocused during the 2010-2011 playoffs. With rumors swirling about his girlfriend -- Sylvia Lopez Castro -- breaking the big Spainard's heart during the Playoffs, Laker fans were left to watch the Dallas Mavericks and Dirk Nowitzki dismantle the former champs. Pau appeared as though he had already checked-out, long before the series even started against the Mavs, and even Phil Jackson tried to slap some sense into Pau, seen in this clip below.
After the Lakers were humiliated by the Mavericks, speculations of Phil Jackson's retirement flooded the news wire. Soon after Phil Jackson's departure the Lakers found themselves hiring the former 2008-09 Coach of the Year winner Mike Brown to lead the team. But under Mike Brown's leadership the team struggled to find that cohesion that propelled them to the top a few years prior. However, being the ever present professional, Pau maintained a solid statistical year of 17.4 ppg, 10.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.4 blocks per game. But again, the Lakers would fall short in the playoffs and speculations of possible Pau trades began to surface.
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The following season the Lakers acquired both Steve Nash and Dwight Howard via trades, and the 2012-13 Lakers were heavily favored to win the championship. Unfortunately with the firing of Mike Brown after 5 games, and the hiring of Mike D'antoni over Phil Jackson, the Lakers once again found themselves struggling to find the chemistry that had once led them to three straight championship runs.
Plagued with injuries and a sour relationship with coach Mike D'antoni, Pau would finish the season with his worst statistical averages, listing a measly 13.7 ppg, 8.6 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1.2 blocks per game.
The star-studded Lakers looked discontent and their locker room issues made the headlines as Kobe and Dwight's relationship became the focal point, and Pau was consistently dragged through the mud with trade rumors. However, being the classy professional he is, Pau remained realistic and focused on helping the Lakers to another Playoff run.
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The 2013-14 season had Pau leading the team all on his own, as Dwight Howard fled to join the Houston Rockets, and Kobe Bryant struggled to recovery from his career altering Achilles injury. Under another year with D'antoni, Pau would butt heads with the heavily small ball, offensive minded coach. But Pau saw his numbers bounce back as he would finish the year off with 17.4 ppg, 9.7 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 1.5 blocks per game.
Nonetheless, Pau's efforts led the lack luster 2013-14 Lakers squad to finish with 27 wins and 55 losses.
After years of trade rumors and a lack of smart strategic moves from the Lakers front office, Pau decided to decline the Lakers formidable offer and decided to play for another contending team in the Chicago Bulls.
Pau's departure was a somber yet cheerful day, as the incredible Spainard had given Laker fans some of the best years of his career. In his last final years with the purple and gold, Laker fans expressed their displeasure with Pau's lack of aggression and so called "soft" demeanor. But like any relationship, there are the highs and than there are the lows, yet Pau remained true to the Lakers organization, to the fans, and to the city of Los Angeles. Throughout his tenure with the Lakers Pau's contributions to multiple charities and organizations revealed how big of an impact he had here in la la land. Not only was he a fantastic ball player, but he was also an amazing human being. Now that Pau's playing for the Bulls, die hard Laker fans, like myself, can't help but smile for the Laker great that helped bring two championships and 6 1/2 great seasons to our organization.
Thank you Pau for all your years, and hopefully we'll see you back when your jersey is hoisted up with the other great Lakers that have donned the purple and gold. To PAU GASOL!!! Cheers!!!
