Friday, Feb. 1, 2008, is a date that will always stand out for fans of the Los Angeles Lakers.
That afternoon, the team announced it had acquired Pau Gasol, a star big man who had spent his first six and a half seasons with the Memphis Grizzlies. Better yet, it had surrendered very little to get him, only giving up Kwame Brown, Javaris Crittenton, Aaron McKie, Marc Gasol and two first-round draft picks that amounted to very little.
This trade instantly transformed the fortunes of both the Lakers and Kobe Bryant. Since Shaquille O’Neal had been traded in 2004, the Lakers had been a mediocre team stuck in the middle of the standings and with seemingly no trade capital. Meanwhile, Bryant was upset about having to play on a substandard team.
He had demanded a trade the previous summer, but that all ended with the arrival of Gasol.
15 years ago today I joined the beautiful @Lakers family 💜💛 #LakeShow
— Pau Gasol (@paugasol) February 1, 2023
In Gasol, L.A. gained a player with virtually no weaknesses. He was an excellent post player with a seemingly endless variety of jump shots and jump hooks down low. He could hit the perimeter jumper and had range out to the 3-point line. He was a fine passer and possessed high basketball IQ, and he could put the ball on the floor and create his own shot a little bit. He was a very good rebounder, and although he wasn’t a defensive stopper or rim protector, he wasn’t a slouch either in that department.
The dividends came instantly. The Lakers reached the NBA Finals that June, losing to the Boston Celtics, and then claimed the next two world championships, including one over Boston in 2010.
As a result of the success he helped bring, Gasol will have his No. 16 jersey retired by the Lakers when they host the Grizzlies on March 7.
