“More than devastated. I can't believe it. My older brother.” Pau Gasol met the death of his guardian angel, Kobe Bryant. And he could not go beyond what was expressed.
“In February 2008, my life changed.” This is how Pau starts the prologue that he dedicated to his friend Kobe in the book Mamba mentality (Encourages), in which one of the best players in history tried to decipher why his legend. Pau did not hesitate to collaborate. It was Kobe who caused a decisive turnaround in his sports career. It was Kobe who showed him the way to success with those who had always dreamed when he saw how time passed too slowly in Memphis. Two rings awaited in the watchtower. Pau, accustomed to acting as an older brother at home, saw that same figure in Kobe. A link that is not only limited to their coexistence in Los Angeles, between 2008 and 2014, but must last a lifetime. Too short Kobe's.
When Kobe Bryant retired, in April 2016, Pau Gasol wrote a letter in which he already showed eternal gratitude: “He showed me that he cared. It was a hard love. He challenged me because he expected more from me. When someone it displeases you, it means that he cares about you. When they ignore you, they don't care about you. That's when you have to worry (…) Being with Kobe has had an impact on my life. “
The prologue of Pau Gasol included in the following is reproduced below Mamba mentality, a work that had an introduction by the legendary coach Phil Jackson and the photographs of Andrew D. Bernstein, published in the United States in 2018 and that arrived in Spain on October 8.
“It was a defining moment in my career as a basketball player, but also in my life outside of sport. My path is aligned with that of one of the best players in the history of the sport I love.”
“Within a few hours of knowing that I had been transferred from the Grizzlies to the Lakers I was crossing the country by plane to Los Angeles, a city diametrically opposite to Memphis. The next morning I had to pass the physical exam to finish my transfer. Lakers were on tour, and I was looking forward to joining my new teammates, so, as soon as I passed the exam, I got on another plane in the direction of Washington. Kobe phoned me that same morning to see us as soon as I reached the Ritz Carlton hotel, it was after one o'clock in the morning when, finally, I was able to reach my room, and soon after or someone was knocking on the door, it was Kobe, for me, that was a tremendous demonstration of what a true leader, and our meeting hit me greatly instantly. The message was clear: there was no time to lose, the moment was now, we are going to get the ring. His attitude left no doubt: it was about winning. “
“One of the qualities that made Kobe so successful is his attention to detail. He always just tell us: if you want to be a better player, you have to prepare, prepare and continue preparing. His game analysis was at another level. I am a player who studies many videos; I like to review the last game of my opponents to see how they are playing when I am about to face them, but Kobe was going a few steps further. “
“I remember it as if it were yesterday: we were in Boston, at the end of 2010, and received a text message from him. He wanted me to go to his room to show me some videos of how the Celtics defend the pick and roll and how should we address it. I know with certainty that this level of detail, both in preparation and in the study, was a key factor for us to win those championships and for many of the successes that Kobe achieved individually. “
“I have seen throughout my career such a dedicated player to be the best. His determination was second to none. Without a doubt, he worked harder than any other player he has ever met. Kobe knew that to be the best you need a different approach than I remember the night we got together as a team for our annual dinner, just before the playoffs. I was sitting next to him and, when we were about to leave, he told me that he was going to the gym to exercise. However aware I was of the amount of extra time I spent training, I was always impressed with how disciplined it could be even in relaxing situations. When everyone else thought about going to sleep, his mind was telling him it was time to get ahead of the competition. “
“For years, many people have wondered about how difficult it was to play with Kobe. Actually, it wasn't. All you had to do is understand where he was from, what he was like and how much he wanted to win. He challenged players and coaches to match their intensity, their desire, to get the best of themselves on a daily basis, not only in games, but also in training, Kobe wanted to discover what pasta you were made of, and if he could count on you to help him you help to win, as simple as that. I will always be grateful. I got the best out of myself as a basketball player, and it also made me stronger as a person. The time we spent together was, without a doubt, invaluable. “
“In my family, I am the eldest of my brothers, and I always try to be an example for the little ones; I challenge them when I think they need it, and I praise them when they deserve it. Kobe is the closest thing to an older brother to me. Never hesitate to tell me things as they were, without sweetening anything, always challenging me so that I could do my best at all times.In the good times, but especially in the toughest ones, our bond only grew stronger and stronger. , and we have always supported each other, as brothers. “
Kobe Bryant returned the praise. With my heart: “Pau was like a brother to me. Throughout my career I shared a locker room with dozens and dozens of players. Among them, I can say, without a doubt, that Pau was my favorite companion (.. .) Both branches very culturally speaking. We both loved reading, and musicals, and pear, and theater. We had a deeper connection than mere teammates. ”
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