NBA
Pau Gasol Was 1 of the Greatest Grizzlies of All-Time
After an illustrious career, PF/C Pau Gasol announced his retirement from the NBA, ending one of the best careers in Memphis Grizzlies history
Silver Screen and Roll/Noah Graham
After a decorated basketball career that saw him play 19 years in the NBA, win multiple Olympic medals, as well as multiple international titles with his native Spain, legendary PF/C Pau Gasol has announced his retirement from the game. He became the first international player to win the Rookie of the Year Award in NBA history, doing so in the 2002 season.
After spending seven years with the Memphis Grizzlies, Gasol was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, where he teamed up with Kobe Bryant to win back-to-back championships in 2009 and 2010. In 2014, Gasol signed with the Chicago Bulls, where he would play for two seasons before joining the San Antonio Spurs for an additional two seasons. After brief stints with the Milwaukee Bucks and Portland Trail Blazers, Gasol played briefly for FC Barcelona before calling it a career.
PAU GASOL WAS 1 OF THE GREATEST GRIZZLIES PLAYERS OF ALL-TIME
With the NFL in full swing and the MLB Playoffs just getting under way, it would be easy to miss that Pau Gasol retired from the game of basketball on October 5th, 2021. What cannot be overstated, however, is his impact on the game beyond just the court. The Lakers have already announced that they will retire his No. 16 jersey, where he will hang in the rafters with the likes of some of the great Lakers in history as a 2x Champion himself.
Most importantly, Gasol was part of the first generation of players that gained the confidence to leave Europe in pursuit of their NBA dreams. Dirk Nowitzki and Tony Parker joined Gasol in headlining the all-time great talent that came from overseas, and they each left indelible marks on the NBA and the sport itself. Gasol’s legacy was specifically remembered for his Grizzlies contributions where he he recorded the most BPG in franchise history and left an all-time impact on both ends of the floor before being traded to LA.
Gasol has a HOF-caliber resume
Pau Gasol's career resume:
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) July 7, 2021
- 6x NBA All Star
- 2x NBA Champ
- 2x All-NBA 2nd Team, 2x 3rd Team
- 2002 NBA ROY & All-Rookie 1st Team
https://t.co/5idvp6tb07
An all-time great Grizzlie
Pau Gasol's ranks in #Grizzlies history:
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) July 7, 2021
- 1st in career BPG (1.8)
- 1st/3rd/4th season BLK (169/153/148)
- 2nd in career BLK (877) & PPG (18.8)
- 3rd in career REB (4,096)
- 4th in career PTS (8,966)
- 5th in career GP (476) & AST (1,473)https://t.co/vrzZfPMrIx
Pau Gasol knew how to score
To celebrate @paugasol’s retirement, we look back at his road to scoring over 20,000 career points! #ThankYouPau pic.twitter.com/2sYpyDmilP
— NBA History (@NBAHistory) October 5, 2021
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