Lakers News: How Pau Gasol Is Processing His Hall Of Fame Induction
Retired Los Angeles Lakers legend Pau Gasol is still grappling with his latest role: Hall of Famer.
During a new exclusive interview with Broderick Turner of The Los Angeles ahead of his enshrinement today, Gasol explained his reactions both in the moment and longer-term. The arrival of Gasol, Dirk Nowitzki and Tony Parker into this year's Hall of Fame enshrinement celebrates the first generation of European pro hoopers whose lives had been touched by Team USA's obliteration of teams during a storied Barcelona jaunt.
“I was in Hawaii," Gasol explained. "That’s when Jerry Colangelo called me, and I got the call and he told me the news. So, it was a pretty great place to take that in.”
“I was with my wife [Catherine McDonnell Gasol] and some of our family and I shared the news, and I shared the news with my family," Gasol continued. "They were all very excited and happy for me. But to me, just like my family, as lucky and as fortunate as we have been, we’ve always been happy and proud of each other, of our journey. It’s a very special step of our journey, but it’s still a consequence of everything that we have done together as a family. So, I couldn’t have done or achieved what I’ve achieved without the support, the tools, the values of my parents that they instilled in me growing up, and the support of my brothers. '
“Honestly, it’s a little surreal. It’s hard to picture it still, even though it’s close by. Obviously, it’s a huge honor. I’m still trying to take it in, one day at a time. It’s kind of crazy to think about it, with the [Lakers] jersey retirement being a similar feeling. They are two different things, but I think they are two immense honors. So, pretty humbling, but pretty nice too.”
Through an 18-year NBA career, Gasol made six All-Star and four All-NBA team appearances, while winning two championships for your Lakers.
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