2023-08-13 03:21:53
The legend of the eldest of the Gasols continues to grow. Pau has become the first Spanish player to enter the Hall of Fame, the American temple where only the greatest myths in the history of world basketball live. There were only two other Spaniards there, two coaches: Pedro Ferrándiz and Antonio Díaz-Miguel. Pau is part of The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2023. Along with him, stars of the dimension of Dirk Nowitzki, Tony Parker, Dwyane Wade, Becky Hammon or Gregg Popovich are already on the altars of American basketball.
The Springfield Symphony Hall in Massachusetts hosted a ceremony in which Pau was sponsored by a legendary former player: Toni Kukoc. Difficult to find a player as representative as the Croatian. And Pau’s speech was extraordinarily armed: “What a night, what a moment… I’m full of pride, gratitude and it’s a huge honor to be made into the Hall of Fame. If they had told me when I was a kid that not only I wouldn’t know Kukoc but he would introduce me to the Hall of Fame, I wouldn’t have believed it. He was a role model, an inspiration.” And he also recalled to begin with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who was going to be his other godfather: “I want to thank my friend and model Kareem. He could not come because he is not feeling well, but I hope he he recovers soon” ..
The maximum tribute that a basketball player in the United States can receive comes to Pau five months after his Lakers jersey with the number 16 was retired. “This year is being very special. On an emotional level it is being really overwhelming. They are experiences that are a bit beyond you because not even in the best of dreams can you imagine that the Lakers jersey will be removed and you will enter the Hall of Fame. You dream of playing with the best in the best league in the world, doing your best and enjoying it. And well, I suppose that when you’ve done very well you get this type of honour”, commented the man from Sant Boi before the emotional ceremony in which his entire family was present and which he faced with “nerves, desire and anxiety”.
In his speech Pau did not leave anyone. “No one has contributed more than my family. My parents, whom I adore, have inspired me. My brothers Marc and Adrián. With Marc I have experienced incredible things and Adrián is the only one in the family who has a master’s degree.” Pau recalled his predecessors and a moment that changed his life: “Being Spanish, I want to remind Fernando Martín, Petrovic, Radja… At the age of seven I just wanted to have fun, but then the Barcelona Games came and my life changed. life. The Dream Team changed my life and made me dream of playing with the best.”
The most intense moment came with the reminder to Kobe Bryant. Pau had greeted Vanessa, Kobe’s wife, with a kiss before going on stage. “He changed my life and my career. He’s the person who raised my game like no one else has. He’s someone who symbolizes what it means to be a leader, he’s Kobe,” he said. And looking up he said, “I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for you.” The emotion also spread when he spoke about the national team: “You cannot understand my career and my personality without the national team, without the Family. Representing my country was a great honor, a privilege. Today we all enter the Hall of Fame”. And he appealed to his origins: “The roots of each person always help you get what you get in life. Having grown up in Spain, in Sant Boi, having grown up in the system there, has made me appreciate many things and form myself as a player and as a person. I am very grateful for everything. This recognition is also part of a lot of people”.
The presence of three European players in this year’s promotion is the umpteenth proof that the NBA is a global phenomenon and that many of its stars come from beyond the United States. “This sport has grown a lot since we started playing (…). I think we can be very proud to have taken international basketball to a higher level. It is very special to share this moment with Dirk and Tony because it is extraordinary. And It’s something that was unthinkable not so long ago,” Pau said.
In addition to his endless achievements at the sports level in the election as a member of the Hall of Fame, the merits beyond the track weigh. “We have a big commitment to change things, I ask you to continue making an effort to change things”, he concluded by affirming. And it is that Pau goes beyond being a myth as a basketball player. His constant work for the community, being an ambassador for Unicef, the Gasol Foundation against childhood obesity and promoting a healthy life among the little ones… Pau’s legend continues to grow.
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