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Pau Gasol: «What I feel most proud of is being who I am»

The career of Pau Gasol (42 years old) is about to enter a unique phase of celebration and recognition: the Lakers will retire his number 16 this morning. Gasol is a pioneer in the NBA, the first Spaniard to win a ring – he did so in 2009 and 2010 – and the only one to have his shirt retired in the best league in the world. “This happens when you love what you do,” he reflected yesterday when talking about this historic milestone in his career. Gasol played his entire career with the same attitude with which he lives his life: passion and intensity, helping to dispel stereotypes about European players that he was commonly labeled soft in the NBA. Gasol was a center who could shoot, pass and make the decision with great ease. Now, that love that he has put on the field is about to be returned to him. His is a sporting legacy, but also one of kindness, consideration, class and elegance. A man who does not forget his late teammate Kobe Bryant or his family, with whom he continues to maintain a close relationship and whom he has invited to remove his shirt. His night will also be a celebration for the Bryant family. Kobe always loved Pau. The mythical player did not hide when speaking of Spanish: «You cannot stop it. You can’t defend it.” Gasol’s greatness is also in his delivery: UNICEF ambassador, member of the International Olympic Committee, president of a children’s foundation that bears his last name… a giant on and off the court. —You mark another historical milestone once again by seeing his number withdrawn by the Lakers, what does this tribute mean to you? “It’s a huge honour. An incredible recognition that is hard for me to process, but at the same time I am tremendously grateful for the luck and humility of continuing to make history. I want to continue doing special things and I want to be lucky enough to be able to share them with the fans, with my family, with friends and with my country. I’m enjoying it, but I don’t stop too much to think about everything that is happening. Little by little, I hope to be able to assimilate and savor it, because these moments are special. Related News Standard basketball No The Olympus of the Lakers: the retired jerseys that they will wear along with Pau Gasol’s Emilio V. Escudero The Los Angeles franchise will pay homage tomorrow to the Spanish center, whose number 16 will remain forever next to his name —Five Olympic Games –two silver medals, one bronze–, two rings, the withdrawal of your number… what are you most proud of? —I think that in the end I feel more proud of being who I am. To be faithful to the pillars that I have always had as a person, to my values ​​and principles. I have been lucky enough to dedicate myself to something that I have loved since I was a child, which is playing basketball, and that this has transcended in such a great way and having been able to experience such special things is magnificent. I am proud of all of this, but also of how. About how I was able to do it and how I continue to do it. —The concept of helping to return part of what has been lived is very American and you are dedicated to many causes. Living in the United States and working for the NBA, do you feel partly American? “Yes, in a way, yes. I have been lucky enough to live here for a large part of my life, from when I was 21 until now, when I am 42. It is half of my life. I have learned many things here. I have been able to see the good that American culture brings, and also of course the bad things. You learn from everything and the United States has given me a double opportunity. First, fulfill a dream and play in the best league in the world. In addition to having a wonderful and enviable career of which I am proud. Later, I have been able to learn and meet many people, like my wife, who is also American. The City Council of Sant Boi, Pau’s hometown, has honored him like this EFE —There are many young people who dream of playing in the NBA, what would be the best path for them? what would you tell them? “Let them follow their dream.” In the end, to achieve dreams the important thing is to work hard. You have to give yourself one hundred percent. You have to have great conviction and self-confidence, especially when there are moments of doubt or when there are people who do not trust you or tell you that you are worthless. Those moments serve as motivation, strength, push, to say well, let’s go. —On such an important day for you, how will your friend Kobe Bryant be present? —It will be very present because I am part of it. His family will also be there. The Lakers are his home. Every step of the way, he is on my mind, in my heart along with Gigi. And he will be there with me during the ceremony, as he always is. At his side I grew as a player, I played at a higher level thanks to him. Obviously, Phil Jackson, the rest of the teammates, the rest of the staff and I had to contribute something, but his leadership, his example, his focus, raised my game, made me a better player. My name and my number would not be the same without Kobe Bryant. What motivates you as a human being? “Many things motivate me. Coming from a family of doctors, I see that it is important to help humanity and to be there to support in any situation. I have the great opportunity for basketball to be a world-wide impact sport, so many doors are open to help. My career has given me the opportunity to help the most disadvantaged and I want to take advantage of any initiative to continue doing so. It is something that makes me happy, and I thank life for being able to do it.

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