Los Angeles Lakers: Kobe Bryant, Luke Walton believe Pau Gasol’s number should be immortalized

Last month Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant had his two jersey numbers retired. Is it possible that one of his former teammates, Pau Gasol, is next in line?

Not even a handful of weeks back the Los Angeles Lakers retired both of Kobe Bryant’s jersey numbers. In light of the Lakers game against the San Antonio Spurs Thursday night, it fuels speculation as to whether current Spur and former Laker, Pau Gasol, is worthy of the same treatment.

The best thing Lakers fans will remember about Pau is that he helped the purple and gold win back-to-back titles in 2009 and 2010. He was instrumental in bringing the team back to glory after enduring a multi-year slump in the mid-2000s. This is easily the best case that could be made for Gasol.

Secondly, it is also crucial to consider how good of a teammate Gasol was and is as a Spur. He never speaks ill of anyone and carries himself about as professionally as one could hope for.

The big man’s abovementioned demeanor came into effect yet again recently. Before Thursday’s Lakers-Spurs contest kicked off, Gasol could not hold back his emotions regarding his visit to Staples Center:

Considering that Kobe and Pau used to play together, that “proud” feeling is definitely understandable. To this day, too, their bond extends far beyond what they achieved on the court as they are still good companions.

Gasol’s tweet germane to the Black Mamba once more begs the question as to whether the former is up next to receive such a distinction. Frankly, it is a decision that is practically a coin flip.

However, a tweet Kobe produced just a few hours after Pau’s post suggests the debate should not require too much thought.

Since Kobe’s bar is set about as high as anyone’s, this is about as good of a compliment as one could hope to get from the former shooting guard. To get your number immortalized with not only Laker legends but NBA legends.

Taking that last point into account, it makes one wonder if it is something that is truly plausible. While head coach Luke Walton likewise believes Gasol’s number belongs in the rafters one day, Walton discussed why his former teammate’s case could be in jeopardy.

According to what Bill Oram of the LA Daily News reproduced, Walton explained the logic behind his thought process.

"“It is tough for the Lakers,” Walton said, “because the names up there aren’t just great players. They are all-time greats (and) a lot of them spent a lot of their career in L.A.”"

Indeed, that is a potential knock against Pau. Granted he did a lot for L.A. during his six-plus campaigns with them, players like Bryant are tiers above the Spaniard. Bryant, for one, played 20 years donning the purple and gold uniform. That is extremely, extremely uncommon to come across in any sport.

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In addition to Bryant, of course, players like Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Jerry West are up there in the Lakers’ rafters as well. Therefore, it is not hard to decipher that the standard is remarkably high.

Dan Duangdao of ClutchPoints adds more the conversation pertaining to Pau. It is a critical tidbit that everyone may not think about initially since Gasol has been in the NBA for quite some time. In his recent piece, Duangdao indicates that what Gasol has done overseas deserves recognition.

"While there are debates about Gasol’s place in basketball history, his accomplishments in the NBA as well as internationally give him a 93.35 percent chance of making it into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame according to Basketball Reference."

Duangdao presents a thought-provoking point. Sure, while Gasol may not be an all-time NBA great, the fact that he has affected the game on a broader scale cannot be denied. Not many players can say the same.

To able to inspire the next generation of athletes is a goal many aspire for. Although that is true, Pau is certainly one of the few who has made it a reality.

In spite of the fact that Kobe and Luke vouched for Pau, the latter’s opinion certainly matters the most. Jabari Young of mySanAntonio.com did not hesitate to ask if the 37-year-old ballplayer also believes he deserves the honor down the line.

"“Everything that comes after it is something you have to welcome and appreciate,” Gasol continued. “It’s not something that I expect. It’s not something that I think I have done enough for. It would be an honor, and it would be a privilege. I’ll leave it at that.”"

Whenever Gasol decides to call it a career, it will be interesting to see what the Lakers decide to do. It is not to say Gasol is not necessarily deserving; on the other hand, many former Lakers’ greats accomplished every bit as much, if not more, than the European athlete.

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No matter what occurs, purple and gold fans will forevermore be grateful for what Pau did for the city. He was connected with a few fantastic teams, ultimately resulting in banners number 15 and 16. Thus, even if his number 16 never gets up there, the championship banners will always be nestled up high.