Pau Gasol may no longer be playing in the NBA, but his love for the game and his admiration for the best players in the league still remains. The former Los Angeles Lakers star recently sat down with ESPN to share his thoughts on the current state of the NBA and the players who remind him of his late friend and teammate, Kobe Bryant. One player who has caught Gasol’s attention is Anthony Edwards of the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Gasol, who played alongside Bryant for six seasons and won two championships together, knows a thing or two about greatness. He has faced some of the best players in the league and has seen firsthand what it takes to be at the top. So when he speaks highly of a young player like Edwards, it’s definitely worth taking note of.
In the interview, Gasol praised Edwards’ skills and potential, saying, “He’s a very talented player. He’s explosive, he’s athletic, he can shoot the ball, he can create his own shot. He’s got a lot of tools and I think he’s going to be a great player in this league.”
But it wasn’t just Edwards’ on-court abilities that caught Gasol’s attention. The 20-year-old rookie has also shown a level of maturity and determination that reminds Gasol of his late friend, Kobe Bryant.
Gasol shared, “He’s got that confidence and that competitiveness that Kobe had. He’s got that look in his eye, that fearlessness. He’s not afraid of taking big shots or making mistakes. He just wants to be great and that’s something that I really admire.”
For Gasol, seeing a young player like Edwards carry that same mentality as Bryant is a testament to the lasting impact that Bryant had on the game and on his peers. It’s also a reminder of the importance of being a mentor and passing down knowledge and wisdom to the next generation.
But Gasol also knows that Edwards is still a work in progress and has a lot to learn. As a veteran in the league, Gasol sees it as his responsibility to guide and support young players like Edwards.
He said, “I think it’s important for us, as veterans, to be there for the younger players. To help them, to guide them, to give them advice. It’s all about the team and helping each other out.”
Gasol’s words of praise and encouragement for Edwards are sure to motivate the young player to continue working hard and striving for greatness. And with a mentor like Gasol, who knows what heights Edwards can reach in his NBA career.
In the end, Gasol’s honest thoughts on Edwards not only showcase his love for the game, but also his admiration for the players who remind him of his late friend Kobe Bryant. And as the NBA continues to evolve and new stars emerge, it’s heartwarming to see the legacy of Bryant live on through players like Anthony Edwards.
