Jimmy Butler surprised Pau Gasol as his Lakers jersey retirement ceremony recently. The two shared a special moment together and fans forgot they once played together.
There are few players (twelve in fact) who have the honor of having their jersey hung up in the rafters at the Lakers’ arena.
Pau Gasol is the latest Lakers legend to be immortalised after he had his jersey retired on Tuesday (7 March) night. The Spanish NBA star enjoyed the highlights of his career in the Purple & Gold of LA.
Gasol pays tribute to Kobe Bryant
Alongside Kobe Bryant, Gasol won two NBA championship in 2009 and 2010. Given their close relationship on and off the court, it was only right that Pau’s No.16 jersey was lifted to sit alongside Kobe’s No.8 and No.24 jerseys
“I think I’ve done as good as I could to really embrace it and savor it, but tonight really exceeds any dream or expectation that I’ve had,” Gasol said during the ceremony. “It means so much, and obviously with Kobe up there, it just adds something meaningful and powerful and sad and happy and painful and joyful. It’s a lot of things.”
Jimmy Butler surprises Pau Gasol at jersey retirement ceremony
One of the many wholesome moments of the night came when Jimmy Butler surprised Pau Gasol. The Miami Heat star walked out to the arena floor with Pau’s Lakers jersey draped over his shoulder.
Footage showed Butler then tap the unsuspecting Pau on the shoulder before hugging Gasol’s wife Catherine and his children.
Pau then immediately got up and hugged his former teammate in what was a heart-warming embrace:
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Earlier in the night Jimmy was asked why he was there. Butler had flown to LA between the Heat’s two home games to celebrate with Pau.
“What’s this guy’s name? Pau? I’m here because of Pau, obviously! Congrats to my brother Pau. I love you man. Much deserved, Hall-of-Fame coming soon,” Butler said.
When did they play together?
Many fans forgot that Pau Gasol and Jimmy Butler actually played together. The two were teammates on the Chicago Bulls between 2014-2016.
Pau went to play for the Bulls after leaving the Lakers in 2014. Butler was drafted by the Bulls in 2011 and played there until 2017, so the pair got to play with each other for a couple of seasons.
Gasol played in 150 games for the Bulls, and averaged 17.6 points and 11.4 rebounds per game. At that stage he was getting towards the twilight of his career but it’s clear he hit it off with Butler who was a rising star at the time.
It’s pretty cool to see them stay close after all these years as both men are particular fan favorites.
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