Paul Gasol Reveals The 1992 Dream Team Changed His Life: "It Made Me Dream Of Playing With The Best"

• Pau Gasol was inducted into the 2023 Hall of Fame

• He was influenced greatly by the 1992 Dream Team

• Gasol credited the Dream Team for changing his outlook on basketball

Former Los Angeles Lakers star Pau Gasol credited the 1992 Dream Team that went to Barcelona Olympics for playing a huge role in his journey as a successful ball player.

Speaking during his 2023 Hall of Fame Induction, the two-time NBA champion revealed how the Dream Team was key in shaping his career.

"Definitely a huge impact (on) basketball and it transcended basketball as well,” Gasol said. “I wasn't able to go to any of the games. But just knowing that they were there and I was following the games and seeing the display of basketball that they put together and the dominance that they showed the world, it was inspiring."

He further added:

“It gave me the ability to dream and visualize what I wanted to pursue and one day hopefully be in that league (and) play with those guys. It made me dream of playing with the best."

Assembled to be one of the greatest-ever basketball teams to recapture USA's lost glory in basketball at the Olympics, the Dream Team comprised legends in Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, and Larry Bird.

Rounding up the rest of the squad wad Charles Barkley, Patrick Ewing, Clyde Drexler, David Robinson, Karl Malone, Scottie Pippen, Chris Mullin, John Stockton, and Christian Laettner.

The Dream Team purely and surely dominated the 1992 Olympics as they won eight games by a huge margin and won the gold medal. And for Pau, watching these legends growing up, he aspired to play at that level, and now he's a Hall Of Famer.

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Paul Gasol Thanked Kobe Bryant For The Support And Unlocking The Best Version Of Himself

In his induction speech, Pau Gasol also thanked his former teammate and Lakers legend Kobe Bryant.

"That's where (Lakers) I got to know the person who elevated my game like no other," Gasol said. "Who taught me what it took to win at the highest level? Who showed me how hard you have to work and the mentality you needed to have in order to be the best. The commitment you had to make, what it meant, and what it took to be a leader, Kobe.

"I wouldn't be here without you brother," Gasol continued. "I wish more than anything that you and Gigi were here today with us. I miss you and love you."

During their time together, Pau and Kobe were one of the more explosive duos in the NBA and saw stellar success winning back-to-back in 2009 and 2010. Gasol's potential as a versatile big man was unlocked by Kobe who proved to be the perfect teammate.

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