The 50 greatest players in NBA history, ranked by win shares
By Cal Durrett
Greatest NBA Player #29: Pau Gasol-144.07
Hall of Fame big man Pau Gasol was among the first wave of international NBA stars. Gasol started his career with the Memphis Grizzlies when they were in desperate need of a star after floundering in Vancouver. He provided that in a big way, winning Rookie of the Year, and helped make them competitive.
Gasol was later famously traded to the Lakers in a move that was widely criticized at the time, though he brought his younger brother, Marc Gasol, to the Grizzlies. With the Lakers, Gasol proved to be the missing piece in the post-Shaq era. Gasol and Kobe formed a talented one-two punch that could score in multiple ways, and Gasol added size to a big frontcourt that already included Lamar Odom, Andrew Bynum, and later Metta World Peace.
That core would go on to make three straight NBA Finals and win back-to-back titles in 2010 and 2011. Gasol later signed with the Bulls, where he continued to play well into his mid-30s and developed into a 3-point shooter, allowing him to adapt to the changing NBA. After Tim Duncan retired, Gasol signed with the Spurs and formed a talented front line with seven-time all-star LaMarcus Aldridge.
His ability to space the floor, pass, and protect the rim was a big reason why the Spurs made the Western Conference Finals in 2017. Gasol later retired in 2020 after 18 seasons after amassing more than 20,000 points (on good efficiency), 11,000 rebounds, nearly 4,000 assists, and 2000 blocks, contributing to his ranking in the top 30 in total win shares.