Former Los Angeles Lakers center Pau Gasol has nothing but love, respect  and admiration for the National Basketball Association's "Black Mamba", Kobe Bryant.

Bryant recently announced that he will retire from the NBA at the end of the 2015-16 season. The destined Hall of Famer's 20 year career is nothing short of legendary, and his impact to the sport will never be unremembered.

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In the wake of Kobe's decision to retire, Gasol took time out to honor him and reflect on what made their team-up so magnificent as well as what they have accomplished together.

According to Chicago Sun-Times, the current Bulls center had nice things to say about Kobe following the latter's announcement that this will be his last and final season.

In 2008, the Spanish professional basketball player became part of the LA Lakers team via a trade from the Memphis Grizzlies. Questions arose about whether the two hotshots would blend well together and get with each other. Gasol and Bryant played seven seasons together winning two NBA championship titles in year 2009 and 2010. The duo powered the Lakers team to three NBA finals appearances.

"He's got that alpha personality," Gasol said, according to CBS Sports. "You've just got to understand where he's coming from and work with him the best you can. If you try to bump heads with him, it's not going to work out well. So I understood that, and my personality fit in perfectly with his and the team at the time."

"I never searched for my own spotlight, I was never trying to step on anybody's toes. I was just doing whatever it took to win championships and help the team, and we did that. We developed great chemistry, a great relationship and great respect for each other."

Pau rated his former teammate as one of the greatest for what he had accomplished with his teams and how long he has played.

TagsLos Angeles Lakers, Pau Gasol, Kobe Bryant Retirement, Pau Gasol Kobe Bryant, Black Mamba