It was a pivotal moment in my career as a basketball player, but?also in my life away from the sport. My path aligned with one of the?greatest players to have ever played the game I love.

Just a few hours after being told that I’d been traded from the?Memphis Grizzlies to the Los Angeles Lakers, I was on a cross-country fight to L.A., as opposite a city as you can find. The next?morning, I had to go through a mandatory physical in order to?finalize my trade. The Lakers were on the road and I couldn’t wait?to join my new teammates, so as soon as my physical was over I got?on another plane to Washington, D.C. Kobe called me that morning,?asking me to meet up once I arrived at the Ritz Carlton. It was past?1 AM when I finally got to my room, and shortly after I heard?someone knocking at my door. It was Kobe. To me, that was a?tremendous demonstration of a true leader, and our meeting had a?huge impact on me, instantly. The message was clear: there was no?time to waste, the moment was now, let’s go get ourselves a ring.?His mindset was unmistakable—it was all about winning.

One of the qualities that has made Kobe so successful, and always?will, is his attention to detail. He always used to tell us: if you want?to be a better player, you have to prepare, prepare, and prepare?some more. His dissection of the game was at another level. I’m a?player who watches a lot of tape, I like to watch my opponents’?latest game to see how they are playing at the point that I’m about?to face them, but Kobe took it a few steps further than that. I?remember it like it was yesterday: we were in Boston during the?2010 Finals and I got a text from him. He wanted me to come to his?room to show me a few clips of how the Celtics were covering the?pick-and-roll and how we should attack it for the next game. I know?for a fact that degree of detail, both in preparation and study, was a?key factor in us winning those championships and many of the?successes that Kobe achieved individually.

In my entire career, I’ve never seen a player as dedicated to being?the best. His determination is unparalleled. He unquestionably?worked harder than anyone else I have ever played with. Kobe knew?that to be the best you need a different approach from everyone?else. I remember a time when we got together as a team to have our?annual dinner right before the playoffs. I was sitting next to him,?and as we were getting ready to leave, he told me he was going to?the gym to get a workout in. As much as I was very aware of the?amount of extra time he put in outside of our regular work hours, it?always shocked me how disciplined he could be even during a?relaxed situation. When everyone else was thinking it was time for?bed, his mind was telling him it’s time to get ahead of the?competition.

Over the years, a lot of people have wondered how difficult it?must’ve been to play with Kobe. It really wasn’t. All you had to do?was understand where he was coming from, what he was about, and?how badly he wanted to win. He would challenge players and?coaches to match his intensity, his desire, to bring their very best?every single day, not just at games, but at practices, too. Kobe?wanted to find out what you were made of, and if he could count on?you to help him win, plain and simple. I will always be thankful to?him. He brought the best out of me as a basketball player, and he?made me a stronger person, too. Our time was truly invaluable.

I’m the oldest sibling in my family and I always try to be an?example for my two younger brothers, challenge them when I think?they need to be and praise them when they deserve it. Kobe is the?closest thing to an older brother for me. He never hesitated to tell?me things as they were, never sugarcoated anything for me, and?challenged me along the way so I could give my best at all times.?Through the best moments, but especially during the harder ones,our bond only got stronger and we have always had each other’s backs, just as brothers would.

Enjoy this magnificent book, which reflects some of what I’ve shared here with you, the qualities of an extraordinary person. I have no doubt that you will be inspired.

—PAU GASOL, teammate 2008–2014