Deciphering Whether Memphis Grizzlies’ Gasol is Best Center

February 15, 2015; New York, NY, USA; Western Conference center Marc Gasol of the Memphis Grizzlies (33) is introduced before the 2015 NBA All-Star Game at Madison Square Garden.Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

There seems to be an ongoing debate about which player is the NBA’s best true center today. While there are lots of legitimate competitors, is the Memphis Grizzlies’ Marc Gasol emerging from the pack?

Marc Gasol has been the Memphis Grizzlies’ leader this season. He was the Western Conference’s starting All-Star center despite playing for a small-market team. He has led his team to a 41-15 record up to this point of the 2014-15 season–good for second-best in the tough Western Conference.

Marc has come a long way.

The Grizzlies acquired him in 2008 via a trade with the Los Angeles Lakers in which he was traded for his brother, Pau Gasol. At the time, Marc Gasol was considered a project player that may never pan out to be a formidable NBA player.

Feb 25, 2015; Sacramento, CA, USA; Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol (33) shoots a free throw during the second quarter of the game against the Sacramento Kings at Sleep Train Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

Now in 2015, it is obvious that those thoughts turned out to be untrue.

Big Spain has developed into a terrific all-around player–a stellar defender, efficient scorer, and playmaker. He makes his teammates better.

But is he the NBA’s best true center?

There are becoming less and less true centers in the league with every passing decade because professional basketball is speeding up–translating into a guard-oriented game.

Today, who are Marc Gasol’s top competitors for being the NBA’s all-around best center? Which young guys are emerging with Gasol?

Now, Beale Street Bears examines the top competition for Big Spain and how he fares against those opponents on paper.

[Ed. Note: All statistics featured in this article were referenced following the completion of games on 2/27/15.]