Wrapping up our ‘Greatest Memphis Grizzlies Of All-Time’ rankings, coming in at number one is Memphis’ home grown talent.
Coming in at number one on our ‘Great Memphis Grizzlies Of All-Time’ list is arguably the most talented player out of the Memphis Grizzlies ‘core four.’
Marc Gasol was without a doubt the most skilled Memphis Grizzly to suit up, but he would probably tell you that it was because of his team that he gets this mention. Gasol, now entering his 10th season in the NBA, has been a true professional on and off the court.
An All-NBA Rookie his first season in the NBA with the Grizzlies, named to the All NBA team twice, and a three time All-Star. Did I mention the controversial Defensive Player of the Year award for the 2012-13 season? Fans seem to get so lost in expecting so much from Marc, (myself included) that we forget how much of an anchor he has been for this team for the last 10 seasons.
| Season | Age | Tm | Pos | G | GS | MP | FG% | 3P% | FT% | TRB | AST | STL | BLK | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008-09 | 24 | MEM | C | 82 | 75 | 30.7 | .530 | .000 | .733 | 7.4 | 1.7 | 0.8 | 1.1 | 11.9 |
| 2009-10 | 25 | MEM | C | 69 | 69 | 35.8 | .581 | .000 | .670 | 9.3 | 2.4 | 1.0 | 1.6 | 14.6 |
| 2010-11 | 26 | MEM | C | 81 | 81 | 31.9 | .527 | .429 | .748 | 7.0 | 2.5 | 0.9 | 1.7 | 11.7 |
| 2011-12 | 27 | MEM | C | 65 | 65 | 36.5 | .482 | .083 | .748 | 8.9 | 3.1 | 1.0 | 1.9 | 14.6 |
| 2012-13 | 28 | MEM | C | 80 | 80 | 35.0 | .494 | .071 | .848 | 7.8 | 4.0 | 1.0 | 1.7 | 14.1 |
| 2013-14 | 29 | MEM | C | 59 | 59 | 33.4 | .473 | .182 | .768 | 7.2 | 3.6 | 1.0 | 1.3 | 14.6 |
| 2014-15 | 30 | MEM | C | 81 | 81 | 33.2 | .494 | .176 | .795 | 7.8 | 3.8 | 0.9 | 1.6 | 17.4 |
| 2015-16 | 31 | MEM | C | 52 | 52 | 34.4 | .464 | .667 | .829 | 7.0 | 3.8 | 1.0 | 1.3 | 16.6 |
| 2016-17 | 32 | MEM | C | 74 | 74 | 34.2 | .459 | .388 | .837 | 6.3 | 4.6 | 0.9 | 1.3 | 19.5 |
| 2017-18 | 33 | MEM | C | 73 | 73 | 33.0 | .420 | .341 | .834 | 8.1 | 4.2 | 0.7 | 1.4 | 17.2 |
| Career | 716 | 709 | 33.7 | .487 | .344 | .779 | 7.7 | 3.3 | 0.9 | 1.5 | 15.2 |
Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Taking the last second shots, not being afraid of those moments late in games, and never reacting to the outside noise at times when I think he should. An example of this was the past season when the Memphis Grizzlies fired Head Coach David Fizdale, and everyone in the nation blamed Marc for the firing.
Marc is the easy target, and he answered question after question, and even held a meeting with local reporters to discuss what really happened like the professional he has always been. Coming from Europe, and having a different style of play has not handicapped Gasol, but made it hard at time for to realize “this is my moment,” the same thing his brother struggled with in Memphis.
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European ball is a more unselfish style of play, and no one is really on a hot streak, but sticking to the plan of finding the best shot. Ball flying East to west around the court trying to find the open shot. Where as in the NBA, if you’re hot, the coaches are looking for you to make plays.
This previous season was good for Marc, not only for developing his “knowing when to go” mentality, but knowing how to handle a tough situation or assignment that was missed.
I like discussing the core four and their jobs developing Memphis’ youth, and their time off the court with the city. With Marc it is being an ambassador to one of the nations biggest cancer research hospitals in St. Jude. Gasol has not only given time to the city of Memphis, but to his home land of Spain.
Marc Gasol being the most well rounded on the floor, and being bigger than the game of basketball has a Memphis Grizzly has Gasol coming in at number one on our ‘Greatest Memphis Grizzlies All-Time list.’