The Memphis Grizzlies are off to a good start and Marc Gasol is a big part of that. He is enjoying himself out there and he’s playing like the all-star he once was.
Marc Gasol is off to a great start this season helping this team to a 5-2 record. He has averaged 15.6 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 4 assists per game.
It is good to see him rebounding at such a good clip. This would be his highest rebounding average since his all-star campaign in the 2011-12 season when he had 8.9 rebounds per game.
This Grizzlies team has more weapons on both sides of the floor which help him be more successful. Which has led to his 12 shot attempts per game which would be his lowest mark since the 2012-13 season.
Gasol has played well in the wins this season but he has struggled in their losses. He shot just two for eleven in the season-opening loss against the Indiana Pacers while also shooting just four for thirteen against Sacremento.
Three-Point Success
He has shot the ball extremely well from three-point range, hitting 50% of his four three-pointers per game. The reason he has had so much success on those shots is that he is getting open looks.
85% of his three’s have qualified as wide open, which is when the closest defender is six or more feet away. The other 15% have been labeled open, which is when the defender is between four and six feet away.
His teammates have been key to getting him open. With Mike Conley attacking the basket and Garrett Temple hitting shots from beyond the arc at a high clip Gasol is able to get many good looks.
He has made five of nine three-pointers in the Grizzlies two games against the Utah Jazz. Some of the reasons for that is Gobert focusing on protecting the paint instead of coming to the perimeter to guard Gasol.
The reason for the success from deep is him only taking the open looks. He’s clearly confident in his shooting but he also understands that the offense can get a better look than him taking a contested three-pointer.
Defensive Success
His impact on the defensive end might not be the way you would typically expect with Gasol. When you think of defense with him you typically think of shot blocking and protecting the basket.
He is still doing that some but his main impact on that end of the floor have been by picking off passes. This Grizzlies team as a whole are doing a great job of getting steals and Gasol has been leading them especially the last few games.
He has averaged 2.3 steals per game through the first seven games of the season. That is tied for 3rd in the NBA with Russell Westbrook. That is less than only Jimmy Butler and Paul George.
Gasol has led the team in steals each of the last three games. He has averaged an absurd four steals per game over that stretch. The rest of the team has done a good job during that stretch as well averaging 12.3 steals during those three games.
The Grizzlies have averaged 10.6 steals per game which is second in the NBA. That only trails the Oklahoma City Thunder’s average of 11.3.
Can He Sustain His Success?
While Gasol has been on fire from three-point range to start the season he has struggled with his shots inside the arc. He has made just 41.1% of his two-point attempts which would be way less than his current career low he set last season when he shot 45.6%.
During the two seasons prior when Gasol has started shooting three-point shots his best percentage was the 38.8% he shot during the 2016-17 season.
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You normally would expect his current three-point percentage to drop way down but that might not necessarily be true.
He has only been taken open looks and if he can continue to only take threes when he’s open then it’s possible he shoots close to 50% from deep, or at least better than the previous two seasons.
His previous career high in steals is one per game so you’d be crazy to think he could keep up the 2.3 steals he is currently averaging. The way this team plays defense by getting into passing lanes it’s realistic that we could see a career high in steals for Gasol.
If he can continue to make big plays, the Grizzlies will benefit greatly from his impact. They need him to play at a high level for this team to be successful.