Memphis Grizzlies: 2018-19 First Month Awards
By AJ Salah
Most Valuable Player of the Month: Marc Gasol
As dull as it seems to have just three players hoard the five trophies here, there simply wasn’t much love to go around in the context of these awards.
Clearly, either Marc Gasol or Mike Conley was going to win MVP, and giving it to Conley just wasn’t plausible.
Not after he spent the season’s first three weeks getting his feet back underneath him, however understandable. Not after it took him 14 games to crack 40% from the field.
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Conley’s game seems to be re-ignited, and he should be on par with Gasol far more consistently, which can only raise Memphis’ ceiling.
But for now, Big Spain has clearly been the two-way force powering Memphis’ first month of 2018-19.
As noted prior, his defensive exploits have been up there with his elite career bests, also ranking among the NBA leaders across the board this season.
His impact on that end is weighted in value, as the defense has been what’s solely driven Memphis’ success.
Gasol’s scoring has been somewhat of a mixed bag. He’s shooting .443 from the field – among his career lows – while 16ppg are his fewest in five years.
But he’s also shooting more threes than ever, and drilling them at a career-best .426 clip. His four assists/game and 2:1 assist-TO ratio remain sterling figures for a seven-footer.
What’s even more encouraging is that Gasol – like Conley – has queued this surprise start while knocking the rust off. His numbers are up across the board in November vs October, and he looks to be playing engaged, passionate basketball again.
Next. 5 Grizzlies Performing Well This Season. dark
Those doubting how much Gasol has left in the tank have nothing more to worry about, Big Spain is back.