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Year in Review: Top-4 Memphis Grizzlies Moments of 2018

By AJ Salah

MEMPHIS, TN - DECEMBER 26: Marc Gasol #33 and Mike Conley #11 of the Memphis Grizzlies high five during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on December 26, 2018 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
MEMPHIS, TN - DECEMBER 26: Marc Gasol #33 and Mike Conley #11 of the Memphis Grizzlies high five during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on December 26, 2018 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Memphis Grizzlies Marc Gasol (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Memphis Grizzlies Marc Gasol (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /

Marc Gasol’s Prominence

AJ Salah: “Marc Gasol spent last season in a lackluster haze, understandably disconnected while going through his first run on a tanking team. Based on age 34 by next month, and surplus international mileage, fans and pundits alike wondered if he was about to be washed.

Instead, Gasol pulled a Ponce De Leon this summer, and came back looking like it was 2012. Despite a recent shooting slump, he is still putting up his best all-around statistical season. He ranks among league leaders in every major defensive metric, and before the Memphis Grizzlies’ midseason identity crisis, was a possible Defensive Player of the Year favorite.

Memphis Grizzlies: Marc Gasol for Defensive Player of the Year. light. Related Story

It is unlikely the Grizzlies get two NBA All-Stars this season, and might be lucky with just one. After a slow start, Mike Conley has been slaying, and his never-All-Star status may give him an edge among coaches for the West’s Wild Card spots.

Unless Memphis rampages back to the West’s upper-tier, Marc Gasol’s season may quickly be forgotten outside of Tennessee. It is a shame because the Grizzlies had a heavy commitment to this season, and plenty of it hinged on Gasol. That he came back as good as ever, amid so many questions, was significant.

So regardless of Memphis’ fate this season (and beyond) here is a nod to Big Spain for swiftly hushing the naysayers, and giving the Memphis Grizzlies new life this season.”

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