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The Memphis Grizzlies owe a debt to Pau Gasol — the least they could do is retire his jersey

By Jacob Ellerbee

SAN ANTONIO, TX - NOVEMBER 21: Pau Gasol #16 of the San Antonio Spurs signs autographs before an NBA game against the Memphis Grizzlies on November 21, 2018 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. 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. (Photo by Edward A. Ornelas/Getty Images)
SAN ANTONIO, TX - NOVEMBER 21: Pau Gasol #16 of the San Antonio Spurs signs autographs before an NBA game against the Memphis Grizzlies on November 21, 2018 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. 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. (Photo by Edward A. Ornelas/Getty Images) /
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The greatest player to ever don a Memphis Grizzlies uniform, Pau Gasol, recently announced his retirement from the game of basketball.

The fact that our organization has yet to formally acknowledged Gasol’s incredible career is beyond comprehension. The fact they have not followed the Los Angeles Lakers with an announcement that his iconic No. 16 jersey will be retired is shameful. The fact that they haven’t even sent out a press release thanking him for his years of service in Memphis has me speechless.

Pau Gasol is one of the most decorated basketball players of all time. Hoops Hype recently listed him as the 57th greatest player of all time. You can expect the NBA to do the same when they release their list of the 75 greatest NBA players of all time (in honor of the 75th anniversary of the NBA) in the near future.

The Memphis Grizzlies need to retire Pau Gasol’s iconic No. 16 jersey in the rafters of FedEx Forum

Gasol played more games in Memphis (476) than he did with any other franchise during his 18 years in the NBA. Yes, Gasol helped the Lakers win two NBA Championships, but he accomplished something arguably more difficult in Memphis — pulling an NBA franchise out of the abyss of irrelevancy and putting an entire city on the global basketball map.

Gasol was the first to accomplish many, many things in Memphis.

He was the first Grizzlies player to be named NBA Rookie of the Year (2001-02). He was our first-ever NBA All-Star (2005-06). He was the most important player that got Memphis to its first-ever appearance in the NBA Playoffs (2003-04). Gasol still holds the franchise record for blocks per game (1.8). He’s a Top 5 leader in franchise history in every major statistical category 

Gasol is a big reason why Memphis was able to go to three-straight NBA playoffs and his departure paved the way for the Grit-n-Grind era to exist.

The Grizzlies acknowledged that they’d retire the jerseys of Mike Conley and Marc Gasol as they were literally being traded to new teams back in 2019. So what’s the delay here with Pau?

This is a call for the Grizzlies owners and front office to retire Pau Gasol’s No. 16 and acknowledge the incredible and historic accomplishments he made not just in Memphis, but around the world.

The two-time NBA champion, three-time Olympic medalist, six-time NBA All-Star, and former NBA ROTY deserves better from his first and longest-tenured NBA team.

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Gasol averaged 18.8 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game during his seven seasons with the Memphis Grizzlies.

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