Just a few days before the 2014-2015 season tipped off, the Dime braintrust seriously considered naming Marc Gasol basketball’s best center. It’s the frequency of seemingly innocuous plays like above that not only spurred such discussion, but also makes us confident saying we were wrong – the Spanish All-Star really is the NBA’s top pivot.
How many other bigs in basketball can complete this sequence? One-handed rebound in traffic. One dribble to initiate the break. And a pin-point one-handed, 65-foot outlet for a layup. Unbelievable.
Gasol still doesn’t always put up big numbers, and his early season MVP momentum has stalled despite the Memphis Grizzlies’ excellent play as a result. But when you take into account everything he does to help his team win – scoring, playmaking, rebounding, defending, talking, floor stretching, pick-and-roll thwarting, and more – it’s easy to see why Memphis’ title hopes are more legitimate than ever.
Big Spain scored 14 points, grabbed 11 rebounds, dished three assists, and blocked two shots in the Grizzlies’ 95-86 win over former coach Lionel Hollins and the visiting Brooklyn Nets.
(Video via James Herbert)
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