Marc Gasol’s Passing Ability
Being a massive NBA fan for most of my life, I had convinced myself that I knew all there was to know about the elite players in the league. I watch nearly every big game and I consider myself a knowledgeable observer, so why shouldn’t I?
I know James Harden is one of the best at getting into the paint and drawing fouls, I know Chris Paul barks orders to his teammates like a general while being one the best facilitators in the league, and I know that LeBron James has a unique combination of athleticism and basketball IQ that we may never see again.
I felt that I knew this league and its players inside and out. Then, I started following the Memphis Grizzlies. I learned that sometimes you can never truly understand everything a player provides for his team unless you watch them carefully and frequently.
In the past, when I thought of Marc Gasol, I thought of a fantastic defensive player that was offensively limited but still contributed just enough offense to help his team win. I learned that I was selling him very short. He is a more skilled player than I ever gave him credit for.
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Gasol has been underrated on a national stage among casual fans for several years, but I cannot believe how much more impressive he becomes when you watch him every game.
When I started covering the Grizzlies a few weeks ago, I made sure I watched every game from this season and several from last season as well. I wanted to learn this team inside and out. Doing so led me to the realization that Marc Gasol might be the best passing center in the NBA.
The statistics back up this assertion. Currently, he is second in the NBA for assists per game by a center with 3.3. He has finished in the top three for assists per game by a center for the last four seasons. He even led the league in 2011-2012, and 2012-2013. I expect these numbers would be even better if more talented offensive players surrounded Gasol.
The way he runs the offense from the high post can be downright beautiful. His high-low game with Zach Randolph is an underrated part of the Memphis offense, and speaks to the chemistry these two have developed during their time together.
He also has the ability to receive the pass in the low post, suck the defense in, and then whip the ball back to the passer (usually Mike Conley) for either an open three-pointer or as the first step in a series of passes that leads to an open shot.
Then, there are his sometimes ill advised, but always fun to watch outlet passes. Other than Kevin Love, Gasol throws the best outlet passes in the NBA. Against the Los Angeles Lakers last week, Gasol grabbed a defensive rebound and spotted Kosta Koufos taking off down the court.
Gasol zipped a jump ball of sorts down the floor where Koufos would do his best Calvin Johnson impression, grabbing the pass and finishing off the play with a layup. It was risky, but boy was it fun to watch.
The most impressive Marc Gasol pass comes when he almost acts as if he is a guard. When facing up against his defender he will start his dribble to the rim. When the help defender comes off of Randolph he quickly dishes to Z-Bo who finishes with a wide-open layup. Few centers are skilled enough to make passes like that.
This highlight reel shows all these types of Gasol passes and more.
When the offense runs through Gasol, good things tend to happen. Sometimes, the offense can stagnate and lack ball movement, so his playmaking from the high post is extremely important. Without Gasol, it is fair to say that this offense would get borderline unwatchable.
When thinking about Marc Gasol, defense is the first thing that comes to mind but as he has developed, he has also become a good low post scorer, a solid mid-range shooter, and an exceptional passer.
He is perhaps the most complete center in the NBA and though the Memphis Grizzlies will do everything they can to keep him, he should garner significant attention as he enters free agency this summer.