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4 Reasons Why Marc Gasol Should Leave the Memphis Grizzlies

By jasaad

Mar 25, 2015; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol (33) drives against Cleveland Cavaliers forward Tristan Thompson (13) as guard Kyrie Irving (2) looks on at FedExForum. Cleveland defeated Memphis 111-89. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 25, 2015; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol (33) drives against Cleveland Cavaliers forward Tristan Thompson (13) as guard Kyrie Irving (2) looks on at FedExForum. Cleveland defeated Memphis 111-89. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 14, 2015; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Tony Allen (9) and forward Zach Randolph (50) celebrate after score by Allen against the Milwaukee Bucks at FedExForum. Memphis defeated Milwaukee 96-83. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 14, 2015; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Tony Allen (9) and forward Zach Randolph (50) celebrate after score by Allen against the Milwaukee Bucks at FedExForum. Memphis defeated Milwaukee 96-83. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports /

The Grizzlies are Getting Old

The two players who best embody the essence of Memphis’ grit and grind culture — Tony Allen and Zach Randolph — will both turn 34 next season. Allen and Randolph’s decline may not be so apparent now, but according to Father Time, they’re inevitably bound to become older and slower.

The Grizzlies’ identity is eroding as the Grindfather and Z-Bo decline, and the team’s downfall has commenced in February. Randolph averaged around 14 points and 10 rebounds on a horrendous 42 percent shooting in February, and he’s seemingly given up on boxing out all together as of March, where he’s averaged just 6.8 rebounds.

Tony Allen is undeniably one of the best perimeter defenders in the league when he’s dialed in; however, his attention to detail occasionally goes awry when he plays off-the-ball defense. Though the Grindfather was able to pester and get in the head of the league’s MVP during last season’s playoffs, Coach Nick of BBallBreakDown exposed Allen’s erratic team defense.

In the clip, Allen gets caught ball watching and completely loses track of his man, Leandro Barbosa, causing the Grizzlies to scramble on defense before conceding a barely contested layups to Andrew Bogut. It’s difficult to gauge Allen’s impact given his miscues on defense and inability to space the floor offensively. Perhaps it’s why coach Dave Joerger has yet to finalize the starting lineup. Allen was usurped of his starting job when Green arrived to Memphis; Joerger made this alteration in hopes that Green would be  better than Allen, but this hasn’t been the case. Opponents have outscored the Grizzlies with Jeff Green in the starting lineup, per NBA.com/Stats. Memphis’ unability to upgrade the starting lineup — given Allen and Randolph’s impending decline — is concerning. The championship window for the Grizzlies is closing swiftly.

Next: Memphis Can No Longer Creep Up On Teams

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