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Memphis Grizzlies: Marc Gasol Always Intended To Stay

By D. Goodman

May 9, 2015; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol (33) after the game against Golden State Warriors in game three of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at FedExForum. Memphis Grizzlies beat Golden State Warriors 99-88. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
May 9, 2015; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol (33) after the game against Golden State Warriors in game three of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at FedExForum. Memphis Grizzlies beat Golden State Warriors 99-88. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports /
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On Monday center Marc Gasol made it official and signed his five-year, $113 million contract that would keep him in the only place he has ever played basketball for the foreseeable future.

And on Tuesday, the Memphis Grizzlies threw a party to celebrate.

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Deciding the occasion was worthy of a celebration, the Grizzlies invited all the members of GrizzNation to the team’s home court at FedExForum to celebrate the man they were calling “Marc Gasol of Memphis.” Hundreds of fans showed up to show their appreciation that the 7-foot-1 native of Spain ultimately decided to stay put and continue to anchor one of the best defenses in the NBA.

The event included a press conference where Gasol opened up and explained how there really wasn’t ever even a possibility he was going to leave the Grizzlies.

"“Once the dust settled and I started thinking about the process of next season, every scenario would bring me back to Memphis. It never opened up to different teams. So, actually, it was pretty easy.”via ESPN.com"

To hear that Gasol never had any intention of leaving Memphis must come as a relief to many Grizzlies fans as I’m sure some were holding their breath for the past few weeks, thinking he might be lured away by a payday in a bigger market. I’m sure that’s a large part of the reason so many showed up in the middle of the day on a Tuesday to show Gasol some love.

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It cannot be stressed enough how important it was for the future of the Grizzlies as a franchise for Gasol to re-sign and remain a part of the team. His 17.4 points, 7.8 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game simply could not have been replicated by anyone the Grizzlies would have had to look at to replace him.

Add in his clutch playoff performances and how he makes the Grizzlies’ “Grit-n-Grind” defense succeed and you have the definition of someone who is irreplaceable.

Considering the fact that the Grizzlies never even won a playoff game until Gasol joined the team, and you can see why fans wanted to celebrate. Since then Memphis has been a perennial playoff team, even made a trip to the Western Conference Finals, and are poised to make a return, as much of the core has remained the same.

Thanks to Gasol re-signing for five years instead of a shorter contract to take advantage of the increase in the salary cap, it also gives the Grizzlies a chance to think about and plan for the future. They now have a chance to draft project players and allow them to grow at their own pace instead of throwing them on the court and hoping for the best.

That way when Gasol is ready to retire (and yes, he will retire some day, GrizzNation) a replacement will be ready and waiting to take his spot.

Gasol has more than proven to everyone that he loves Memphis and what the city and it’s people mean to him. For the fans to return the feeling by showing up in droves to celebrate him singing a contract speaks volumes.

Kind of makes me scared to think what a championship parade would be like.

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