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NBA Player Power Rankings: Top 20 Players at Midway Point

By Maxwell Ogden

Jan 18, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) reacts on the bench in the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 18, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) reacts on the bench in the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 18, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol (33) looks to shoot as New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) defends at FedExForum. Memphis defeated New Orleans 101-99. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 18, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol (33) looks to shoot as New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) defends at FedExForum. Memphis defeated New Orleans 101-99. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports /

Honorable Mention: Marc Gasol, Memphis Grizzlies

Last Rank: N/A

Position: Center

Age: 30

Slash Line: .449/.667/.835

Season Averages: 35.1 MPG, 16.4 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 1.3 ORPG, 3.8 APG, 1.3 BPG, 0.9 SPG

After a disastrously slow start to the season, Marc Gasol and the Memphis Grizzlies are looking like factors again. The All-NBA First Team center has pulled Memphis out of the gutter, helping it win eight of its past 11 games.

Memphis, which traditionally turns things up in January, is thriving behind the strength of Gasol’s stellar play.

Gasol’s past four games are beginning to make up for the up-and-down play he’d provided earlier in the season. Over the course of the most recent week, he scored 19 points in a close win over the Detroit Pistons, and tallied 16 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists during a 2-point escape of the New Orleans Pelicans.

Gasol also poured in 37 points, eight rebounds, three assists, and three blocks during a home win over the New York Knicks, which is why he’s appearing as an Honorable Mention.

Everyone in the NBA is aware of how dangerous and dominant a player Gasol can be. It might not always show up in the box score, but the 30-year-old’s influence is felt as the catalyst to Memphis’ offense and the anchor on defense.

If he and the Grizzlies continue to play at the level expected of them, Gasol will crack the Top 20.

Next: The Rim Protector