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NBA Player Power Rankings: All-Stars And Snubs Form The Top 20

By Maxwell Ogden

Jan 21, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard (2) celebrates after the San Antonio Spurs beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 118-115 at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 21, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard (2) celebrates after the San Antonio Spurs beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 118-115 at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 21, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol (33) reacts during the second half against the Houston Rockets at FedExForum. Houston Rockets defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 119-95. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 21, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol (33) reacts during the second half against the Houston Rockets at FedExForum. Houston Rockets defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 119-95. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports /

10. Marc Gasol, Memphis Grizzlies

Position: Center
Age: 31 (1/29/1985)
Experience: 9th Season
2016-17 Slash Line: .464/.395/.825
2016-17 Season Averages: 34.3 MPG, 20.6 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 4.2 APG, 1.4 BPG, 1.0 SPG, 1.4 3PM

The Memphis Grizzlies are back in the postseason picture and Marc Gasol is the driving force behind that success. It’s seven games above .500, in line for a postseason appearance, and in possession of wins over a number of elite teams.

Gasol may not be the most appreciated of players amongst fans, but he’s earned his status as one of the Top 20 players in the Association.

The Grizzlies currently have net ratings of +1.9 with Gasol on the floor and a team-worst -2.7 when he isn’t. That’s the difference between grinding out a win and suffering a close loss—a telling truth for a team with a margin of victory of just 0.3.

Gasol’s value to a winning team like Memphis has ultimately resulted in the coaches voting him in for his third career All-Star Game appearance.

Gasol began this past week by posting 28 points, nine rebounds, and four assists in a 107-91 win over the Sacramento Kings. He followed with 32 points on 12-of-20 shooting against the Houston Rockets, and went off for 42 points during a win over the Toronto Raptors.

Gasol has now led Memphis to victories over the likes of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets, Oklahoma City Thunder, Toronto Raptors, and Utah Jazz.