Memphis Grizzlies: 5 goals for Marc Gasol in 2017-18

Marc Gasol will need to be a major factor for the Memphis Grizzlies once more. We’ve outlined five goals to help him to do so in 2017-18.

The 2017-18 NBA season is nearly upon us, with the Memphis Grizzlies‘ opener scheduled for Oct. 18. In preparation, we’re spending some time setting expectations for the team’s most important players by outlining several goals that will, should they be achieved, allow for both individual and collective success.

For Memphis’ younger players, these goals will likely focus on potential areas of major development. For the team’s elder statesmen, they will focus more on staving off decline, and finding smaller, additional ways to be impactful. The topic of today’s discussion, Marc Gasol, falls into the latter category.

Gasol has spent the last half-decade passing the mantle of the Grizzlies’ best player back and forth with Mike Conley. He’s been a rock for the organization — a quarterback on defense, and a hub on offense. He’s restricted the smallest bit by his athleticism, but at the end of the day Gasol’s production has never taken a hit for the fact that he can’t run as fast or jump as high as some of his peers.

If they want to remain relevant this year, Memphis will need Gasol to be every bit as good as he’s always been. It’s not unrealistic to think he can be, though there are several potential pitfalls lurking. Let’s dive into a few things to keep an eye on.