Hoops Habit
Fansided

Greatest shot blocker in each NBA team’s history

By Daniel Lubofsky

(Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
(Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) /
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Marc Gasol, Memphis Grizzlies
(Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Best shot blocker in Memphis Grizzlies history: Marc Gasol

Marc Gasol’s success in the league as one of the best two-way centers was never a sure thing. Selected deep in the second round in 2007, he was shipped to the Memphis Grizzlies for his older brother Pau Gasol, who at that point was a perennial All-Star. The younger Gasol Brother wasn’t nearly as hyped, but early on, it was clear something was there.

He was never such a volume stats guy as so many of the games best usually are, but his impact was noticeable when watching the Grizzlies play. He’d set brick-like screens that freed up his teammate. On the other end, he was the unofficial captain of the famous Grit N’ Grind defense, winning NBA Defensive Player of the Year in 2013.

Gasol could hit jumpers from the outside, but it didn’t take away from the physicality he brought to the court. He’d face up and attack guys off the bounce, or operate out of the post, backing all the way in for easy jump-hooks.

He was — and still is —  one of the best passing bigs in the game, who could catch the ball just about anywhere and make plays for his cutting teammates. Over the last few seasons, the three-time All-Star has begun stepping out behind the arc and launching from there, converting at a respectable rate and added a new dimension to his offensive package.

Due to his size at 7-foot-1 and 255 pounds, Gasol couldn’t be moved by opposing bigs, making it nearly impossible to post him up. His stature made it difficult for guards to attack the basket, as he was fundamentally sound at protecting the rim, despite his relatively low blocks average of 1.5 a game.

Pau Gasol may be the better player, but Marc Gasol is no scrub. He never had to score a point, and yet he’d make a mark on the game in a number of other ways.

The Grizzlies haven’t had much success in their relatively short tenure as a franchise, but with Gasol as one of their leaders, Memphis was given some truly spirited basketball including a few inspiring postseason runs.