Hoops Habit
Fansided

Best Basketball Hall of Fame Inductee from each NBA franchise

By Daniel Lubofsky

INGLEWOOD, CA- JUNE 7: Magic Johnson #32 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles against Michael Jordan #23 of the Chicago Bulls during Game Three of the 1991 NBA Finals on June 7, 1991 at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1991 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
INGLEWOOD, CA- JUNE 7: Magic Johnson #32 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles against Michael Jordan #23 of the Chicago Bulls during Game Three of the 1991 NBA Finals on June 7, 1991 at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1991 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Pau Gasol, Memphis Grizzlies
Pau Gasol, Memphis Grizzlies (Photo credit should read JOSE LUIS ROCA/AFP/Getty Images) /

Best Memphis Grizzlies Basketball Hall of Fame Inductee: *Pau Gasol

Pau Gasol is not in the Hall of Fame just yet. He recently signed on to play his 19th NBA season. Yet for a Memphis Grizzlies franchise only in existence for a little over 20 years, they simply don’t have the history that affords them a player in the Hall just yet — Allen Iverson not included — with Gasol likely to serve as the first when his time comes.

Having grown up overseas in Spain, Gasol had the unfortunate soft label assessed to his game before he even made his debut. In a strict sense, his game wasn’t a physically imposing low-post centered style. He took jump shots and operated out of the high post at times, but that didn’t stop him from filling up the stat sheet.

He could face up and drill a 15-footer or attack the basket off the bounce. Gasol was blessed with an abnormally high IQ for a man of his size that gifted him tremendous passing instincts the Grizzlies used to their advantage.

The third overall pick in the 2001 Draft, he had to produce right away, lest he becomes labeled another overseas bust as well. With first-year averages of 17.6 points, 8.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.1 blocks per contest, Gasol took home Rookie of the Year honors and quickly had fans excited about his future.

Gasol wound up spending roughly six and a half seasons in Memphis before being traded. He helped the Grizzlies to three straight playoff appearances —  their first-ever — but was unable to win even a single game going up against the true powerhouses of the Western Conference at the time.

If not for a whopping six coaches during his tenure, Gasol’s 18.8 points, 8.6 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.8 blocks could’ve meant something more to the organization. He probably would’ve made more than one All-Star team.

Despite his shortcomings, Pau managed to get the tires spinning on a franchise without much success during their relatively short period of existence before his arrival. He validated their draft-night faith and would do just about everything he could to establish the Grizzlies as a legitimate basketball team.