The 10 most underrated NBA players of the 2010s

5. Marc Gasol

Marc Gasol has earned a well-respected reputation around the NBA over the decade, but it’s difficult to realize everything he’s accomplished until you sit down and go through it all.

His claim to prominence was the result of lifting the Memphis Grizzlies organization to a level of respectability, which was not an easy feat to pull off. Before the Grit and Grind era, Memphis had just three postseason appearances, without a single game victory to show for it.

Thanks to Gasol along with the likes of Mike Conley, Zach Randolph and Tony Allen, the Grizzlies rose up and became a fixture in the playoff picture for most of the decade. They made seven straight postseason appearances and even advanced to their first-ever Western Conference Finals.

During that time, Gasol cut weight and became a unique force at the center position, averaging 15.6 points, 7.7 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.5 blocks per game across nine full seasons in Memphis.

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He was a three-time All-Star and two-time All-NBA selection — including a first-team selection in 2015-16. Gasol also took home Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2012-13, solidifying his title as a factor at both ends.

It was only after Gasol gave everything he could to the only franchise he’d ever known when he was traded to the Toronto Raptors. His playmaking and outside shooting were crucial toward helping the Raptors claim the first championship in franchise history.

Throw in multiple international medals — including gold at the 2019 FIBA World Cup — and Gasol’s compiled a list of accolades that makes for a compelling Hall of Fame argument.

The gap between Marc and Pau Gasol seemed too insurmountable for the former to overcome. Pau still holds the edge with a more accomplished resume, but Marc has done plenty to place himself among the greatest overseas players in NBA history.