Each NBA team’s most clutch player of all-time

Most clutch player in Memphis Grizzlies history: Marc Gasol

The Memphis Grizzlies are a younger franchise, without the longstanding history of a franchise like the Knicks or the success of one like Miami. But what the Grizzlies have cultivated over the past decade is an identity, and that is something that can propel a franchise.

Center Marc Gasol has been at the center of “Grit N’ Grind” in Memphis, not only as their best player but as someone who steps up frequently in clutch moments. In 2011 the Grizzlies burst onto the map by upsetting the Spurs in the first round, with Gasol putting up huge numbers and wing Shane Battier stroking a crucial 3-pointer to propel Memphis towards their ultimate series victory. From then on Gasol stepped up for a number of huge shots.

Key Moment: Again facing the Spurs in 2017, the Grizzlies reached the postseason as a lower seed after an injury-plagued season. With the Spurs up 2-1 in the series and the game in ovetime, Gasol caught the ball in the high post, drove into the paint, and tossed up a runner over All-Star center LaMarcus Aldridge.

The shot goes in, and Spurs’ heave misses, and Gasol once again led his team to a big victory with a clutch play. The Grizzlies were now tied 2-2 with the Spurs after starting the series down 0-2 (prompting the famous “take that for data” line from head coach David Fizdale). Although the Grizzlies would ultimately lose the series, Gasol was brilliant in the clutch.