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Marc Gasol – Memphis Grizzlies
Age: 31
2015-16 Per Game Averages: 16.6 points, seven rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.3 blocks.
Career Per Game Averages: 14.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.5 blocks.
Just like Dwight, Marc Gasol might have been a lot higher on this list recently.
He was the Defensive Player of the Year in 2013 and Gasol was widely regarded as one of, if not the best center in the NBA. Big Spain had size, scoring, passing and defense in spades. His rebounding was never a particular strength despite his 7’1”, 255-pound frame but it didn’t need to be.
However, it is now 2016 and Marc Gasol has not only struggled with injury this year but he also seemed to have lost a step before that. He is still a great center and he will look to prove that during the coming season with a new and improved Grizzlies roster.
Big Spain is still one of the elite two-way centers in the league and his offense remains almost unpredictable and unmatchable, in typical Gasol fashion.
“No other center was as much of a threat from the elbow as Marc, who could easily and decisively either find a cutter, nail a set shot, or pass to a three-point shooter. All of that is still true, but even before the broken foot that ended this past season prematurely and made us seriously concerned for his future, he had lost a step on defense,” said Matthew Rothstein of Dime Magazine.
That’s fair enough. Marc Gasol remains a valuable defensive anchor and one of the best passing big men the league has to offer. If he can put a good, healthy season behind him, Gasol can be much higher than eighth but the rankings are unbelievably tight and his lack of health has harmed him here.
Next: No. 7