Marc Gasol Has Had Himself One Hell Of A 4 Month Stretch
It wasn’t all that long ago that Marc Gasol was stuck on a rebuilding Grizzlies team. A franchise legend, at 34 years old there was a strong possibility that he may never get over the hump and win that elusive ring. Then he got traded to the Raptors but had to assume a different, more complimentary role and while that wasn’t something we’re used to seeing from Gasol he stepped it up when it mattered most once the Raptors made the NBA Finals. While nobody would give him the MVP over Kawhi, the Raptors do not win the title without how good Gasol was in that series. Suddenly he had his championship ring, and the narrative around his career changed forever.
Which brings us to this FIBA tournament. It’s not often you see a guy win an NBA title and a FIBA title in the same summer, but that’s what Marc Gasol has been able to accomplish. Today’s final hgave us a throwback battle of Gasol vs Luis Scola, and Gasol won that matchup with a cool 14/7/7 and a team second best +18. This is coming off his MONSTER performance against Australia in the semi-final
He was a backup the last time Spain won this tournament in 2006, and while Ricky Rubio won a much deserved MVP
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the story has to be the run Marc Gasol has had these last few months. It begs the question, after securing this FIBA title, did Gasol punch his ticket to the Hall Of Fame? Basketball Reference has his odds at like 3.2%, but as the Basketball Hall Of Fame continues to transition the Basketball Hall Of Very Good, I feel like this run may have secured it for Gasol. His brother is a lock there’s no doubt, and so far here’s Marc’s resume
2x Olympic Silver Medalist
2x FIBA World Champion
1x NBA Champion
1x DPOY
3x All Star
1x All NBA First Team
1x All NBA Second Team
1x All NBA Defensive Second Team
I think it’s tough to resist getting caught up in the moment and overreact to his last 4 months, but I don’t know if I put him in. I feel like there are guys out there with more impressive resumes currently not in the Hall. Sure he won that NBA title that so many people feel is important to enter the HOF, but is that the case if GS is fully healthy? To me, he’s the poster boy for a career that was really fucking good, but maybe not HOF worthy. That’s how crazy things can change though. If you asked this question 7 months ago when Gasol was still on MEM, there’s no way you consider him a HOFer. Now here we are in September and you have people on Twitter calling him a lock.
Not a bad turn of events if you ask me.