The Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2025 finalists were announced on Thursday. Former NBA players that were annnounced aa finalists include Carmelo Anthony, Marc Gasol, Dwight Howard, and Amar’e Stoudemire. While Anthony and Howard are likely getting inducted on their first ballot, Gasol probably has a stronger case than many people realize.
Should Marc Gasol be in the Hall of Fame? Here is a case as to why he should.
Marc Gasol’s Case For Hall Of Fame Stronger Than Most Realize
Gasol’s Time With The Memphis Grizzlies
Gasol was selected in the second round (48th overall) by the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2007 NBA Draft. In February of 2008, he was involved in an infamous deal that sent his brother, Pau Gasol, from the Memphis Grizzlies to the Lakers. Many saw the trade as extremely lopsided in favor of Los Angeles. While many still believe so, they also didn’t see Marc becoming the player he did.
Gasol joined the Grizzlies in the 2008-09 season after playing in his native Spain the year he got drafted. He became their starting center from the get-go and remained in that position throughout his time in Memphis. Part of the ‘Grit and Grind’ era Grizzlies, Gasol helped lead the team to the playoffs for seven consecutive years from 2011 until 2017.
It was during his time in Memphis where Gasol established himself as one of the game’s top centers. He was named to three All-Star teams and two All-NBA teams (first team in 2014-15, second team in 2012-13). Gasol was named the league’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2012-13. He also had MVP finishes of eighth and 12th.
Post-Memphis Tenure Includes NBA Championship
In February of 2019, Memphis shipped Gasol off to the Toronto Raptors. He soon became their starting center, and started all of Toronto’s 24 postseason games in 2019 en route to the franchise’s first ever championship. 34 years old at the time, Gasol wasn’t quite as impactful as he was in his prime. He was still an excellent passer for a big, a solid rebounder and rim protector, and above-average three-point shooter.
Gasol would play one more season for the Raptors before playing his final season in 2020-21 with the Lakers. Over 891 career regular season games, Gasol posted averages of 14.0 points, 7.4 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 1.4 blocks. He shot 48.1% from the field, 36.0% from beyond the arc, and 77.6% from the free-throw line.
Basketball Reference lists his Hall of Fame probability at 4.2%. So why is he an excellent candidate to be enshrined in Springfield?
Basketball Hall Of Fame, Not NBA Hall Of Fame
Basketball Reference only takes Gasol’s NBA career into account when calculating his Hall of Fame chances. The Basketball Hall of Fame takes everything into account though, not just what a player did in the NBA. What puts Gasol over the top is his international career.
The 6-foot-11 Gasol is well-decorated from his time playing for Spain. He won two silver medals in the 2008 and 2012 Summer Olympics. Gasol helped lead Spain to two gold medals in the FIBA Basketball World Cup in 2006 and 2019. Spain won two golds, a silver, and two bronzes with Gasol on the roster in FIBA Eurobasket.
Prior to joining the NBA, Gasol was named the Spanish ACB League MVP in 2008 while playing for CB Girona. His exploits playing for and in Spain should help him hear the news that he is a Hall of Famer, whether it’s in 2025 or soon after.
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