When was the last time a player 7 feet tall and at least 265 pounds had the ability to hit the mid-range jumper, pass the ball like a guard, score in the post on a variety of low hooks, simple finishes, and turnaround jumpers, have subtle bumps on defense that throw the offense out of position, defend the post one on one better than almost anyone else in the NBA, and also anchor one of the league’s stingiest defenses? Never. Marc Gasol is truly unique. The players most similar to Gasol are Tim Duncan (not as strong and, although he was a gifted passer, was not on the same level as Gasol), Arvydas Sabonis (he was not as gifted defensively), and Pau Gasol (nowhere near the defender and also was not as strong as his brother, Marc). Marc Gasol is not only the best big man in the NBA, he is one of the most well rounded big men of all time.
Rewind a few years. I’m sure all of you remember the (in)famous Pau Gasol trade from the Memphis Grizzlies to the Los Angeles Lakers. At the time, the return Memphis got for Pau Gasol in his prime was believed to be too low (I was one of the people who was appalled by this seemingly one-sided trade). The Lakers turned from a meddling playoff team to a finals contender and the Grizzlies made the change from a borderline playoff team to a lottery team. Fans across the league were annoyed — after all, the Lakers usually make out like bandits in trades. In 2008, Marc Gasol was not well known except to the most fanatical basketball fans that make myself look like a basic fan. In 2013, Gasol has shown himself to be a game changing and elite player.
The Grizzlies built the team around team defense, unselfish players, and a hard-nosed coach. The past few seasons, Rudy Gay was viewed as the focal point of the Grizzlies. However, to those who watched the Grizzlies, Gay was more of a detriment to the team than someone who actually helped the team succeed. He was, and still is, a player who eats up time on the shot clock, takes inefficient shots, is an inconsistent defender, and isn’t always the most willing passer. His TS% and EFG% were always floating around league average and for someone who used roughly 1/4 of the team’s possessions (24.4 USG%), this was a very very bad thing. Once he was traded, the Grizzlies transformed from an average offensive team into an above average offensive team. Although this may not seem like a huge leap at first, it is if you watch the game. The number one reason why: the team is taking more efficient jumpers, the ball is moving around more, and the team is getting the basketball to the best players on the team.
The Grizzlies are running the pick and roll with Conley and one of the two bigs. If Conley runs it with Zach Randolph, look for Gasol to flash to the free throw line. If Randolph is unable to get position in the post, Conley will pass the ball to Gasol who then has a few options. He can take the jumper, look for a cut from Allen, pass it to the SF in the corner for three, or wait for Randolph to seal his man in front of the rim for an easy drop down for a layup. As you can see, a simple play such as the pick and roll can yield many different outcomes. Gasol’s ability to hit that jumper forces the defense to play close to him there — this makes it hard for teams to double Randolph. Although the team plays at a snail like pace, they make the most of every possession maximizing the touches Randolph, Gasol, and Conley have by getting at least two of the three involved in the play.
Aside from Jerryd Bayless and, to an extent Zach Randolph (note — he has improved tremendously since coming to Memphis), the entire Grizzlies roster is made up of players who can defend. Conley, Tony Allen, and Gasol are the three best defenders. Conley and Gasol both made All NBA 2nd Team Defense (which is odd because Gasol also won Defensive Player of the Year); Allen made the first team. The Grizzlies defense is predicated on a few main staples:
-Funnel the players to the big men on defense: Everyone in the big men rotation for the Grizzlies can defend in the post and, aside from Randolph, in the pick and roll (Darrell Arthur is the best in this area).
-Play the passing lanes: The Grizzlies were 4th in the NBA during the regular season in steals per game. This removes possessions for the opposing team on offense and allows a team that is not an offensive juggernaut more opportunities to score.
-Be aggressive: Watch Allen play defense and you will understand Grizzlies basketball. Allen is a hard nosed, defensive minded slasher, who can guard point guards, shooting guards, and some small forwards (as he has guarded Durant for stretches this series). He uses his great strength to bully through screens, uses his quick hands and defensive instincts to steal the ball, and he uses his quick feet to stay in front of defenders. I believe he is the best wing defender in the NBA (at the very least, he is top 5).
As of today, the Oklahoma City Thunder are trailing the Memphis Grizzlies 3-1. The last team to come back from a 3-1 deficit is the 2006 Phoenix Suns. If this were last year’s Thunder team, or even a healthy version of this year’s team, I would say a comeback would be possible. However, given the circumstances (Russell Westbrook’s injury), I would say it is very unlikely.
After Westbrook’s untimely and sad injury against the Rockets, we have seen Kevin Durant step it up another level. Just when you thought it would be hard to top this regular season where he shot 50-40-90 and averaged 28 PPG, 8 RPG, and almost 5 APG, the Durantula did it. Since the injury, he has been averaging more points, rebounds, and assists — his numbers have been 33 PPG, 10 RPG, and 6.25 APG. What the numbers do not show fully is his newfound aggressiveness. Durant is playing the Westbrook role and is taking the ball stronger to the hoop for kickouts, is constantly moving his eyes looking for open players, and is making smarter decisions with the ball.
When Westbrook went down, I thought Durant would be affected heavily. I believed Westbrook was the engine of the team and that the focus the defenses put on keeping Westbrook out of the paint made it easier for Durant to score (I also understood that Durant made Westbrook’s life easier). As a result of this belief, I thought his stats would drop; they have not. While Durant managed to turn his game up to another level, the rest of the team, minus Derek Fisher, has fallen off. Kevin Martin has been streaky from half to half, Serge Ibaka’s offense has all but gone away, Kendrick Perkins’ series has been among the worst of all time, Reggie Jackson has shown flashes, but his offense has been inconsistent and has made some poor decisions (such as taking it 1 on 3 when you had Kevin Martin spotting up from behind the arc — this lead to a charge on Jackson taken by Conley). In order for the team to come back, Durant needs to keep doing what he is doing (if possible, take it to another level), and the rest of the team needs to come alive.
Durant is creating open opportunities for his teammates but they are unable to put the ball in the basket (this is similar to what happens to Carmelo Anthony). Ibaka has been spending the last few summers working on his midrange game; the improvements are very noticeable as he has been hitting them at a higher range and has increased his range slightly to the corner three (shot chart can be viewed here : http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/i/ibakase01/shooting/2013/ ). However, this series, he has been missing the same looks he was making throughout the regular season. Kevin Martin has been too streaky a scorer when he’s not hitting his threes that it’s hard to count on him. At least once a game he has a nice backdoor play with Collison from the free throw line, but aside from that, he’s missing easy shots. The 4th quarter is where the team is really missing Westbrook. No “Robin” to Durant’s “Batman” makes it easier for the Grizzlies to key in on defense and stop Durant.
OKC Adjustments
-Less Perkins: Memphis is a team that always plays 2 big men no matter the matchup. The Thunder have, for the most part, matched this by having a three man big rotation with Ibaka, Perkins, and Collison (who happens to be one of my favorite players in the league). Due to Perkins’ ineffectiveness on both sides of the ball (can’t score and is having trouble guarding Gasol and Randolph), OKC is essentially playing 4 on 5. Collison has proved time and time again that he will not make mistakes while playing, he can hit the midrange jumper, and is a fantastic team defender. I believe that he should be getting Perkins’ minutes.
-More Durant at PF: As previously stated, Memphis always has two big men on the court. As a result, when OKC goes with Durant at PF, Memphis has a hard time with the cross matchups — it will leave one of their big men either guarding Durant (which is a green light for Durant to attack and score) or guarding another perimeter player. Either way, Memphis is put behind the 8 ball. Although a team featuring Durant at PF will also create mismatches for the Grizzlies on offense (as Durant will have to guard a big man, which, unlike LeBron, he cannot do consistently), OKC has shown no problem scoring the ball. Durant at PF means another perimeter based player who can shoot from the outside.
-Role players need to step up! : Bottom line is OKC will be very hard-pressed to win another game if Durant is doing all the heavy lifting. He needs Martin to score more points on the same efficiency level he was at during the regular season; Ibaka needs to score more than he scored during the regular season; Jackson needs to play within himself — don’t try to be Westbrook and drive recklessly into the paint. He needs to pick his spots and hit the open shots. Perkins has to be some kind of positive if he is going to get minutes. Like I said when I was talking about the Knicks series — there is no point in playing players that are not helping the team win. Perkins is the Jason Kidd of the Thunder, in that respect.
The Thunder can win another game in this series (maybe two) if they get lucky. I, however, do not see this happening. I think the Grizzlies are too good offensively and defensively, have a great bench with role players who know what they are supposed to do (Quincy Pondexter has to defend and hit threes and Bayless needs to score), and are simply healthier than the Thunder. I do not think there is any chance the Grizzlies lose this series.
-Spencer
24 Second Clock 