Fansided

Selecting the 2014-15 All-NBA Teams

By Brad Rowland

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) defends the shot by New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) during the first quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) defends the shot by New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) during the first quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
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Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol (33) passes the ball as Orlando Magic guard Victor Oladipo (5) defends during the second half at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol (33) passes the ball as Orlando Magic guard Victor Oladipo (5) defends during the second half at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports /

Center – Marc Gasol, Memphis Grizzlies

It is fair (and accurate) to say that Marc Gasol isn’t one of the best five players in the NBA. Still, the center position allows him access to first team All-NBA honors, and the big man from Spain is exceedingly deserving.

The 30-year-old center has always been (rightfully) known for his defense, and that is still the case. Gasol was the recipient of the 2012-2013 Defensive Player of the Year award, and he is been operating at a superstar level on that end of the floor for some time. The 7-footer lands among the top-10 in the league in defensive rating and defensive win shares, and while Gasol isn’t the dominant shot blocker that you may expect from an elite defensive center (1.6 per game), he makes up for that with flawless positioning and execution.

To this point, Marc Gasol has never earned first team All-NBA honors, but in fairness, he has never performed this well offensively over a full season. Gasol was far more aggressive in carrying the Memphis offense at times, undoubtedly fulfilling a request from head coach Dave Joerger, and that resulted in a career-best 17.4 points per game with a four-year high in a 55.8% true shooting mark.

On the whole, Marc Gasol has never performed better on both ends (career-high 21.7 PER) and the Grizzlies are, once again, in the mix as a contender for the NBA title. Casual and/or uneducated fans may look at the box score and shake their head at this selection over the likes of more “dominant” players (i.e. Boogie Cousins), but a quick straw poll of the league’s braintrust would lead you toward Gasol as the best center in the league, and he played at that level this season.