Will Marc Gasol Make The NBA Hall Of Fame?
On January 31st, Marc Gasol announced his retirement after a 20-year career. Marc and his brother, Pau are considered the most outstanding Spanish basketball players of all time. With regards to milestones, they are also unquestionably the greatest pair of brothers to ever play the sport. According to Basketball Reference, Marc only has 4.2% chance to make the NBA Hall of Fame. Disregarding his great NBA career, Marc has the international accolades to push him over the top.
Outside Of The NBA
Marc played his first five years in Spain for the top basketball division known as Liga ACB with FC Winterthur Barcelona from 2003 to 2006 and CB Akasvayu Girona from 2006 to 2008. His career did not take off until he signed with CB Akasvayu Girona where he would win the ACB Most Valuable Player Award. But where he achieved his zenith was in the FIBA World Cups, Olympics and FIBA EuroBasket league.
Gasol simply does not have enough room around his neck for all ten medals he has won for Spain during his career. He has brought home gold four times, two from the World Cup in 2006 and 2019 and two from EuroBasket in 2009 and 2011. He would also win a bronze medal in 2013 in EuroBasket. Gasol would never be able to win gold in the Olympics but would win two silver medals in 2008 and 2012 along with a bronze medal in 2016. Gasol, nicknamed, La Tanqueta, which translates to tank in English would make the FIBA EuroBasket All-Tournament team in 2009, 2011 and 2015. The final year was capped off with a storybook win of the EuroBasket Most Valuable Player.
Outside of basketball itself, Gasol is considered an international humanitarian. In the summer of 2018, Gasol flew out to the central-Mediterranean Sea in Malta for a mission involved with a humanitarian crisis. He joined a search and rescue mission for immigrants called Proactiva Open Arms. The mission aimed to help African and Middle Eastern immigrants migrate to Italy for refuge but Italy`s Deputy Prime Minister closed their borders to protect against terrorism. Gasol worked hands on with Proactiva Open Arms in the Mediterranean in an attempt to rescue a raft of 160 immigrants. Ultimately, Gasol helped save one woman but the rest of the immigrants` whereabouts were unknown. "You try to help as much as possible to accomplish the goal. At that moment it was obviously to save the person that was alive," Gasol remarked.
Within The NBA
Gasol also spent 13 years in the NBA where his accolades speak for themselves. He is a three-time all-star and two-time All-NBA team winner with the Memphis Grizzlies. He has played in ten playoff series for the Grizzlies, even reaching the Western Conference Finals in 2013 against the San Antonio Spurs. In 2019, he was then traded to that year's NBA champions Toronto Raptors where he played an instrumental role in locking down Joel Embiid, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Brook Lopez. Earning a ring was the best possible outcome for Marc to cement his legacy next to his brother.
After falling short a year later to the Boston Celtics in game seven in the NBA bubble, Gasol`s contract was finished. He signed with the NBA Champions Los Angeles Lakers. It was clear that father time was catching up to Gasol, but he was still contributing as much as a 36-year-old 6`11 center could with five points, two assists and four rebounds within 19 minutes. However, the three-point efficiency never left, where he averaged 41% from beyond the arc. The Lakers lost in the first round that year to the western conference champion Phoenix Suns. The Lakers needed more size and athleticism.
During the 2021 offseason, the Lakers signed Dwight Howard and Deandre Jordan as replacements. Gasol was traded back to the Grizzlies attached with a 2024 second round pick so that the Lakers would save 10 million dollars in tax penalties. This was a full circle moment for Gasol as he was first drafted by the Lakers in 2007 then traded for his brother, Pau the following February. Gasol was then cut by the Grizzlies, five days after getting traded which ended his NBA career.
A Final Remark
While his careers stats do not jump off the page to fans with 14 points, seven rebounds, three assists and over a block a game, it is Marc`s contributions outside of the NBA that bolster his NBA Hall of Fame case. He won defensive player of the year in the 2012-13 season. He holds the record for number one Grizzlies player in blocks, rebounds, field goals made, win shares, box-plus minus, and value over replacement player.
In conclusion, Marc Gasol's illustrious 20-year basketball career is marked not only by his remarkable achievements within the NBA but also by his significant contributions outside of the league. His international success with the Spanish national team, including multiple gold medals in FIBA competitions, showcases his excellence on the global stage. Beyond basketball, Gasol's humanitarian efforts, exemplified by his involvement in the Proactiva Open Arms mission, underscore his commitment to making a positive impact in the world. While his NBA statistics may not immediately stand out, Gasol's influence extends far beyond the court, leaving a lasting legacy as a versatile and impactful player.
As for the question of whether Marc Gasol will make the Hall of Fame, the odds, as indicated by Basketball Reference, might seem relatively low at 4.2%. However, considering his international accolades, NBA achievements, and contributions to the game, there is a compelling case for his induction into the Hall of Fame, which often takes into account a player's overall impact on the sport. Only time will tell, but Gasol's legacy is undoubtedly one of greatness both on and off the basketball court.
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