When Mike Conley went down with a back injury, many thought the Memphis Grizzlies were going to just throw in the towel and sink to the bottom of the standings. That's not what Marc Gasol and the rest of the team had in mind.
The Grizzlies are riding a 5-game winning streak and are 5-1 in Conley's absence. In that 6-game stretch, they were also missing Chandler Parsons, Vince Carter, James Ennis and for a couple of games, Zach Randolph.
When people counted them out, they just kept fighting. Memphis didn't get their nickname 'Grind City' for nothing. "We just keep fighting," Gasol said. "I think you've seen in many games now that we just don't let go of the rope," he added.
When several of their key players were out, Gasol stepped up to the plate. He has averaged 25.3 points in their last three games, including a triple-double against the New Orleans Pelicans and a season-high 36 points against the Portland Trail Blazers. He has been lighting it up offensively all season long and is averaging a career-high 19.9 points per game on 45.8 percent shooting, including 44 percent from deep.
After their game against Portland, Gasol expressed that he wants the ball more. "I just want the ball," Gasol said, "I don't care where, how, I just want it and to be able to make a decision with it," he added.
Marc Gasol and his brother Pau Gasol are terrific passing big men. They have outstanding court vision and they can handle the ball well for people who are 7-footers. Giving Marc the ball and making him a playmaker is not a bad idea at all.
Gasol will have to do more of what he's done all season long because their next 10 games will be much harder. Eight of their next ten games will be against playoff-bound teams starting with the Golden State Warriors and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
They are currently sitting in fifth place in the western conference with their 16-8 record. If they can win at least half of their games until their roster is back to full strength then they will be just fine.