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Stopping Marc Gasol is Warriors’ Key to Winning Series

By Greg Chin

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After days of waiting, the Golden State Warriors finally know who they will face in the next round of the playoffs – the Memphis Grizzlies. The Grizzlies wrapped up their series against the Portland Trail Blazers 4-1 today and will have four days of rest before playing Game One against the Warriors on Sunday.

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For most of the regular season, the Grizzlies were the closest team in the West chasing the Warriors. They held the number two spot for most of the beginning and the middle part of the season, before a late-season collapse saw them drop to fifth in the West. After all, it was the Grizzlies that ended the Warriors’ 16-game win streak back in December – which prompted many to pick the Grizzlies as the Warriors’ biggest threat in the West.

The rationale for doing so was that the Grizzlies’ size inside would completely overwhelm the Warriors and would be a more reliable offense in the postseason, when compared to the Warriors’ perimeter shooting-based offense.

The key to the Warriors winning the series will be stopping Marc Gasol. The Grizzlies’ offense underwent significant changes during the offseason, as coach Dave Joerger rebuilt his offense around Marc Gasol. The results were promising, as the once-sputtering Grizzlies’ offense was suddenly revamped into a top-ten offense (for the beginning part of the season).

Apr 22, 2015; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol (33) drives to the basket against Portland Trail Blazers center Robin Lopez (42) in game two of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports

Gasol’s greatest strength is his passing and shooting ability. Most of the Grizzlies’ offensive sets revolve around Gasol receiving the ball on the elbows or near the low post. In the low post, Gasol’s footwork and physical strength allows him to score easily. When Gasol receives the ball around the elbows (or in the high post), the Grizzlies rely on his passing and court vision to create for his teammates.

In fact, the Grizzlies’ use of Gasol near the elbows mirrors how the Warriors utilise Andrew Bogut. Bogut is an elite passing big man, and the Warriors have created multiple sets that revolve around Bogut’s ability to make the right pass. By having him stand so far away from the rim, it forces the opposing team’s rim protector to follow Bogut away from the rim, and neutralises their rim protection.

Ironically, that’s what the Grizzlies will aim to do with Bogut and the Warriors. A solution to this problem might be to switch defensive assignments for Bogut and Draymond Green. Typically, Green defends the power forwards, while Bogut handles the centers. With Gasol preferring to operate further away from the basket than Zach Randolph does, it might make more sense to have Green defend Gasol and let Bogut take Randolph (who does most of his damage in the low post).

Doing so will allow Bogut to stay close to the rim, where he earns his keep as a rim protector. Green has shown this season that he is capable of defending centers in short bursts – whether he can do it for an entire game is yet to be seen.

On the defensive end, Gasol is more than your typical shot blocker. His blocks numbers aren’t impressive (1.6 blocks per game this season – Bogut had 1.7), but his defensive impact is felt in other ways. He has a very impressive basketball IQ, and utilizes his great fundamental skills to make up for his lack of up-down athleticism. His defensive instincts are some of the best in the league, and his ability to corral dribblers and contain penetration is what makes him such a great defensive center.

Dec 16, 2014; Memphis, TN, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) drives against Memphis Grizzlies guard Beno Udrih (19) and center Marc Gasol (33) at FedExForum. Grizzlies defeated the Warriors 105-98. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

His ability to stop the ball-handler’s dribble-penetration could be problematic for the Warriors. Stephen Curry averages 5.7 drives per game, and the Warriors produce 7.6 points per game on Curry’s drives. Klay Thompson, who has improved greatly on his ball-handling skills, is averaging 4.8 drives per game, and creates 5.8 points per game for the Warriors on his drives.

If the Warriors aren’t able to get to the rim as frequently as they’d like, they will revert to their jump-shooting ways – which might hurt them if their shots aren’t falling. One way to neutralise Gasol’s defensive impact is to draw him away from the rim by position Bogut near the perimeter or at the elbows. They won’t be able to switch Randolph onto Bogut, as Draymond Green will be lurking on the perimeter, ready to fire 3s at will.

Of course, this is all hypothetical. We will get a better idea of both teams’ plans on Sunday, and it will be interesting to see how both teams adjust to one another over the course of the series. One thing is for certain: neutralising Marc Gasol has to be one of the Warriors’ priorities if they are to win the series.

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