Why Marc Gasol Is A Defensive Stalwart

[@armin38822]

Good defensive is actually booring for a casual viewer. Good defense doesn't mean crazy blocks,highlights steal that lead to fast breaks...it just means great positioning on the court. Specially in the pick and roll when a big man just knows where to stand between the ball handler and a pick setter. Duncan was amazing at that and marc also does a great job at it.

[@pacoramon9468]

Because of that mentality nobody knows how to defend in the NBA.

[@GTNover]

This is why Jokic is so underrated as a defender. Now Jokic's weaknesses hold him back from ever being as good as Marc Gasol, but he does have a lot of similarities defensively. Jokic is 5th all time for defensive BPM, and it's because of his large body with insane IQ, positioning, quick hands, and rebounding.

[@GTNover]

This is why Jokic is so underrated as a defender. Now Jokic's weaknesses hold him back from ever being as good as Marc Gasol, but he does have a lot of similarities defensively. Jokic is 5th all time for defensive BPM, and it's because of his large body with insane IQ, positioning, quick hands, and rebounding.

[@GTNover]

This is why Jokic is so underrated as a defender. Now Jokic's weaknesses hold him back from ever being as good as Marc Gasol, but he does have a lot of similarities defensively. Jokic is 5th all time for defensive BPM, and it's because of his large body with insane IQ, positioning, quick hands, and rebounding.

[@ReCharredSigh]

i once read a grantland article on marc gasol. when they started mentioning his defense, they quoted either an opposing gm, coach or scout, and he basically said that marc gasol doesn't do anything flashy or revolutionary on defense that nobody doesn't know. but what he does defensively, defensive coaches try for years and years to teach to big man, and they just can't (ie, come off the center to help on scoring threats, stay home on centers who can score). marc gasol just has that feel and knowledge for the right thing to do in every situation. the article also mentioned that a lot of centers are afraid to switch onto smaller men, because they know they'll score on them. marc doesn't care; if the defensive philosphy is to switch, then he'll do it.

[@bluerabbitjeevs]

If Memphis had a strong offence, then they would've had a ring by now. Their defence is so good it has carried them in the last decade.

[@kevinzhang5983]

Gasol got his ring lol

[@amazingarachnidman]

This is why i am a grizzlies fan, i love their defense.

[@pacoramon9468]

Just look at him in the World Cup, Spain was a defensive powerhouse for a reason.

[@mistourasal]

mann , this was great, must have taken you a lot of time to do this one. great details , i have developed a better appreciation of gasol

[@Miltonman100]

Call me a drug addict or whatever but id take marc gasol over any other center in the league in their prime.He has no holes in his game and hes the ultimate team player

[@pau11S80]

Miltonman100 if you're a drug addict, pass me some of that shit, 'cause what you say sounds good to me

[@chandlerhamilton3208]

Miltonman100 I agree. What I love most about his game other than defense obviously, is his passing. You could literally run any kind of offense and he'd thrive. Can pass, shoot, score on the block, great screen setter, and his IQ is off the charts.

[@leosun5000]

the Spurs need his defense

[@mihajlo2427]

i think drug addicts would be the guys who disagree with you. One could make a case for only a handful of centers in history being better than the mighty Marc.

[@ramonalejandrosuare]

I think Jokic is taking his place.

[@MrUrkel0730]

Thank you for bringing up the whole rebounding crap people always bring up amd killing it in 10 seconds.

[@MrSandyBridge]

keep'em coming!

[@jessiejames1681]

I randomly stumbled first onto your breakdown and evaluation videos and they are amazing! I just got into basketball last summer and your videos definitely helped explain a ton about a side of basketball that I didn't know about! I was hoping to watch more recent evaluations & breakdowns but then I seen your 'Channel Announcement' video. Still subbed & goodluck at UW-Madison! It is definitely a party school. Also how do you find the time to watch film on for these videos? I remember watching film on opposing teams in high school football & 1 film session was a minimum of an hour, on 1 player!

[@coachdaniel8163]

Thanks Jessie. It can be tough to fit it in to my schedule of working out, school, fun activities, and part time work, but I enjoy it and it gives me great satisfaction that others like and learn from the vids.

[@deandretravis6009]

Here as he Just Joined the Lakers !

[@kingcrab171]

I don't know if anyone will agree with me but I think over the last couple of years Marc has been better than Pau

[@cyber2cyke]

Jokic should be calling Gasol for defensive pointers. He'd be nearly unstoppable on both ends if he can emulate Gasol's defense.

[@Anran07]

Thank you. very enjoyable to watch

[@RasenRendanX]

Would love to see a updated version of this since he is at the Raptors.

[@deeway5964]

Great video as always.

[@jace_elspethgoyf3818]

And now he have a ring 😁

[@TeKtOniiiC]

great vid

[@cp3675]

your channel is outstanding! !

[@aaronjohnson6622]

Well done!

[@internaute_]

Great video.

[@gamersgame6973]

at 3 10 I swear he was trying to do the Stankey leg😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@LolYouHype]

Could you do a video explaining how Allen Iverson was able to lead a weak team to the finals in 2001?

[@coachdaniel8163]

Probably not but you may enjoy this video I made a few years ago. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mGWck6qLZ7RlnNU

[@GTNover]

Maybe i am just crazy. But I see so much of Nikola Jokic defense in these clips. Maybe that's why Jokic has the 5th best defensive BPM all time in the NBA.

[@megag52]

as an Aussie gotta ask, would you consider making a sim vid on bogut?

[@coachdaniel8163]

No only because it would be a similar vid, but that would be a good one.

[@MrCampy-cy1cf]

Wow thats so smart how to avoid 3 sec violation 😂

[@isdere]

We need this gasol with the spurs!

[@codyeble0713]

I just clicked the video to see what a "stalwart" is

[@mortajamartinez9176]

But he doesnt get rebounds (random fanboy, 2017)

[@coachdaniel8163]

But the Grizzlies are 4th in defensive rebound rate so who cares.

[@notDonaldFagen]

If there is no shot, there is no rebound to get. Gasol is a threat neutralizer. Proactive not reactive. He's the one causing reaction.

[@siberianskip]

How does he do vs stretch 4 and 5? How does he help when matched up against those guys?

[@coachdaniel8163]

Better than you'd think do to his smarts and feel on D. But it's not ideal as The Grizzlies want him near the rim of course and it's hard to help on a lot of drives.

[@ThirdBrainLives]

Marc Gasol has nightmares of Rudy Gobert

[@1023nick]

Definitely a player that uses brain over bronze!! Knows what his limitations are plays to the best of his ability. I wish more younger players watched him, he's a great example of knowing what basketball is on a bare bones level.

[@zaidthegamer8005]

1023nick he da best

[@comedian5264]

Gasol is a great defensive player, won DPOY in 2013 but the thing he is he's too slow to switch on a guard or wing also he drops back in the paint, which is negative if the PnR ball handler has a deadly pull up jumper like Harden, Durant, Derozan and Kawhi Leonard there's clips of him guarding Rondo who's a garbage shooter so he does drop back in the paint I categorize Gasol as a rim protector, solid one too. Just not a solid PnR defender seeing bigs need quickness to guard PnR ain't nothing wrong with dropping back in the paint but it has its own pros and cons

[@internaute_]

I agreed. He lacks explosiveness and can't guard best guard/forward in PnR. But I think, with his IQ Basket, he stays one of the best defenders at his position. Can he be in the All Defensive-team ? I think, he will be in the second team, Green and Gobert in the first (two candidates for the DPOY).

[@moritzpbbarvencik]

most centers cant stay with guards

[@Tipzyyy]

Well you basically contradicted yourself in your own statement. He's slow so he gives up space to force a jumper. Even with dudes like Durant and harden, you don't give up lay ups. It's not like he just let's them shoot for free either. You clearly don't watch grizz games

[@internaute_]

+Tipzyyy Who ?

[@marksines1246]

None of this highlights shows him relying on his athleticism, so he’ll still be good in lakers even at 36 and 37

[@demarr5811]

No he fucking won’t bitch

[@marksines1246]

@@demarr5811 watch the game dumb not the stats

[@demarr5811]

Nigga move like uh gd glaciers his ass gOTTA FUCKING GO

[@marksines1246]

@@demarr5811 you act like Howard or McGee isn’t blown by any guards, the just jump higher, but not way quicker than gasol

[@kotakice]

@@demarr5811 Gasol is a great passer, spaces the floor, is 1st in the league in defensive box plus minus per basketball reference and per statistics, he and LeBron are also the best duo in the NBA. Different skillsets so we Laker fans need to get used to him, there’s a reason Vogel hasn’t even benched him.

[@deandrepage1048]

Basically a STAY AT HOME defender that forces you to drain DeMar DeRozan Mid-range jumpshots 😄😄😄. DeMar would torch Gasol.

[@sakamoto8354]

Nah, Gasol probably wouldn't guard DeMar as he chokes himself.

[@pacoramon9468]

That nobody tries to defend in the NBA helps.

[@mr.talldarkandhandsome4111]

This didn't age well.....

[@StreetSpoken]

Wish he'd play in a better team

[@Argoscorp]

Better team? NBA FINALS right now haha

[@GTNover]

Maybe i am just crazy. But I see so much of Nikola Jokic defense in these clips. Maybe that's why Jokic has the 5th best defensive BPM all time in the NBA.