Memphis logically lost against Philadelphia, at the end of a nightmare season for the club. But Grizzlies fans at least got to celebrate Marc Gasolwhose number #33 reached the FedExForum cap.
The ceremony took place after the meeting between the two teams, Pau Gasol first describing his pride at seeing his little brother be the second player to see his jersey retired by the Tennessee club, after Zach Randolph, whose number #50 reached the ceiling in December 2021.
Zach Randolph was also there, alongside Marc Gasol but also Mike Conley And Tony Allenthe Spanish interior being inseparable for the franchise and its fans from its companions of “Grit & Grind”.
It is around this quartet that the franchise made the playoffs seven seasons in a row, between 2010 and 2017, notably reaching the conference final in 2013, before being “swept” there by the Spurs.
“The unwavering love and respect we received from the fans will always stay with us. Thank you very much for this, it means everything to us”
Marc Gasol will therefore have to wait for his transfer to Toronto to win the title in 2019, alongside Kawhi Leonard, but he will never forget his partners from Memphis, his champion ring containing the inscription “Grit & Grind”, this invented expression by Tony Allen to describe the blue-collar mentality of this team.
Triple All-Star (2012, 2015 and 2017) during his ten and a half seasons in Memphis, and Defender of the Year in 2013, Marc Gasol is the franchise leader in terms of minutes played (25,917), games as a starter (762), made baskets (4,341), made shots (2,701), rebounds (5,952) and blocks (1,135) while he is second in terms of games played (769 ), points (11,684) and assists (2,639).
“Last week, we were there with my family, enjoying the city, walking around, spending time together, meeting a lot of familiar faces, old friends. And the unwavering love and respect we received from the fans will always stay with us. Thank you very much for this, it means everything to us” he concluded.
Alongside his wife and daughters, Marc Gasol could watch his number #33 rise in the FedExForum.
