The Memphis Grizzlies are looking to preserve the health of their all-star center, Marc Gasol, this coming season. Realizing he is arguably the most vital cog to their hopes of making a deep playoff run – and that he's returning from missing a good portion of last season with an injury – the 31-year-old is expected sit out some games to receive rest during the course of the regular season.

Newly appointed head coach David Fizdale, addressed the reporters present during the team's media day about his plans for Gasol and had this to say, per Geoff Calkins of The Commercial Appeal:

“There will be some games we sit him. I'm definitely going to preserve him.”

The Spaniard was sidelined near the end of the end of last season due to a Type II fracture of his navicular bone. He was recently cleared to resume basketball activities.

Gasol said his foot feels good and even considered playing for his home country in the Rio Olympics last July.

The last game the two-time all-star played was February 8 against the San Antonio Spurs. With many players injured, Memphis found themselves with an early exit from the playoffs last season.

Now that he is completely healthy and with a new coach that understands what he can bring to the team, the 2013 Defensive Player of the Year is expected to be at his best once again. Entering his ninth season in the league, Gasol will be someone the younger players will look up to as a locker room leader.

Should he make a successful comeback and be close to playing at the all-star level he did prior to the injury, the Grizzlies will become a dangerous team. With Marc Gasol leading the charge together with his other veteran teammates, Memphis can certainly make noise in the Western Conference.