The Toronto Raptors' timely addition of Marc Gasol was one the team likely lined up with eyes on the future, anticipating a potential matchup against Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers.
Embiid has quickly ascended to becoming one of the best, if not the best center in the league, making the 7-foot-1 Gasol the likely cog tasked with defending him for the majority of the game.
“Adding Marc Gasol reminds me of when Cleveland went and got Shaq to help guard Dwight Howard,” an anonymous scout told Sports Illustrated. “They’re all in, so they got Gasol to guard Joel Embiid. If you go back to his games with the Grizzlies, Gasol made Embiid work.
“Gasol makes them better because in the playoffs it tends to become a half-court game, and he’s just such a good fundamental player. There was a staleness that had set in with Memphis, so this should reenergize him.”
The change of scenery surely will play a factor for 34-year-old Gasol, who has the height, the body, and the experience to put the clamps on Embiid if these two teams meet in the playoffs.
The Boston Celtics have already figured out a stopped for Embiid in Al Horford, and it was only time that the Raptors found theirs too.
In addition to that, Gasol's innate passing ability, his screening game and improved 3-point shot could all prove to be potential assets for the Raptors at a time when versatility is at a premium — making him indispensable at both sides of the court for a Raptors team with high aspirations.
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