The Memphis Grizzlies are set to embark on a new adventure this season without veterans Vince Carter, Zach Randolph, and Tony Allen, who signed with different teams during this free agency craze of an offseason.
A leadership role is more than ever etched into cornerstone Marc Gasol, who is recovering from an injury he suffered during this year's EuroBasket tournament, having sat out the first two games of the preseason for the team.
“[I'm] getting there. Getting there,” Gasol said of his injury, according to Peter Edmiston of The Commercial Appeal. “Obviously not where I worked all summer to be at this point, but improving every day, getting more comfortable with the high ankle sprain. It's getting better.”
The Grizzlies, who now lack the physical grit of veterans like Randolph and Allen, will have to morph this group into a different style of plays, putting the Grit-N-Grind days behind them as they hope to grow through their youth. Changes include playing at a faster pace, one which coach David Fizdale has put into motion early in this preseason, racking up two wins in the process.
“The faster pace thing, that's important,” said Gasol. “The not walking the ball up the floor as often, that's a thing for everybody. We're definitely going to see a faster game, that's for sure, that's obvious.”
Gasol's role will grow as the lone frontcourt star in the team, and the team's senior citizen at 32 years of age.
“My role is to lead – lead the team. However fast they want to play, doesn't matter, the ball is gonna find me, however it has to find me, then I've gotta make a decision. To me, that's the easiest part.”
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