By Dionysis Aravantinos/ info@eurohoops.net
The Gasol Brothers have had a major role in their respective teams, using their experience to lead, while the Hernangomez Bros have been really helpful, improving their weaknesses and becoming more useful for their coaches off the bench.
Eurohoops presents the season Pau Gasol, Marc Gasol, Juan Hernangomez and Willy Hernangomez have had so far as well as their head to head matchups.
Pau Gasol / San Antonio Spurs
– Stats: 10.7 points, 7.9 rebounds
– Team Record: 19-9 (3rd in Western Conference)
To start off the new season, Don Pau was our 7th best European NBA player (remember the list) and so far, this season has been successful for him. The San Antonio Spurs have been without Kawhi Leonard but have managed to win 19 of their 28 games thus far. The 37-year-old Spaniard is averaging 10.7 points, 7.9 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.2 blocks while shooting an efficient 48.7% from the field and 41.8% from the three-point line. He has been a leader on and off the court for coach Popovich’s team, next to LaMarcus Aldridge, helping him and also taking a lid off his shoulders.
Despite being 37 years of age, Gasol is providing 25 valuable minutes a night on both ends of the court. His best games this season came against the Chicago Bulls where he finished with a double-double: 21 points and ten rebounds, but also against the Dallas Mavericks where he put up a season-high 25 points and six rebounds.
Marc Gasol / Memphis Grizzlies
– Stats: 18.9 points, 8.6 rebounds
– Team Record: 8-20 (15th in Western Conference)
From a team’s perspective, it has not been a great year for the Memphis Grizzlies. On November 28, head coach David Fizdale was fired after an eight-game losing streak, and Marc Gasol confirmed that they did not always see eye to eye. Gasol, however, is putting up impressive individual numbers: 18.9 points, 8.6 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.4 blocks being a force and presence down low.
With his experience, his skill set down low and also his ability to facilitate from a center position, Gasol is finding his teammates, assisting and making plays but also scoring down low, inside the paint. The Grizzlies have to improve, get back on track, and it all begins with their leader, Marc Gasol. His best games this season have come against Indiana Pacers and the defending champions, Golden State Warriors. Gasol scored 34 points and grabbed 14 rebounds on a win against the Warriors, while in a loss to the Pacers he finished with 35 points and 15 rebounds.