Amidst a rather forgettable season, Grizzlies fans had something to cheer about when the franchise retired the number 33 jersey of Marc Gasol on Saturday night after the game against the Sixers.
Not one fan left their seat after the 116-96 loss to Philly, because they knew the best moment of the night would come after the game.
Gasol’s jersey went up into the Memphis rafters, where he joined Zach Randolph’s number 50 as the only retired jerseys in franchise history.
The special occasion also brought together the Grizzlies ‘Core Four’ of Gasol, Randolph, Mike Conley and Tony Allen, who were reunited for the first time since the spring of 2017.
The crowd made the most noise they have in a long time when the four former players walked out one-by-one.
“I was ready to suit up and get 10 rebounds,” Randolph said of the moment he walked onto the FedExForum court.
Other important players from the franchise’s Grit N Grind Era showed up on Saturday, including Rudy Gay, Tayshaun Prince, Quincy Pondexter, Darrell Arthur, Mike Miller, Beno Udrih and Jon Leuer, plus Marc’s brother Pau Gasol and former coach Dave Joerger.
Marc’s former Raptors coach Nick Nurse and teammate Kyle Lowry also stayed for the celebrations.
Gasol is arguably the most important player of that era, since he ranks either first or second on the Grizzlies’ all-time leaderboards in practically every other category.
Gasol was also the only player in franchise history to make first team All-NBA in 2015 and had a candid message for the fans during the ceremony.
“I’m sorry; sometimes I know I can be a pain in the ass,” Gasol said. “I just care so much about winning and playing the right way, so thank you for putting up with me.”
Gasol is even more of a fan favorite due to his local origin and the narrative of being traded for his brother, then coming back and doing the city proud.
“I had a very unique perspective because I came as 16-year-old,” Marc Gasol said. “I had the perspective of a fan, of what is expected from the team in Memphis, and then followed the team in Spain. When I came back as a Grizzlies player, I carried that with me, and I carried that kind of pride. And I hope everyone enjoyed what they saw for so many years.”
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