Toronto Raptors: 5 things we’ll remember the most from Marc Gasol

3. Gasol’s transformation from star to role player in Championship run (735 minutes)

Game 3 was surely the Gasol’s best game in the 2019 playoff run, nonetheless, it was only a small part of what he did in the championship run. Gasol did it on both ends of the floor in the playoffs like he did his whole career. The main difference this time around was that Gasol wasn’t the focal point of the team like he was in Memphis.

Gasol who is regarded as the best Memphis Grizzlies player in franchise history personified the Grit and Grind era alongside Conley, Allen, and Randolph. Gasol was in most seasons the best player and he accepted that responsibility. Even up to his last season, Gasol was the defensive anchor and the one leading the Grizzlies offense right until he was traded.

This is where life changed for Marc Gasol, a player who had to adjust to a much more supportive role on the Toronto Raptors. His points and field goal attempts would be the lowest its ever been, and Gasol for the first time in a long time wasn’t the player where everything would fall on him.

To go from first to fourth-fifth option is hard to do for most. But for Marc Gasol, he handled like a true professional and embraced the role. Not once did Gasol look out of place and he made the transition look easier than it usually is and showed everyone he’s really all about winning.