Skip to content

Grizzlies coach wants Gasol shooting 4 3-pointers per game

Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

Marc Gasol has attempted 66 shots from 3-point range over his eight-year NBA career, connecting on just 12 of them (18.2 percent). In fact, he hasn't attempted two in a game since the 2011-12 campaign, when he did it twice.

His game isn't catered to being an outside threat, but, nonetheless, new Memphis Grizzlies head coach David Fizdale wants Gasol to adapt to the times and become a regular contributor from deep.

Fizdale has installed 3-point shooting quotas for the 31-year-old big man, with the hope that he'll take at least four per game, according to Sports Illustrated's Rob Mahoney.

He's reportedly even threatened to yank Gasol from games if he elects to pass up open looks.

The two-time All-Star has clearly gotten the message, chucking up 2.5 attempts during the preseason in just 18.8 minutes, which translates to 5.1 per 36 minutes.

Gasol was recently diagnosed with a bone bruise in his right foot, which forced him to leave the Grizzlies' preseason finale against the Houston Rockets. He underwent surgery in February to repair a non-displaced Type II fracture of the navicular bone in the same foot, which is a different bone from the one he bruised.

He's expected to be in the lineup when Memphis opens the regular season at home against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Oct. 26.

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox