Grizzlies Shut Down Marc Gasol

Grizzlies center, and candidate for the Most Improved Player award, Marc Gasol is going to be shut down for the season, according to the Memphis Commercial Appeal. Gasol has a partial muscle tear in his neck that appeared to bother him in the recent game against Dallas.

Hasheem Thabeet will start in Marc's place, as he has frequently over the past couple weeks, and the smaller front of Darrell Arthur and Zach Randolph at center will also see extended minutes.

This move was probably inevitable since the Grizzlies have fallen out of playoff contention and is an excellent move for the franchise. Thabeet's value will only increase with more playing time, which could be important this offseason as the Grizzlies look to Thabeet to either become a impact defender off the bench - like Chris Andersen for the Nuggets - or attempt to trade Thabeet for talent at a position of greater need.