Gasol wants Grizzlies focused on winning: 'This is the NBA, not the G League'

Marc Gasol and his Memphis Grizzlies have enjoyed great success over the past seven years. Suffice it to say, that hasn't been the case this season.

Barring a miracle, the Grizzlies won't make the playoffs this season for the first time since 2010. At 18-41, Memphis has taken the developmental route, as many teams do when a playoff push seems unrealistic.

But you can mark Gasol down as unimpressed with focusing on young players as opposed to going with the best possible rotation. Speaking to reporters Tuesday, he described his level of frustration with losing as "pretty high," and did not hesitate to vent.

"Winning is what this is about. It's not about somebody playing well or getting your reps or developing players," Gasol said. "Because we have a league for that. We have a league and a team here in Memphis to develop guys. ... This is the NBA, not the G League."

At 33 years old, Gasol's running out of chances to win, and his quality of play is declining. He's averaging 17.7 points on a putrid 41.5 percent from the field.

The Grizzlies started the year 5-1, but after Mike Conley was ruled out for the season with a heel injury, they collapsed. They are 11-36 without their starting point guard.

The season hasn't been without controversy either. Gasol took the brunt of the blame when the Grizzlies fired coach David Fizdale just 19 games into the year, in the midst of an eight-game losing skid.