NBA – New Grizzlies’ Gasol makes his Marc against Warriors

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MEMPHIS (NBA) – The Memphis Grizzlies probably didn’t want to part with Pau Gasol last season when they traded him to the Los Angeles Lakers.

It’s beginning to look as if the Grizzlies may have out-manoeuvred the Lakers, though, because in that deal they acquired the draft rights to Marc Gasol.

After agreeing to terms with the 23-year-old Spain international, Marc Gasol has paid big dividends with the latest coming in the form of 27 points and 16 rebounds in Memphis’ 90-79 win over the Golden State Warriors on Monday.

The ACB’s most valuable player last season with Akasvayu Girona, Gasol was nine of 11 from the field and also nine of 11 at the free throw line.

The seven-footer also made an impact on defense by swatting three shots.

"It's one of those games where you see huge potential," Memphis guard Kyle Lowry said.

"I don't think anybody knew how good he was. On the national team, he's a big banger. But he has everything in his game."

It was the Spain national team at the 2006 FIBA World Championship, in fact, where Marc Gasol got his opportunity.

Fran Vazquez had to withdraw from the squad because of a back injury and Gasol was added to the squad. He played important minutes off the bench and helped his country overcome the loss of his brother Pau to a foot injury in the semi-final victory over Argentina by contributing important minutes in the gold-medal triumph over Greece.

Marc Gasol has often cited that summer as the turning point in his career.

On Monday night against Golden State, Gasol had to battle Golden State’s Andris Biedrins of Latvia. He took put up big numbers – 16 points and an eye-popping 22 rebounds.

"Marc was just so solid inside," Griz coach Marc Iavaroni said, adding that the rookie "did a good job keeping his body on" the Latvia sensation Biedrins.

For his part, Gasol has had no problem with the physicality of the NBA.

The ACB is arguably the best domestic competition outside of the NBA and Gasol was a very physical player at Girona, a team he helped win the FIBA EuroCup in 2007.

"I can take it," Gasol said of the banging.

In other games, Argentina’s Andres Nocioni had 20 points and seven rebounds off the bench but it wasn’t enough for the Chicago Bulls in a 96-93 setback at Orlando. The Magic got a monster game from Team USA’s Olympic gold-medal winning center Dwight Howard. The Atlanta native poured in 22 points and grabbed 15 rebounds.

The Detroit Pistons won 101-83 at Charlotte, Philadelphia beat visiting Sacramento 125-91, Cleveland won 100-81 and Utah thumped the Los Angeles Clippers 89-73.

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