Since trading Pau Gasol to the L.A. Lakers in 2008, the Memphis Grizzlies and their owner Michael Heisley have been getting grief from opposing players and coaches, the media, barbershop critics, season-ticket holders, school children and their grandmas, grandpas, aunts, uncles, friends and neighbors for basically gift-wrapping an NBA championship to the Lakers.

That may be true but the Grizzlies didn’t exactly come out of the deal empty handed. Lost in the whole gift exchange between L.A. and Memphis was the not-so-highly publicized fact that Memphis in return got Gasol’s younger brother, Marc, in the deal.

Marc Gasol, drafted by Lakers in the second round in 2007, was sent to Memphis without much fanfare, but the soon-to-be 25-year-old Spaniard has developed into one of the top young centers in the NBA and he now anchors a young Grizzlies team that is beginning to make some noise in the Western Conference.

Through Jan. 19, the Grizzlies are 22-18 and 16-6 in December and January.

The foundation of the Grizzlies’ recent success is built around nine-year veteran Zach Randolph and their three young studs: Gasol, Rudy Gay and O.J. Mayo.

The quartet may not be as popular as Elvis Presley’s Memphis Mafia but they are evolving into one of more entertaining teams in the Association, averaging 104.2 points per game (fourth in the league) and shooting 47.9 percent from the field (sixth).

Randolph is one of just three players who is averaging more than 20 points and 10 rebounds for the season and he is complemented inside by the 7-foot-1, 270-pound Gasol, nicknamed “El Tanque” (which means The Tank) for the way he dishes and absorbs heavy contact in the low block.

Grizzlies center Marc Gasol is second in the NBA with a 61.1% field goal percentage.

“Zach Randolph may have the better numbers, but I believe Gasol is their most efficient big man,” said Covers expert Sean Murphy, who recently moved up Memphis seven spots from 19 to 12 in his latest NBA Power Rankings.

“One of the biggest reasons for their struggles in recent seasons has been their awful interior defense,” Murphy explained. “Gasol has done an excellent job of plugging that hole.”

Gasol is fourth on the team in points (14.6), second in rebounds (9.6) and first in blocked shots (1.5) and field goal percentage (61.1 percent). His shooting percentage is second-best in the NBA.

The evolution of Gasol as a force on offense and defense, as well as the steady hand of Randolph, have definitely taken pressure off Gay – the team’s budding star and emerging leader.

Now in his fourth season, Gay has become a complete player and is enjoying career highs in points (20.2), rebounds (6.2) and steals (1.5).

“We saw signs of this two years ago before he struggled last season,” Murphy said of the former UConn star. “Not only is he leading by example, but he’s also done an excellent job of helping the younger players such as Mayo.”

Like every young team in the league, the Grizzlies are far more comfortable playing at home than on the road. Their recent surge can be attributed to a 15-5 mark at FedEx Forum and greatly aided by a nine-game home winning streak.

“They’re a high-scoring team, but at home is where their strength is. It’s still more of a shake-and-bake team than a power team,” said John Avello, sportsbook manager at Wynn Resort & Casino in Las Vegas.

“They’re on a nice streak, but they’re in a tough conference. In the West, everybody is difficult to handle.”

So, are the Grizzlies finally getting enough respect?

“I think the key thing to watch will be whether they can keep it rolling through the All-Star break, that’s often when young teams start breaking down,” Murphy noted.

This article also appears on Covers. com.

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Throughout Allen Iverson’s brilliant 14-year NBA career, he has always been able to bounce back from injury, adversity or controversy. After the Memphis Grizzlies terminated his one-year contract, the 10-time NBA All-Star is now out of work and can’t seem to find a team that will give him another opportunity.

Iverson’s stint with Memphis lasted 65 minutes and three games coming off the bench, hardly anything to write home about. His final game was Nov. 6 in Los Angeles in which he scored eight points in 21 minutes before going on his personal leave of absence.

Memphis owner Michael Heisley recently told the Associated Press he would have traded Iverson if a good deal came. But there were no takers. Few NBA teams showed interest in the 34-year-old guard before Memphis signed him to a one-year, incentive-laden contract on Sept. 10. Memphis fans greeted the biggest star ever to play for the Grizzlies with a big crowd for his introductory news conference and eagerly bought up his No. 3 jersey, though he wound up never playing a game on the team’s home court.

Allen Iverson's stay in Memphis was short and bittersweet. The 14-year veteran was recently waived.

Iverson didn’t help himself much during his short stint with his fourth NBA team. He missed the preseason with a partially torn left hamstring and didn’t debut with the Grizzlies until Nov. 2 at Sacramento.

The final straw for Iverson was the decision of the coaching staff to bring him off the bench, something Iverson had a problem with when he was in Detroit. “I had no problems (with the hamstring),” Iverson told reporters. “I had a problem with my butt from sitting on that bench so long. That’s the only thing I got a problem with.”

Iverson continued: “I’m not a reserve basketball player. I’ve never been a reserve all my life and I’m not going to start looking at myself as a reserve. To answer the question, ‘No, I’m not a bench player. I’m not a sixth man. Go look at my resume and that will show you I’m not a sixth man.”

The four-time NBA scoring champ became the 16th player in league history to score 24,000 points in his career in his second game against the Golden State Warriors. Iverson can still play and he hasn’t forgotten how to score. He may not be a 25-point scorer anymore but he’s still capable of getting 17 to 18 points in the right situation.

So where should he go, or which teams are a good fit for him? Here are some possible destinations for The Answer:

–New York: GM Donnie Walsh is not opposed to bringing in a big name to boost the Knicks’ sagging Q rating for at least one season before they go on a full-court press in the 2010 free-agent sweepstakes. The Knicks need a headliner to keep their fanbas interested, and Iverson would certainly bring some star power to Madison Square Garden – even for just a few months.

–Charlotte: The Bobcats recently traded away guard Raja Bell and could use another scorer. A backcourt of Raymond Felton and Iverson could potentially work, and A.I. would reunite with the ONLY coach he ever respected in Larry Brown.

–Philadelphia: What better way to end your career than return to the place that you called home for 10-plus years. The Sixers have a lot of young talent but could use a veteran player who can influence the team on and off the court. Iverson can pair up with Lou Williams in the backcourt and has experience playing with Andre Iguodala.

–Miami: The Heat are more of a longshot because they like to develop young guys like Mario Chalmers, Daequan Cook and Michael Beasley. But Dwyane Wade would welcome another stud on South Beach, so don’t count them out.

–Europe: This would be the most logical choice and financially sound. Some of the rich Euroleague teams can afford to pay Iverson above market value, and he can sign a long-term deal if he wishes. Also, Iverson would be THE featured attraction. He can start, play the whole game and take all the shots he wants. No NBA team can offer those enticements.

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The New York Knicks are pursuing a trade for European sensation Ricky Rubio, who was taken at No. 5 by the Minnesota Timberwolves. (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

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