Talk about ending 2010 with a bang! The game between the Kings and Grizzlies on Dec. 29 at Arco Arena in Sacramento involved two buzzer-beaters – both in spectacular fashion.

With five seconds left in the fourth quarter and the Kings holding a slim 97-96 lead, Grizzlies point guard Mike Conley inbounded the ball to O.J. Mayo, who took a couple of dribbles toward the top and made an off-balance, fadeaway jump shot to give Memphis a 98-97 lead with 1.5 seconds remaining. Game over, right? Wrong.

After Mayo’s amazing play, the crowd in Sacramento went nearly dead silent sensing that the game had been won. Even one sideline reporter was too quick to walk on the court to get some postgame interviews.

But hold on Mr Reporter! The game is not over yet.

DeMarcus Cousins inbounded the ball to Tyreke Evans from the baseline and Evans took one dribble and launched a desperation shot from well beyond halfcourt and swished it just just before the red light went on. Kings win, 100-98!

The Kings players and coaching staff celebrated as if they had just won the NBA title, and Evans certainly milked his shining moment by jumping on top of the official’s table as the whole building erupted (haven’t heard this building this loud since Mike Bibby hit a game-winning shot in Game 5 of the 2002 Western Conference finals against the Lakers).

The Kings are in dire need of a spark this season and Evans may have just provided it with his incredible shot. Even though we’ve only played just a quarter of the season, Evans’ buzzer-beater may be the shot of the year in the NBA. See for yourself…

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Memphis Grizzlies guard O.J. Mayo was among four players cut from Team USA. (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

USA Basketball President Jerry Colangelo and head coach Mike Krzyzewski have trimmed the U.S. roster to 15 players, which meant four players were cut.

Those who were left off the 15-man roster were guards Tyreke Evans and O.J. Mayo, forward Gerald Wallace and center JaVale McGee were cut. Evans could have made it the final 12-man roster that will represent Team USA at the FIBA World Championships in Turkey, but he missed most of training camp with a sprained ankle. The 2010 NBA Rookie of the Year will get another chance in two years for the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

Because Team USA was already loaded with guards, there was simply no room for a guy like Mayo. The Memphis Grizzlies shooting guard doesn’t really have a specialty and is more of a volume shooter. Coach K and his staff chose to keep shooting guards Eric Gordon, Danny Granger and Andre Iguodala instead.

Wallace could have filled the role of defensive stopper, but his limited offensive skills probably kept him from wearing the USA colors. Coach K and Co. didn’t want to sacrifice a top-notch guard for a small forward with limited range, and Wallace would have been overmatched at power forward.

McGee was a late invite to training camp in Las Vegas after Amare Stoudemire didn’t bother to show up and Robin Lopez has not completely healed from his back injury. Then, two days into camp, forward David Lee dislocated his finger and had to drop out, which gave McGee a glimmer of hope to make the roster.

Despite playing well in the scrimmage showcase at Thomas & Mack Center, McGee was let go as Coach K chose to keep Tyson Chandler and Brook Lopez, two players with a little more playing experience than the 22-year-0ld Wizards center. But the future is very bright for McGee, who dominated the Las Vegas Summer League and should be the Wizards starting center heading into this season. Lopez didn’t particularly play well in the scrimmage, but the 7-foot center is one of the few legit post-up players in camp and the team desperately needs big bodies.

“We do want to see how Brook Lopez looks after two weeks of getting himself in shape,” Colangelo told reporters. “He knows he struggled, he’s disappointed in his performance, but he wants this opportunity and when somebody has that kind of an attitude you’re going to give him a little bit of rope.”

Named as finalists for the USA World Championship Team include: Chauncey Billups (Denver Nuggets); Chandler (Dallas Mavericks); Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors); Kevin Durant (Oklahoma City Thunder); Rudy Gay (Memphis Grizzlies); Gordon (Los Angeles Clippers); Granger (Indiana Pacers); Jeff Green (Oklahoma City Thunder); Iguodala (Philadelphia 76ers); Lopez (New Jersey Nets); Kevin Love (Minnesota Timberwolves); Lamar Odom (Los Angeles Lakers); Rajon Rondo (Boston Celtics); Derrick Rose (Chicago Bulls); and Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City Thunder).

Team USA will take a short break before reopening camp on Aug. 9. The team plays an exhibition game on Aug. 15 against France at Madison Square Garden in New York. It’s the first of four exhibition games for Team USA before it leaves for Turkey. USA Basketball doesn’t need to announce its 12-man roster until a day before the World Championship, which begins Aug. 28.

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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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OneManFastBreak.net lists the second- and third-year players who will make the jump from above-average player to budding superstar.

KEVIN DURANT, Oklahoma City Thunder, Forward
Mark this down: Kevin Durant will be in the 2009 All-Star Game in Dallas, and he won’t be playing on All-Star Saturday Night. He’ll be playing in the big game on Sunday. If not, then there is something very wrong with the current system. This season’s All-Star Game, which will be played in spacious Texas Stadium, will be a homecoming of sorts for the 21-year-old small forward since he played at the University of Texas. In his second NBA season, Durant averaged 25.3 points per game. When he won Rookie of the Year in 2008, he averaged 20.3. Expect Durant to hit the 25-point mark again in year three of his young pro career.

Expect Oklahoma City's Kevin Durant to challenge for the regular-season scoring title.

DERRICK ROSE, Chicago Bulls, Guard
This is a no-brainer. Rose is the reigning NBA Rookie of the Year and had a coming-out party during the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs against the Boston Celtics. Now that Ben Gordon is gone, Rose will be asked to do a little more scoring this year, as well as organize Vinny Del Negro’s offense. Last season, Rose averaged 16 points a game and 6 assists.

O.J. MAYO, Memphis Grizzlies, Guard
Mayo was arguably the top rookie of the first half of the regular season in 2008-09. But he hit somewhat of wall in the second half and Rose surpassed him in the voting. But Mayo – who averaged 18 points a game in 82 games as a rookie – is a talented young player with a skill set built for the long haul, and I anticipate the former USC star to be THE star for the Griz.

AARON BROOKS, Houston Rockets, Guard
The third-year point guard out of Oregon will be asked to run the show in Houston now that Yao Ming is sidelined with a career-threatening injury and Ron Artest is now in Los Angeles. Brooks burst into the spotlight during the 2009 playoffs, giving the Lakers’ guards fits in a hotly contested seven-game series. Head coach Rick Adelman believed in Brooks so much that Houston traded away starting PG Rafer Alston to Orlando last season, handing the keys to the franchise to the 5-11 lightning-quick guard with a deadly outside shot.

BROOK LOPEZ, New Jersey Nets, Center
With Lopez and Devin Harris, the Nets have nice 1-2 punch at center and point guard despite the loss of Vince Carter, who departed for Orlando. Lopez (7-0, 260) is a legit center with a legit post-up game. He has a nice jump hook going to his right and can barrel his way to the basket when forced to his left. Not many NBA centers have a second move so Lopez is already ahead of the game.

KEVIN LOVE, Minnesota Timberwolves, Forward
K-Love may not excite anyone with his game but his fundamentals are off the charts when it comes to playing the power forward position. He has excellent hands, which allows him to catch any pass thrown to him, be able to rip rebounds away from the opposition and throw those Unseld-like outlet passes. During his rookie season, he averaged 11 points and 9 rebounds so expect those numbers to go up with one year under his belt.

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O.J. Mayo of Memphis is a leading candidate for rookie of the year while L.A.'s Kobe Bryant is driving towards another MVP award. (REUTERS)

When he was a freshman at USC, O.J. Mayo spent his summer vacation playing one-one-one against Kobe Bryant at Bryant’s basketball camp held at Loyola Marymount in Marina del Rey. Bryant won most of the battles, but Mayo more than held his own against the player regarded as the best in the world.

Mayo’s basketball education that summer was also his introduction to the NBA. After going through the Kobe gauntlet, Mayo’s transition from college to pro has been a smooth one. It’s like going from boot camp to pilates. Through 51 games for the Memphis Grizzlies, the former high school All-American is averaging 19 points per game and is the only rookie ranked in the top 25 in scoring.

Meanwhile, Mayo’s sparring partner, Mr. Bryant, is piecing together another MVP season and could be in line for a rare double-double – winning MVP and defensive player in the same season, a feat that has only been done twice. Michael Jordan won league MVP and defensive player of the year in 1988 and Hakeem Olajuwon did the same in 1994.

At the unofficial halfway point of the 2008-09 NBA season, OneManFastbreak.net presents its midseason report card:

BEST TEAM IN THE WEST: Los Angeles Lakers – The Lakers were a perfect 6-0 in their recently concluded East Coast trip, highlighted by victories at Boston and at Cleveland. We might as well skip the rest of the regular season because my crystal ball says the L.A. Lakers will be in the NBA Finals and no team in the Western Conference, San Antonio included, will stand in the way of Kobe and Co.

BEST TEAM IN THE EAST: Boston Celtics – For a team that began the season 27-2, the Celtics are flying under the radar. Boston is still in position to repeat as Eastern Conference champs and is on a collision course with the Cavaliers. I’m predicting a Lakers-Spurs West Final and a Celtics-Cavs East Final. No need to watch the first couple of rounds in the playoffs because these four teams have distinguished themselves as the only worthy Final Four players.

MVP: Kobe Bryant, L.A. Lakers – To be league MVP, you have to prove to the basketball jury, beyond reasonable doubt, that you are the top dog. We’ve witnessed LeBron James put together a super season for Cleveland, but there is enough evidence to make a case for Mr. Bryant. Exhibit A: His record-breaking 61-point performance at Madison Square Garden. Exhibit B: His late-game heroics helped the Lakers snap Boston’s 19-game winning streak on Dec. 25 and Boston’s 12-game winning streak on Feb. 5. Exhibit C: In two high-profile games against LeBron and the Cavs, Kobe’s Lakers won twice. Case closed!

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Kobe Bryant, L.A. Lakers – In their two head-to-head meetings, Kobe assigned himself to guard LeBron, who is two inches taller and about 40 pounds heavier, and all he did was turn King James into Prince James. With Kobe glued to his chest, LeBron shot 9-for-25 in L.A. and went 5-for-20 at the Q. In both games, Bryant showed James why he’s the reigning alpha male.

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: O.J. Mayo, Memphis Grizzlies – Easily the most consistent first-year player this season. His jump shot is better than advertised, shooting 44% from the field, 87% from the free-throw line and a respectable 38% from 3-point range. Mayo’s body of work for the season slightly outdoes Chicago’s Derrick Rose, who is second among rookies in scoring (16.9) and first in assists (6.3).

Rookie O.J. Mayo, left, has been one of the few bright spots for the Memphis Grizzlies. (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

SIXTH MAN OF THE YEAR: Nate Robinson, New York Knicks – Don’t be enamored with Jason Terry or Manu Ginobili. Both are starters masking as reserves. Nate The Great averages 16 points per game in less than 30 minutes of floor time. He had back-to-back 30-point games the week before the All-Star break and had a 33-point outing last December at Staples Center against the Lakers. If there is a Knick player worth the price of admission at Madison Square Garden, it’s Nate Robinson.

COMEBACK PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Dwyane Wade, Miami Heat – The Flash was left for dead last year after an assortment of injuries shut down his season. But he’s officially back. We saw a preview of things to come from Wade during the Beijing Olympics, and he has been spectacular through 52 games.

MOST IMPROVED PLAYER: Devin Harris, New Jersey Nets – A year has passed since the trade and  Mavericks owner Mark Cuban and GM Donnie Nelson wish they could take back Harris and send Jason Kidd packing because it has been embarrassingly one-sided. Harris has increased his scoring average from 14.4 to 21.8 and is clearly enjoying the freedom Nets coach Lawrence Frank has afforded him.  Kidd has not been a total bust, but has not provided the impact the Mavs had hoped for.

COACH OF THE YEAR: Phil Jackson, L.A. Lakers – It seems ridiculous that great coaches like Jackson, who owns nine championship rings, do not receive the proper credit they deserve. All he does is win despite the huge expectations placed on his teams at the start of each season. The Zen Master has won this award once (1996) and it’s time to give him another one.

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