Marc Gasol getting some national attention...finally

As the Grizzlies get set to face the Los Angeles Lakers tonight, Grizz center Marc Gasol (pictured on right with brother Pau on left) is receiving some national recognition.

Dave McMenamin of ESPNLosAngeles.com wrote "Gasol (Marc) deserves some respect."

While the article is told through the eyes of a Laker fan/reporter, McMenamin did offer an interesting piece of objectivity:

"Yet Marc still doesn't get the respect his career should warrant. He still has the stigma of Frank Stallone to Pau's Sylvester because he was included in the trade that shifted the balance of power in the West and shoehorned L.A. into championship contender status. He may very well win the NBA's Most Improved Player award this year, yet when Jackson (Phil) spoke extemporaneously about the Grizzlies' success this season, he mentioned the contributions by Zach Randolph, Rudy Gay and O.J. Mayo. He had to be asked about Marc."

While Laker head coach Phil Jackson may not think about Marc, Grizzlies fans sure do. His play combined with Zach Randolph's this season has been a dream to watch. The two Grizzlies big men look like best friends who have been playing together since the eighth grade.

The article by McMenamin goes on to describe Pau Gasol, Marc's older brother by 4 years, 29 and 25, respectively, and his return to Memphis, the place where he started his career.

When the trade occurred, I like most fans, was shocked. I was not shocked that Pau was traded, I was shocked in what the Grizzlies received in return. I was intrigued with the addition of Marc. I also thought the Grizz might be able to get some production out of Javaris Crittendon.

I started looking for any footage of Marc that I could find. When the Spanish team played on television, I watched. They were on a lot that summer, which gave us a good, long look at the bigger Gasol.

I was impressed with his free throw shooting and physicality. He had the same touch as his brother around the rim, too. You know it, that soft touch like guards usually have. Marc also displayed some range on his jump shots.

Frankly, I thought he outplayed Pau in every aspect of the game.

His dribbling was and is not great. But who cares? He is 7 feet tall. Marc does, however, pass the ball well.

I just thought it was nice to see someone other than a Grizzlies fan talk about Marc Gasol. Of course, the article was only written because the Grizzlies are playing the Lakers tonight.

Tonight's game will not be the first time the two brothers have met in NBA competition.

The Lakers lead the all-time series with the Grizzlies 41-14, but are 19-13 against the Grizzlies since the team moved to Memphis. The Lakers had won four straight at FedEx Forum until the Grizzlies defeated L.A. 95-93 on Feb. 1.