He looks a lot like his brother Pau, but Marc Gasol is definitely his own man and a different type of player.
Marc threw his 7-1, 280-pound frame around in the Grizzlies' season-opening 82-71 loss at Houston. Not only did he score 12 points and grab 12 rebounds, but he bodied up on Yao Ming to the point where the big boys began banging on almost every possession. Gasol's rights were acquired last season from the Los Angeles Lakers along with Kwame Brown, Aaron McKie, Javaris Crittenton, two future first-round picks and cash in exchange for his brother, Pau, and a 2010 second-round pick.
There were skeptics since Grizzlies fans had seen Pau's lack of physical play, but Wednesday's season opener was an extension of the way Marc played in training camp and in exhibitions. Grizzlies coach Marc Iavaroni thought Gasol had the best camp.
"Marc stood out with his overall play," Iavaroni said. "I've been surprised by his defense. He's a position guy, and he's shown some shot-blocking ability. And he's physical. He hasn't backed down from anybody."
Gasol showed that with Yao. His next challenge comes Friday when he takes on the NBA's most physical center, Orlando's Dwight Howard.
"Being young does not mean you can't be strong," said the 23-year-old Gasol. "Sometimes you have to be mean. I'll do anything that it takes."
ROCKETS 82, GRIZZLIES 71: This was a three-point game at the 2:22 mark left to play before the Grizzlies missed a couple of shots and were forced to foul. It was a good solid effort by the Grizzlies, who started two rookies (O.J. Mayo, Marc Gasol), a second-year player (Mike Conley) and a third-year player (Rudy Gay). Darrell Arthur, another Grizzlies rookie, lifted the Grizzlies out of their early doldrums, provided energy and finished with 11 points and 15 rebounds.
