The Lakers, Memphis Grizzlies and Jerry West were openly criticized by many of their peers in the NBA, and there were whispers of collusion since no one could understand why the Grizzlies would accept such a horrible deal.
At the time, it seemed that Kwame Brown was the most important piece that the Lakers were forfeiting in order to acquire Pau, and the fact that the future rights for his little brother Marc were also included was an afterthought.
In the wake of the Lakers franchise-changing sweep at the hands of the Dallas Mavericks and Pau's uninspired 2011 postseason, the image of the younger Gasol as a Laker gains more clarity.
Especially considering how Marc's Grizzlies exceeded expectations and how his 2011 postseason performances were far better than that of older brother Pau.
The eighth-seeded Grizzlies took the higher-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder to the seven-game limit and Marc's play in the paint is one of the reasons another upset by the Grizzlies wouldn't have surprised too many people.
Marc averaged 16 points and 12 rebounds this postseason, which is better than the 13.1 points and 7.8 rebounds per game that Pau averaged.
Pau has had a much more decorated career, and is probably superior to Marc in terms of overall skills and fundamentals, but little brother is not far behind in either category; additionally, Marc has some advantages that you can't teach.
Both Marc and Pau are true seven footers, but Marc is an inch taller and more importantly, a few pounds heavier.
Pau has a reputation of playing on the soft side in the post, and although Marc will not likely win any future tough-man ...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers
