Veteran swingman Mike Miller was back on the court Monday afternoon, and participated in the team’s full-contact practice without restrictions. He didn’t seem bothered by the bad back that’s kept him out of the lineup for nearly two weeks.

That’s a good sign for Miller and the organization because the Grizzlies’ shooting has been flat-out putrid without the 6-8 sharpshooter. Miller is still listed as day-to-day so his availability for their game Tuesday against Chicago is unknown. Coach Marc Iavaroni said Saturday that they targeted Wednesday (vs. New Jersey) for Miller’s return.

Memphis’ offense, though, has struggled mightily without Miller. The Griz (0-7 without Miller this season) have scored more than 100 points just once (113 on Feb. 26 vs. Phoenix) and is averaging just 41 percent from the field overall and 30 percent from behind the arc in seven games without their second-leading scorer (16.8), leading rebounder (6.5) and three-point shooter (.433).

Miller has missed each game due to a sore back, including the past six.

After asking fans to offer submissions for what dunk he should perform during the Sprite Slam Dunk Contest on YouTube, Rudy Gay has made a selection.

Gay’s first dunk of the contest will be from a dunk submitted by Brandon Lacue form Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. The 22-year-old is a member of a group called Team Flightbrothers.

Here is Lacue’s dunk on YouTube that Gay will attempt first tonight. It’s the first dunk on the video:

Watch here!!!

The NBA and Gay are also flying Lacue into New Orleans to sit courtside during the Sprite Slam Dunk to watch Gay perform. He will also attend Gay’s special “dunk practice” earlier in the day.

The Sprite Slam Dunk is apart of NBA All-Star Saturday Night airing at 7 pm on TNT.

Grizzlies rookie guard Juan Carlos Navarro will have to settle on playing for the rookie team in the Rookie Challenge, which is held during the NBA All-Star weekend.

The Grizzlies long distance bomber was hoping to participate in the Three-Point Shootout. But his name was not among the six participants chosen. The NBA announced the five players who will challenge defending champion Jason Kapono of Toronto. Among them are four of the top 3-point shooters in the league this year - Daniel Gibson of Cleveland, Steve Nash of Phoenix, Richard Hamilton of Detroit and 2002 and 2003 3-point champ Peja Stojakovic.

The surprise participant is Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant. While Navarro has seen his 3-point percentage dip to .391 recenttly, tying him for 38th in the league, that’s still a far cry from Bryant.

Bryant is the fifth-best 3-point shooter on his own team. He currently ranks 74th in the league, hitting on just 35.3 percent of his long range shots. He may repeat as the All-Star Game’s MVP, but I wouldn’t put my money on him winning the 3-point contest.

Looks like the Grizzlies trade of Pau Gasol to the Los Angeles Lakers has already had an effect on the Western Conference. The Phoenix Suns, owners of the best record in the West, are close to becoming the first team to react to Lakers acquiring Gasol. The Suns are currently deciding whether to pull the trigger on a trade with the Miami Heat that would sent aging center Shaquille O’Neal to Phoenix in exchange for forward Shawn Marion and point guard Marcus Banks.

The Suns believe the addition of Shaq will allow them to move Amare Stoudemire to his natural power forward position. They also believe that O’Neal will give them more of a defensive presence in the middle, which would keep the undersized Stoudemire out of foul trouble from having to guard centers much bigger than he is.

Two issues the Suns are contemplating, though, are Shaq’s health and his hefty contract of $20 million per season for the next two years. O’Neal, who turns 36 in March, has been plagued with a hip injury. That makes his acquisition a gamble for the Suns, who are looking to get over the hump that has prevented them from reaching the NBA Finals.

Apparently, both O’Neal and Marion are happy to be leaving their respective clubs. O’Neal has seen his relationship with Miami coach/president Pat Riley strained this season. And prior to the season, Marion requested a trade.

It will be interesting to see whether Shaq has anything left in the tank. If healthy, this could be the type of motivation he needs to lead his third team to a NBA title. But chances are Shaq is simply unable to keep up anymore with centers like Andrew Bynum, Tyson Chandler or even Tim Duncan.

Either way, the move makes the Western Conference that much more intriguing. Now let’s see if Dallas owner Mark Cuban has the guts to follow suit by pulling off a trade with New Jersey for Jason Kidd.

Stay tuned.

Just how much did the Grizzlies appreciate Pau Gasol’s more than six seasons in town? Well, if you’re heading over to FedExForum Tuesday night to watch the team take on Milwaukee, see what reminders of Gasol you find.

Apparently, out of sight, out of mind is the approach the Grizzlies have taken toward the franchise’s leader in 12 different categories and it’s only NBA All-Star. Since being traded to the Los Angeles Lakers last Friday, all things Pau have been removed. On the walls outside of the media room hang pictures of past and present Grizzlies.

Gasol had roughly 10 pictures hanging up, until Friday when they were all removed. But you can still find pictures of former players Dahntay Jones and Lawrence Roberts. Stromile Swift, who’s trade to New Jersey was completed today, even has his photo still hanging.

Word is his No. 16 jersey is no longer being sold in the team store, his picture has been removed from city buses, and his billboard has already been taken down.

Guess that means there’s no chance of a Gasol poster night when the Lakers come to town next year.

The incoming text message apologized for not getting back to me sooner, and said “call when works for you.” So I immediately picked up the phone Friday night and dialed up Pau Gasol. The 7-footer answered after just having landed in Los Angeles around midnight CST.

He sounded sad. He seemed dazed. Gasol actually was confused, too. He never saw this coming. Gasol never thought he’d be traded and had no inkling when the Griz informed him that he needed to board a plane because he’s a member of the Los Angeles Lakers.

“It’s not easy to digest,” Gasol said. “You leave something that you’ve been committed to for such a long time — all of a sudden you’re on a plane going to a different team. It’s pretty shocking.”

More from Gasol in the Sunday Commercial Appeal.

Meanwhile, here’s more fallout from the Gasol trade:

*** The Griz and Lakers have been talking for some time. One of their initial discussions involved a deal that would have included Mike Miller and Hakim Warrick, and Lamar Odom. The Lakers are said to have declined. The Griz also talked to Denver and Cleveland about Gasol.

*** Part of the motivation for the Gasol deal had to do with the discontent from fans. A large segment of the fan base (as fickle as they are) disliked Gasol, booed him and wanted the Griz to ship him at any cost. The team realized that, along with just 13 wins, having a franchise player (and highest paid player) that can’t draw at the ticket window would never work. People wouldn’t pay to see Gasol play. So part of the thinking is perhaps they can shop for one who can draw fans.

*** I’m hearing strong vibes that the Logo brokered this deal. No proof but where there is smoke, there’s a fire. Jerry West still has owner Mike Heisley and general manager Chris Wallace’s ears. Plus, West is very interested in having Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak succeed. Just my two cents.

*** After talking to several league executives, the Griz have pissed off the Western Conference with this deal. Elite West teams are said to be angry that the Griz just handed the Lakers an important piece in their quest to become a championship contender. Typically, All Stars are sent to the ‘other’ conference. Imagine how Atlanta and Chicago must feel right now. But those East teams weren’t offering cap room.

*** Don’t be surprised if Mike Miller is traded. Don’t be surprised if the great Kyle Lowry, not Javaris Crittenton, is eventually dealt to clear out the crowded point guard position.

*** Wishful thinking to those of you who think Heisley is stripping down the franchise to sell it. Would he dump the franchise if a buyer came along and paid his price? Sure. But Heisley, in a recent meeting with the local owners, said he’ll probably die with this team. He plans on owning it for a long time. He just doesn’t plan on suffering the losses he’s already endured during that span. One way to ensure that is to get the payroll in line.

Stay tuned.

The Griz sent Pau Gasol and a 2010 second-round pick to the Lakers and received Kwame Brown, Aaron McKie (a one-year, sign-and-trade deal), Javaris Crittendon, a 2008 first-round pick (Top-3 protected), a 2010 first-round pick (Top-6 protected), the rights to Marc Gasol and cash.