Grizzlies welcome back forward Shane Battier

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP)

Shane Battier is back on Beale Street.

Battier received his No. 31 Grizzlies jersey during a news conference in front of applauding fans Friday at FedExForum, located just steps from the historic street known for its blues music and barbecue.

''Wow. Awesome,'' Battier said when asked how it feels to be back in Memphis, where he played five seasons.

Battier was traded to Memphis by the Houston Rockets on Thursday for center Hasheem Thabeet, forward DeMarre Carroll and a first round pick. The Grizzlies also received guard Ish Smith.

''I've spent probably five or six hours returning e-mails and texts from friends from Memphis just expressing how excited they are to have me back,'' Battier said. ''I'm going to try to make the most of this opportunity and try to bring some playoff victories right here to Beale St.''

The 6-foot-8 forward is averaging 8.6 points per game and 4.8 rebounds per game this season. He also has continued his strong defensive play, which has made him a two-time All-NBA Defensive second team selection.

Battier, also a good 3-point shooter at 39 percent this season, is expected to help ease the sting of losing small forward and second leading scorer Rudy Gay.

Gay is expected to miss about three more weeks after dislocating his left shoulder Feb. 15.

The Grizzlies are fighting to make the playoffs for the first time since 2006, when Battier was on the roster. They are 32-27 and eighth in the West heading into Friday's games.

General manager Chris Wallace said the Grizzlies had been pursuing a Battier trade for a couple of months and would have made the deal even if Gay, averaging 19.8 points per game, was healthy.

''When we had the chance to bring him back home, we just jumped at it,'' Wallace said.

The Battier acquisition now gives a Grizzlies another true small forward. Memphis has been using guards Sam Young and Tony Allen at small forward in Gay's absence, but they are undersized for the position at 6-6 and 6-4, respectively.

Battier is admired in Memphis for his contributions to the community. He won the 2002 NBA Community Assist Award as a Grizzlies player and has served on the board of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

At the news conference, Memphis Mayor A C Wharton welcomed Battier back to the city.

''The only real risk I see to this deal is for myself and Mayor Wharton,'' Wallace joked. ''Shane may become the first playing, general managing, and mayor combination in the history of the league.''

Battier played with the Grizzlies from the 2001-2002 season through the 2005-2006 season. He helped Memphis to three playoff appearances before being traded to the Rockets in July 2006 for Stromile Swift and the draft rights to Gay.

For his career, Battier has averaged 9.7 points per game, 4.7 rebounds per game and 1.1 steals per game. He is the Grizzlies' all-time steals leader with 507.