Memphis, Tenn. ? All NBA rookies are up for inspection.

But when your nickname is “The Truth,” the scrutiny is bound to be up-close.

Thus, there are those who will want to test Grizzly rookie Drew Gooden’s assertion that his game is real, that it “doesn’t lie to you.”

After eight preseason games in which Gooden led the Grizzlies in minutes (35.4), points (18.0) and rebounds (11.5), Gooden so far appears to have come by his nickname honestly.

But preseason games being what they are  equal parts necessity and irrelevance  you can count on Gooden playing fewer minutes and probably scoring fewer points beginning next week.

The rebounding, however, might be another matter.

A 6-10, 230-pound power forward who averaged 9.2 rebounds during his three-year career at Kansas, Gooden talked up his rebounding before the Grizzlies made him the fourth overall pick in this year’s draft.

“That’s what I said I could contribute right away,” Gooden said after practice this week. “That’s what I bring to the table.”

It also might be what keeps him on the floor for extended minutes. The Grizzlies are still sorting through various lineup combinations, but all of them require Gooden to grab his share of rebounds.

“That’s a good way for him to start (getting playing time),” coach Sidney Lowe said. “But he gives us other things. He can run the floor and he can score. He can do that different ways, and it can start by getting offensive rebounds.”

Center Lorenzen Wright said it’s not Gooden’s nose for the ball that makes him a good rebounder, but something else.

“Heart,” said Wright. “Right now, it’s just his will. He doesn’t know the different tricks of the trade yet.”

In eight preseason games, Gooden grabbed 92 rebounds  30 on the offensive end and 62 on the defensive. Stromile Swift, who’s been playing at power forward and center, had the second-most rebounds in the preseason with 55  a 6.9 average.

“As (Gooden) goes against the stars, I think he’ll hold his own,” Lowe said. “I haven’t seen anyone manhandle him.”