TORONTO - When the Memphis Grizzlies paid a recent visit to the Toronto Raptors, gracious host Jose Calderon invited Marc Gasol out for dinner.

For the six Spaniards on National Basketball Association (NBA) payrolls this season, dining with the enemy is an act of friendship not treason.

When the Raptors stop by Memphis, it will be Gasol's turn to pick up the tab and the Grizzlies All-Star centre says he has just the spot in mind.

Los Angeles Lakers power forward Pau Gasol (16) shoots over New Orleans Hornets forward Lance Thomas (42) during the second half of their NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Louisiana, April 9, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

While the menu may differ, the dinner conversation will be the same, as it always is when Spanish NBAers break bread, with talk eventually turning to the national team and the 2012 London Olympics.

"Last night when I had dinner with Jose we talked about it (Olympics)," said Gasol. "We went through the possibilities of what might happen a little bit.

"We know it is going to be a great event. It is one of the biggest things ever you can live, being in the village with other guys from your country fighting for the same thing.

"It's a beautiful experience."

It is also a shared experience for many of the La Furia Roja (the Red Fury), who grew up learning the game together on the Spanish hardwood.

Silver medalist

Calderon, Gasol and his Los Angeles Lakers brother Pau, Denver Nuggets swingman Rudy Fernandez and Minnesota Timberwolves flashy point guard Ricky Rubio were all on the Beijing Olympic squad that lost to the United States in the gold medal game.

All, with the exception of Rubio who had his sensational rookie season cut short by a knee injury, are expected to be back challenging for a medal in London.

While the United States will roll out its newest version of the Dream Team, drawing from a bottomless talent pool, Spain will rely on the team chemistry that cannot be developed in 15 days spent in an Olympic pressure cooker.

"We are really good friends. The kind of friends you can call for anything not just about basketball," Calderon told Reuters. "We go to each other's places; we have dinners together with families.

"When you are all together for a month and a half and all together everyday it's nice. It's like a family, a second family. That's why we all want to be on that team.

"You can be less talented or not as good but that good relationship outside the court is going to help any team.

"You know how to talk to your team mate when you are on the court because you know him. It's everything."