"Mike Heisley was on the phone from Chicago. Something was plainly bothering him.

"You could do me a favor," he said.

For you, Mike? Anything.

"Would you please make it clear that we're not trading Rudy Gay?"

You're not? But I keep hearing all these NBA types say that you might well trade him.

"I know," said Heisley. "And, quite frankly, it (ticks) me off. I think it's cruel to the guy. He died during this period. That's how much he wanted to play. And to now have to hear that we're trading him? There's nothing more untrue than that."

So, I should write that he'll be back?

"Let me tell you something," said Heisley. "No disrespect to Oklahoma City, but if we had had Rudy Gay, we would have won the bleepity-bleep series going away. I really believe that."

Ahhh, it's nice to have a subtle NBA owner, isn't it?

But you can't blame the guy, can you? It must be a little frustrating when people blatantly disregard the things you say.

A year ago, Heisley told everyone who'd listen that he was going to sign Gay to a long-term deal. Nobody believed him. But what did he do? He signed Gay to a long-term deal.

Then Heisley said he was going to re-sign Zach Randolph. Nobody believed that either. Until, sure enough, he re-signed Randolph.

Now he says that "my intention is to bring the team back next year." My sense is that he intends to bring the team back next year. I know, nutty isn't it? Just a wild, wild hunch I have.

But you can bet it won't stop the experts from thinking otherwise, from dreaming up trades that would ruin these Grizzlies faster than you can say "Hasheem Thabeet.""