"Rudy Gay's done for the year. That's terrible. Now that we've acknowledged that, it's time to get back to the business at hand.

Not to sound insensitive or anything. It really is hard not to feel bad for Gay.

The guy came to Memphis a couple of months after the Grizzlies last made the playoffs. He has been here for all the awfulness. He deserves to be here for the playoffs, too.

But you know what?

Life's tough. And he has $84 million to cheer himself up.

Grizzlies fans have the next month or so.

It should still be a good month. Indeed, it had better be.

Gay or no Gay, the Grizzlies should still make the playoffs. Gay or no Gay, the Grizzlies should still win a playoff game.

Why else did they give up a first-round pick for what might turn out to be a brief rental of Shane Battier? Why else did they sign Jason Williams and Leon Powe?

"Basically, I am committed to getting into the playoffs this year," owner Michael Heisley said after the Battier trade.

Basically, he should still get his wish.

Or what team do you think will catch the Grizzlies? What team scares you the most?

The Jazz? A team that lost its franchise player (Deron Williams) and its Hall of Fame coach (Jerry Sloan)? The Grizzlies demolished the Jazz on Monday night to move three games ahead in the standings and will almost certainly hold the tie-breaker, too. The Jazz have exactly no chance."