This will be a short post.. but Ive been watching Gortat's progress over in Phoenix, and I have to say.  He has been balling.  He has had 5 double doubles in the last 7 games, got 25 and 11 against the Hornets, and 19 and 16 against boston.  Pretty impressive numbers.  I must admit - I miss The Hammer, but he deserves the success and opportunity in Phoenix. He even hit a buzzer beating three pointer against Boston.  How ridiculous is that?  I'm hoping he continues to get better and amasses plenty of playing time.  Who knows, he might be an all-star one day.  Not that many great (or even good) centers anymore.

Here is a lovely quote for you:

"I spoil a lot of people with my play," James said in one of the few borderline candid comments he made in his postgame interview. "When you have a bad game here or there, you've had three bad games in a seven-year career, then it's easy to point that out. So you got to be better.

"I put a lot of pressure on myself to be out there and be the best player on the court, and when I'm not I feel bad for myself because I'm not going out there and doing the things I can do. But I don't hang my head low or make any excuses about anything that may be going on, because that's not the type of player or person I am."

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All I can say is 'Wow'. 

Does anyone else feel bad for the former Magic players who are now languishing on the Nets?  I was a big fan of Courtney Lee last year.  I also felt Rafer Alston did an admirable job last year piloting the team to the finals - only to have Jameer come in at the last minute.  I'm sure he was traded because he voiced his displeasure with the way things went in the Finals - and which of you wouldn't be pissed? Tony Battie put in some quality minutes for the team for several years.  But this post wasn't about last year, or any other year.  This post is about how I actually feel bad for a couple of guys I have never met, and who make millions of dollars doing something they love.  I guess I feel bad because I have no idea how it would feel to go from virtually the top of your profession in going to the NBA finals to going to the absolute bottom. 

Everyone knows New Jersey is a hellhole... it always has been. Maybe with new ownership things will improve.  I hope so - if only for our former Magic players.  Courtney Lee has a bright future, but I dont think it will be realized until he gets off that terrible team.