So many reactions to so many things:

– Jim Gray turned himself into a punchline. Once a hotshot reporter, he just about permanently erased that memory with his ridiculous “interview” with James. “Do you still bite your fingernails?” ranks as THE classic question to ask someone before you get to the money question. I mean, would any real journalist ask him anything but “Where are you going and why?” But Gray sold his soul to get that spot so he did what they asked — stall it out for maximum drama. Hope they paid you plenty, Jim, because that thing cost you plenty.

– Surreal. That whole thing. Really, the atmosphere, the location, LeBron’s demeanor. All of it. Never seen anything quite like it.

– James did nothing, really, that would normally create much controversy. He went where the talent was — proving winning is more important to him than money, which is always what we say we want from our star athletes. But LeBron couldn’t sell it. He didn’t pull it off.

– If you don’t feel sorry for the sports fans of Cleveland you don’t have a heart. They already had “The Drive” and “The Fumble” and “The Shot.” Now they have “The Decision.” None of those events bring anything but pain. I believe there’s just something wrong with the whole thing. It’s almost like the natural extension of the AAU mentality. You know, let’s just bring in a bunch of players from all over the state, or the country, and try to create a super team. And the hell with all the guys you grew up with, or the guys in your neighborhood.

– Man, Cleveland owner Dan Gilbert. I don’t even know where to start. What a shame. I totally understand his frustration. And yes, thanks for finally saying it, Dan — LeBron quit on you and your team in the playoffs. But that said, why the hell where you trying to give $130 million to a guy who quit on you. You have to, if you’re David Stern, levy a heavy fine against the guy.

– LeBron James, I believe, is a guy devoid of any personal charisma, charm or personality. His personal “team” should avoid putting him into situations (like just about any one-on-one interview) that reflects this. Man, he’s cold. And man, that phrase, “I’m going to take my talents to South Beach…” sounded so wrong. No mention of Cleveland. No apology and hey — South Beach is where you’ll play AFTER the games. You’re taking your talents to the MIAMI HEAT — not South Beach.

– Miami, whether it likes it or not, will become the immediate favorite to win the East. And it might win five or six titles in a row, if everyone stays healthy. I don’t like that. And I don’t think this thing was good for the NBA. At all. David Stern must hate it. Yeah, the Heat will get great TV ratings. But long term, it sends negative messages to most teams in the league and their fans. You’d hate to see something like this become a fad — with the league’s best players clustered in a few select locales. It just won’t work for a league. Unless it’s a four-team league. Which maybe is what the league has always been, when you think about it.

– Erik Spoelstra is good enough to coach these guys. But it isn’t going to be easy because Pat Riley’s door is just upstairs. And if things don’t go perfectly, one of the Three Stooges on that team is going to knock on Riley’s door to complain. And with the precedent already set there of Riley heading back to the sidelines to coach, it’s going to be tough for Spoelstra.

– Man, Pat Riley. Guy’s special. Amazing what he did. And don’t think he doesn’t know how to fill out the rest of the roster.

– I think LeBron, deep down, is more comfortable as the No. 2 guy on a team than as the lead dog. He’ll defer to Wade, although not to the point of being obvious about it.

– Man, suddenly the Heat are the Yankees of basketball. You’ll love them or hate them. Villains all. I can’t say I will enjoy watching them win — but I better get used to it. And man, they’re going to be on national TV over and over and over and over.

– For hardcore long-term sports fans, this thing feels real bad. The guy just didn’t leave his team, he left his home. I know, who could blame him — it’s Cleveland, right? But it doesn’t feel good. LeBron showed little remorse and no real understanding of what he was doing to that area.

– Minnesota swooped in and stole Michael Beasley late last night. This is a guy who has a world of talent but looks flaky as all get out. But man, if you can get him for virtually free, you just have to take him. A great move if you have the cap space. And by the way, that was the sort of lopsided trade Portland could have done last year at the trade deadline with RLEC. Missed opportunity.

– Glad it’s over. Aren’t you?

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The Trail Blazers’ first six points against the Miami Heat Wednesday night were in the paint. They rammed the ball inside to LaMarcus Aldridge and Greg Oden. The Heat, trying hard to stay home on Portland’s outside shooters, had no answer at all against the Portland post players. None.

And the rout was on.

It was a big step for Portland. The Blazers ended with 30 points in the paint — not an overwhelming number but good. It’s something that must continue, too, because it helps open up the outside shooters, who got very good looks most of the game.

Nic Batum was terrific. The kid locked down on Dwayne Wade, made his open shots, rebounded and moved the ball at all the right times. I’m telling you, for a 19-year-old, he’s a very special player. I’m not sure how much he’s going to play when Martell Webster returns, but the pressure will be on for Webster to play the kind of defense and fit in the way Batum has.

Joel Przybilla and Oden were solid. Aldridge had a very good night. This was the first game all season when I thought the Blazers brought their “A game” on both offense and defense and it started with their big players at both ends of the floor.

Sergio Rodriguez was terrific in seeing the floor. He gets the ball to people where they can score — a skill that’s not particularly common.

Brandon Roy had an off-night, I think because he wasn’t needed. It seems as if he needs the tension of a tight game to bring out the best in him. Nothing at all wrong with that.

Friday night in the Rose Garden will be a big test. New Orleans is a very good team and the Blazers need a win over a Western Conference power, which they really haven’t had yet.

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It’s pretty amazing when you ask around the league about him — you don’t hear anything but positives about the job he’s doing in Miami. He’s a very bright guy with a good personality who can lead. And even though he’s not a former NBA player, he has the respect of the people wearing Heat uniforms.

Everyone in Portland should be proud of him. Those jobs are so incredibly difficult to get in the first place. To be a somewhat obscure college player — although an effective one at the University of Portland — and go on to get the Pat Riley seal of approval and the big job, well that’s pretty amazing stuff.

And the Blazers better be ready tonight. Miami is prepared for every game and I know Erik would love to get this one, his first trip into his hometown as a head coach of an NBA team. It should be a fun night.

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A nice win Wednesday over an almost tiny, but well-coached Miami team. Man, it’s just about impossible to play basketball without a center.

Fernandez was sensational in the fourth, obviously. When this team gets more accustomed to playing together, I think it is going to be tough to handle. Tonight the Blazers probably went to the Brandon Roy spread offense a little too early and the result was stagnation.

When Rudy is sticking it from the outside and there is that size advantage inside, I’d just keep running the regular offense.

Speaking of pounding away inside, someone needs to remind Joel Przybilla about the roll part of the pick and roll. There are some dunks there for him. Of course, you can’t blame him — it’s not as if they look for him on that play much. But it’s there.

Great to see Oden on the floor. Be patient, I’m more convinced than ever that he’s someday going to be a difference maker. It’s all about mobility for him and that’s eventually going to return. He just needs to get more comfortable on the floor and reclaim a little reckless abandon.

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Three-point specialist James Jones leaves the Blazers, joins the Miami Heat and promptly injures a tendon  in his right wrist during practice and is out three months. The guy has had more than his share of injuries.

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