Random Thoughts

Everyone understands that the Celtics have put the focus on the future because the 2006-07 C's were a disaster. But Doc Rivers and the players should be applauded for playing hard (for the most part) during a dismal season. They were without Paul Pierce for 24-games, Wally Szczerbiak played sparingly before shutting down his year following ankle surgery, and the remainder of the roster is so young, it could be playing in the Sweet 16 this weekend just as easily as they could be hosting the Dallas Mavericks. For the most part, they have been competitive, even without Pierce and Szczerbiak. Al Jefferson has blossomed into a legitimate low post threat and has played like an All-Star since January. Delonte West continues to develop into a solid NBA guard. Rookie point guard Rajon Rondo has shown promise with his defense, energy, and grasp of what it takes to lead an NBA team. Ryan Gomes, Kendrick Perkins, and Gerald Green all have had flashes of success that give a fan some hope. And even with that on the table, people are still criticizing Rivers this morning for keeping his bench in even as the Charlotte Bobcats were turning an 18-point Celtic lead into a 92-84 Charlotte win. The loss gives the Celtics five more losses than the Bobcats, an important fact in the race for the No. 1 pick in June's NBA Draft (aka The Greg Oden/Kevin Durant sweepstakes). So, Doc, did you "tank" last nights game for better draft position? I doubt it. With Paul Pierce sitting on the bench for the final 16:02 of last night's game after getting poked in the eye, Rivers decided to sit Jefferson and most of the other regulars as well -- going with a lineup of Sebastian Telfair, Allan Ray, Green, Gomes, and Leon Powe. Rivers' explanation: "I got to the point where I thought, 'What do we get if we win this game, if we put Paul and Al back in? What do we get out of this game?' ... At some point, those other guys have to be able to play a little bit." Maybe I'm being nieve but I'll take Doc at his word on this one. He made another point about Phil Jackson and championship coaches being able to make a point with his lineup during the season but teams heading for the Lottery have to play their best every night or they're considered to be losing on purpose. If Doc was trying to "tank" the season, would his team have fought so hard in Dallas (in a losing effort) last Friday? Or would they have beaten the Spurs in San Antonio the following night? The answer to that is NO.... With the Red Sox about to break camp and start their season, a huge question lingers throughout Red Sox Nation. Who is the closer? The bullpen is the weakness, on paper, for this team. Their middle relief/setup men -- Brandon Donnelly, Julian Tavarez, JC Romero, Hideki Okajima, Mike Timlin and Craig Hansen/Manny Delcarmen -- are decent but don't quite inspire confidence. Joel Piniero, a former starter with Seattle, was imported as a closer candidate but hasn't quite earned the job. Timlin was expected to take the job but will start the year on the DL due to an oblique strain. That leaves Tavarez in the role for now. For a team with a payroll well north of $150-million, that is not acceptable. Of course, there is a solution. Jonathan Papelbon, last years closer and an All-Star to boot, was moved from his job as shut down closer into the starting rotation. The reason behind the move was a concern about Papelbon's shoulder being durable enough to withstand the rigors of not having a set throwing schedule (he missed last September with shoulder tenderness). But now there are reports that the medical staff believes the shoulder should be fine in the closer role. So move him, his 35 saves and 0.92 ERA back into the closer role, making the Sox a complete team. As for his spot in the rotation, Kyle Snyder is a decent option as a No. 5 in April, Jon Lester could be back in Boston by May, and a certain former Red Sox/Blue Jays/Yankee/Astros starter with some Hall-of-Fame credentials could be an option in June if necessary.... Excited about the Patriots offseason acquisitions of LB Adalius Thomas, WR's Wes Welker, Donte Stallworth and Kelly Washington, TE Kyle Brady, and RB Sammy Morris? I know I am. If you are on the fence, read Peter King's article in Sports Illustrated this week (with Daisuke Matsuzaka on the cover) to get inspired... Although when I say this I'm usually wrong ... but I have a feeling tonight's South Regional semi-final between Ohio State/Tennessee game will be wild. Tennessee's guard Chris Lofton is a star and coach Bruce Pearl will have the Vols ready for Greg Oden and the Buckeyes. The other game in the South Regional tonight between Memphis and Texas A&M should be a keeper as well...