Random Thoughts (March 26, 2009)

Even with Kevin Garnett limited to 15 minutes in his comeback from a strained knee muscle, the Celtics found a way to make life miserable last night for the Magic in Orlando. With KG basically not playing, Dwight Howard was expected to lead the Magic to an impressive win with second place in the Eastern Conference on the line. The Magic did get the W but it was hardly an inspiring victory. The Magic won 84-82 but it was the Celtics who looked like the team that was ready to do damage in the playoffs. The Celtics defense did a great job of containing Howard in the fourth quarter and they found a way to get a bunch of stops down the stretch. If it weren't for Boston's carelessness with the basketball (18 turnovers), they probably would have left Florida with the win. The C's have struggled lately but it is clear that Doc Rivers and the C's value the health of their aging stars more than home court in the postseason. Let's hope that works... The Mikki Moore era doesn't seem to have the same feel that the PJ Brown era had. That could be the difference in May or June... As much as I hate Duke, keep a close eye on Gerald Henderson this weekend as he will try and lead the Blue Devils to their first Final Four since 2004. The 6-4 shooting guard is an athletic freak, has an NBA caliber jump shot, and can create his own offense off the dribble. He will be an NBA All-Star sooner that later. If it weren't for his alliance with Coach K and the Dookies, I would be quicker to compare him with Ray Allen... So, Billy Gillespie, how does it feel to be the head coach at Kentucky? After coaching the first Kentucky team to miss the NCAA tournament since 1991, Gillespie watched his season end last night with 77-67 loss to Notre Dame last night in the NIT quarterfinals. The rumors about his job security are never ending. If (when?) Gillespie gets his walking papers from Lexington, there would be very few candidates with the ability to make the Wildcats into an instant success. Rick Pitino's name will be tossed into the discussion but I don't see him leaving Louisville for a return to UK. John Calipari would be a great fit with Kentucky if he agrees to leave Memphis. UK alumnus and current Oklahoma State coach Travis Ford will certainly be mentioned. If I were Kentucky athletic director Mitch Barnhart, I would go after Tom Izzo of Michigan State, Billy Donovan of Florida, Jamie Dixon of Pittsburgh, and Calipari. The Wildcats need a coach with a track record of success, who can handle the spotlight and media pressure, and who can recruit the best players in the country (and convince current stars Patrick Patterson and Jodie Meeks to stay another season). All four are winners, all four are great with the media, and all four can recruit. If none of them will take the Kentucky job than the decision makers need to hang on to Gillespie for another winter... After John Smoltz had a good throwing session yesterday and Clay Buchholz had another impressive start, Red Sox fans have to smile at their amazing pitching depth... Enjoy Scottie Reynolds tonight...