Random Thoughts (March 30, 2009)

The Associated Press released their All-American team today and as a coach, it would be a dream to coach Blake Griffin, Tyler Hansbrough, DaJuan Blair, James Harden, and Stephen Curry. Cases could be made that second-team All-Americans Hasheem Thabeet and Ty Lawson were first-team caliber but it would be hard to replace any of the top five. I think both Thabeet and Lawson would take a national championship this weekend over the All-American accolades anyways... I collect my ticket stubs. Among the ones I want to preserve to show off to my future grandchildren are from Game 7 of the 2004 ALCS (Fuck the Babe), Game 1 of the 2004 World Series (which was a counterfeit seat but it did the job anyways), Game 2 of the 2008 NBA Finals (Leon Poooooo-we), Game 7 of the 2007 ALCS (Daisuke survives!), the 2004 ("Cut that MEAT!!!") and 2008 (18-0) AFC Championship games, Duke-Georgetown from this January (my one -- and only -- trip to Cameron), and Game 5 of the 2004 ALCS (Papi does it again). Included in that collection is my stub from Saturday's East Regional Championship game played at the Garden. Behind a last second layup from Scottie Reynolds, Villanova outlasted Pittsburgh in an epic, back-and-forth game. Reynolds' bucket gave 'Nova its first berth in the Final Four since Ed Pinckney and Rollie Massamino upset Georgetown to win the 1985 national championship. It was a game for the ages and I'm lucky to say -- and have proof -- that I was there... John Calipari to Kentucky just makes too much sense for it not to happen... Sean Miller of Xavier would be a great replacement for Coach Cal if he were to leave the Tigers... Anthony Grant will make Alabama a basketball power in the weak SEC... I would be shocked if Rick Pitino left Louisville for Arizona. Of course, if the technology was available in 1997, I would have typed the same thought about his future with Kentucky... I'm not feeling too hot about the Celtics chances of repeating as long as KG continues to limp around. I need answers... Enjoy the new condo B...