Random thoughts as Brady enjoys the spotlight again

With over 1,000 random thoughts dancing around in my head, it's time to get a few of them out.

• The Brady factor: While people have been following the post Super Bowl exploits of New England Patriots tight end Rob "Gronk" Gronkowski and wide receiver Julian Edelman, I couldn't help but love the picture of the very grounded Tom Brady holding his young son, who was kissing and clutching the Lombardi trophy as they rode on the victory bus.

Is there anyone bigger in Boston and New England than Tom Brady? I doubt it.

• Seeing Orange: It must be nice to determine your own punishment, which Syracuse University has done by banning Jim Boeheim's basketball team from postseason play for this year.

Surprisingly, we aren't even sure which infractions they violated from 2007 through 2012.

I am curious to know if the NCAA will have a counterpunch to Syracuse's self-appointed ban, which comes across as an empty gesture considering their team probably wouldn't fare too well this season anyway at 15-7.

• Central figures: It's difficult to argue with the facts, and the Cleveland Cavaliers clearly are playing pretty good basketball while the Chicago Bulls have hit a roadblock.

If we're honest, can Bulls fans see Tom Thibodeau's club representing the Eastern Conference right now?

Didn't think so!

• Tiger talk: Add Paul Azinger, professional golfer and PGA Tour analyst, to the list of people who refuse to believe that Tiger Woods is done.

I am paraphrasing here, but Azinger believes Tiger just needs a decent round and a little direction and he'll be fine.

I think it's just false hope.

• Tricky triangle: I always said Phil Jackson was like the doorman at the Four Seasons because the "clientele" he coached and won with was always top notch compared to a team like the New York Knick, who now are more like a lesser motel chain with a plain old front desk.

Jackson's triangle offense, a Tex Winter innovation, has not been grasped by the Knicks, and word is their basketball IQ is not as high as needed.

Jackson's public admission in The New York Times that "So far, my experiment has fallen flat on its face" is somewhat admirable.

Still, I really wonder why he accepted the gig at all. Was it all about ego and money?

I find it difficult to believe Jackson will last five years in New York no matter how much he is being paid. I think he is longing for his fiancee, Jeanie Buss, and the warm California nights. His team stinks and it's the middle of a cold, snowy February in New York.

Maybe if Jackson was healthier, and he had waited a bit, the Cavs might have come calling. Then he would have been that great coach again with a team loaded with all-stars.

I'll give Jackson until the end of next year before he decides it's time to leave the Big Apple.

Program notes:

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