Comcast SportsNet’s Greg Dickerson sits down with Celtics Executive Director of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge before the Celtics/76ers game on March 24th to discuss the state of the team heading towards the end of the season.

A few things I learned this week:

• Dale Arnold should stick to hockey.

• Bobby Knight should stick to coaching.

• Dennis and Callahan should stick to holding out of their contract.

• Curt Schilling REALLY liked Doug Mirabelli

• Despite all the fan fare, it’s either the Lakers or Spurs coming out of the West.

• I don’t want to draw the 76ers in the first round of the NBA Playoffs.

• I should stop using words like “I” and “we” in reference to the Celtics. The only way “I’d” ever draw the 76ers in the first round would be if the organization made the ill-fated decision to scrap the annual team photo in lieu of a Rich Levine original. (Note: If I were commissioned to draw the 76ers team photo, I would 100% add one of those rainbow beanies with the pinwheel on top of Shavlik Randolph’s head. When it comes to art you just have to go with your instincts.)

Random Thought of the Week: How strange is it that Dick Vitale’s never called a Final Four game?

The man is essentially the face (or at least the bald head and mouth) of college basketball, yet he’s never sat on the sport’s greatest stage. It’s like if Marv Albert never called an NBA Finals, or John Madden never called a Super Bowl. You know it kills Dicky V. not to be there, in fact, I’m almost ready to guarantee that at the end of every season he brings home a copy of the National Championship game and records himself doing the color commentary over Billy Packer’s voice. And I wouldn’t be surprised if he also demands that his wife sit and do the play-by-play as Mike Patrick.

Dick: What a game!

Mrs. Vitale: Dick, can you please unlock the studio door, I’m tired and our grandkids will be here any minute!

Dick: I totally agree with you there, Mike! The Tarheels are awesome, baby! With a cap-it-al A!!

Mrs. Vitale: Dick, this isn’t funny. Let me out or I’m calling the cops.

Dick: The Dukies are absolutely scintillating, Mr. Patrick!! And guess what? Call the cops if you want, but you might be surprised to find that I’ve disconnected all our phone lines! Awesome, baby!!

Wicked Good Reporter Rich Levine headed talks with some Celtics fans at Hurricane O’Reilly’s on St. Patrick’s Day.

The Celtics once again exceeded expectations and beat both the Spurs and Rockets to begin a brutal West coast trip. Here are some assorted thoughts from the last week or so.

De-Fense

As usual, the secret to the Celtics’ success has been defense. Tracy McGrady was impressed. “I’ve never seen defense like that. If they play defense like that night in and night out, then the NBA is in trouble because that defense was at its finest.” (Boston Globe)

Most of the credit has gone to Kevin Garnett, but don’t overlook the man with the plan, Assistant Coach Tom Thibodeau. Doc has given him free reign on the defensive side of the ball and the players have all bought in to the system and the team concept. Tom’s contract is up at the end of the year, and we can only hope that he doesn’t get a head coaching position somewhere. I’d like to see him patrolling the sidelines in Boston for quite some time.

March Madness?

My candle burns at both ends;
It will not last the night;
But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends–
It gives a lovely light!

– Edna St. Vincent Millay

Enjoy it while it lasts. That is what keeps running through my mind when I think about this Celtics team. This is far and away the best Celtics team since the original Big Three last played together. After beating the Pistons, they might be the best team in the NBA. For fans, it seems like just yesterday that we were sobbing over ping pong balls. Months into the season, I’m still pinching myself at our good fortune.

But how long can it last? How many shots at the golden ring do we get with three stars over 30? What future have we sacrificed in order to enjoy the present? As the Miami Heat have proven, as quickly as it comes together, it can fall apart just as fast. I want to enjoy the present for all it is worth, but I can’t help but look forward towards an uncertain future.

Check out this video from a few years back of Kevin Garnett impersonating Sam Cassell, found by our friends at CelticsBlog.com.

Comcast SportsNet’s Mike Gorman answers fan e-mails in “Mike’s Mailbag” presented by Dodge. Mike has been the Boston Celtics play-by-play announcer since 1981. Click here to send Mike Gorman your email.

Name: Joe Cantone
City: Southington, Ct.

Hello Mike, I’m wondering why the Celtic’s don’t give Gabe Pruitt a chance to play. I believe Gabe and Rajon would make a great 1-2 punch! I know the Celtic’s have other guy’s ahead of him, but given the chance, I truly believe Gabe can be an asset to this team.
Thanks,
Joe

Mike: Tommy agrees with you…but with the addition of Sam Cassell this week Gabe is going to have to wait till next year to get a chance at some minutes.

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Name: David
City: Cypress, Illinois

Hello Mike. What are your thoughts on Kendrick Perkins? I have rooted for the Celtics since 1981 and few players have caught my attention the way Perk does. I truly believe this kid will surprise many people over the next several years. Thanks Mike.

Mike: I think you are right and the last two games would sure prove your point. Like you, I believe Perk is going to have a long and productive career in Boston.

Mike Gorman checks in with a podcast following the Celtics win over the Charlotte Bobcats on Friday, February 29th.

Comcast SportsNet’s Greg Dickerson just reported from the sideline that his sources are saying that the Celtics are very interested in waived guard Brent Barry. The son of NBA Hall of Famer Rick Barry was released by Seattle last week after being traded from the Spurs for Kurt Thomas.

Comcast SportsNet’s Mike Gorman brings us a podcast from the left coast after the Celtics dropped their third straight to the Phoenix Suns.