Quickies: Playoff Rondo Edition

For awhile, the death of the Boston Celtics big three of Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce seemed to mean the death of Rajon Rondo’s time in the NBA spotlight.

Clearly that was wrong. Playoff Rondo is back in full force as the New Orleans Pelicans take it to the Portland Trailblazers. Rondo is averaging 12.7 points, 12.3 assists and 7.7 rebounds in the first three games of the series, helping the Pelicans to a 3-0 lead in the series.

And his teammate Anthony Davis isn’t doing too bad either. He’s averaging 28.3 points, 12.7 rebounds and 2.7 blocks in this series.

Tweets of the day

Your quickies

Remaining player decisions a reckoning for Calipari's system | Kentucky Sports Radio
It's been nine years since John Calipari took the job at Kentucky, and for first time, fans have a legitimate reason to question his system. Oddly enough, the concerns don't center around one-and-dones, but rather the players who aren't successful enough to get drafted after one year and feel the need to leave Lexington anyways.

The KSR Football Podcast: Spring Practice Recap | Kentucky Sports Radio
Hear everything you need to know (and plenty of nonsense) following Kentucky's 2018 spring football season.

Is it wise for Hamidou Diallo, a projected second-round draft pick, to leave UK for the NBA? - Cats' Pause
Is it wise for Hamidou Diallo, a projected second-round draft pick, to leave UK for the NBA? History of UK players who have taken similar paths says the battle can be won.

Kentucky basketball: Quade Green is a fighter, and John Calipari is counting on that - SEC Country
Kentucky freshman Quade Green has been a fighter all his life. Amid rumors of a potential transfer, coach John Calipari hopes Green will stay in Lexington and fight again — for his playing time.

No. 18 Kentucky Hosts No. 7/6 Georgia at John Cropp Stadium - University of Kentucky
Riding a two-game winning streak, the Kentucky Wildcats will host the No. 6 Georgia Bulldogs over the weekend at John Cropp Stadium for a top-20 showdown in Lexington. UK is looking to pick up some more crucial wins for its NCAA Tournament resume, as well as stay above the cutline for the 2018 SEC Tournament in Missouri with the top 12 teams advancing to Columbia.

Kentucky Falls in Series Opener Between Top 10 Teams - University of Kentucky
Top-ranked Florida used a big third inning to claim the first of three games against No. 6 Kentucky, 6-1, at Cliff Hagan Stadium in a matchup of top 10 teams. The defending national champions plated six runs in taking an early lead they would not relinquish.

Even Quade Green's high school coach wonders if he'll transfer from UK - Courier Journal
Not even Quade Green's high school coach knows if he'll leave the Kentucky basketball team and transfer after his freshman year.

2018 NFL Schedule: Win-Loss Predictions for Every Team | Bleacher Report
Nearly all of the pieces are in place to provide a fuller picture of the 2018 NFL season. Thursday's regular-season schedule release was the appetizer for next week's draft in Arlington, Texas.

Nick Saban of Alabama says he, Jalen Hurts' father 'on same page' - ESPN
Nick Saban said he wasn't concerned about a Bleacher Report article in which Jalen Hurts' dad discussed the possibility of his son transferring. Saban said he'll instead rely on talks he has had with Hurts and his father.

Why did Lance Armstrong just pay the federal government $5 million? - The Washington Post
The payments agreed on will end the cheating saga involving the former seven-time Tour de France champion.

White Sox trade Tyler Saladino to Brewers, pick up Trayce Thompson from Athletics - Chicago Tribune
The White Sox made two moves on their off day Thursday, trading infielder Tyler Saladino to the Brewers for cash considerations and sending cash to the Athletics for outfielder Trayce Thompson.

Matt Harvey’s latest stinker could be the last straw for Mets - New York Post
The Mets’ symbolic salt-and-pepper shaker disappears on the days Matt Harvey pitches and is replaced by a jug of toilet water.

Three teams will play three straight road games in 2018 – ProFootballTalk
The NFL released the schedule for the 2018 regular season on Thursday night and three teams found out that they'll have three straight road games on tap this season. The Rams, Saints and Ravens drew the extended time away from their home stadiums this year.