Things I’ve thought about while waiting for my autographed photograph of Kelvin Sampson to arrive in the mail:

RICK CARLISLE TAKES OVER IN DALLAS: This hire confuses me to no end.

Carlisle’s reputation is as a defense-first coach and the Mavericks’ best player, Dirk Nowitzki, couldn’t defend an empty golf bag.

The guy must interview well, though, and Carlisle is saying all the right things like how he’s going to let point guard Jason Kidd basically run at will.

Based on Carlisle’s recent spin through the Pacers organization, here’s a prediction: Three years from now the Memphis Grizzlies will be averaging more points than Dallas and Carlisle will be the sole occupant of Mark Cuban’s doghouse.

THE NBA FINALS WILL BE ... Lakers vs. Pistons.

Sure, the Boston Celtics boast the best regular-season record, but they’re an atrocious road club, which is what’s going to pop that big green balloon of theirs.

Boston did win 31 regular-season road games compared to 25 for Detroit. Nonetheless, I like the Pistons’ collective swagger and the fact they enter the Eastern Conference Finals rested.

Out West, the Lakers take care of New Orleans in what might be the NBA’s first-ever battle of yellow uniforms.

PURDUE TRANSFER CONSIDERING NOTRE DAME: These men’s basketball programs haven’t squared off in the regular season since 1966, which is as sad as it is unbelievable.

Blame former Irish coach and yearly underachiever Digger Phelps, a man who did less with more than anyone in the modern era (if you don’t count Houston’s Guy Lewis).

Phelps’ refusal to schedule the Boilermakers made the rivalry bitter when, in fact, there was no rivalry.