Gary Parrish

Here's Thursday's Dear Gary ...

Dear Gary: I am a concerned Kentucky fan! About an hour ago I was watching a show called "All Bets Are Off" in Ohio, and it was reported that Cavaliers head coach Mike Brown might be released at the end of the season in an attempt to keep LeBron James with the Cavs. Bruce Drennan, the host, said it was rumored by Cavalier insiders that the Cavs would make a legitimate attempt to get John Calipari to coach Cleveland. Drennan said LeBron is really good friends with Calipari, and that the hire would likely keep James in Cleveland. Have you heard any rumors regarding this story?

-- Clyde

It has been rumored for a while that Calipari might one day coach LeBron James.

I first heard it maybe three years ago.

The first version had the Knicks  hiring Calipari in an attempt to get James. That obviously didn't happen. But if you're asking whether some basketball people believe this is a realistic scenario, the answer is yes. It's mostly rooted in the fact that Calipari is tight with James and nearly everybody around James -- including James' agent (Leon Rose) and confidant (William Wesley). Hell, one of James' best friends (Brandon Weems) is on staff at Kentucky right now.

Still, it's all speculation and little more.

I would compare it to the speculation that Michigan will fire Rich Rodriguez after next season, then go pluck Jim Harbaugh from Stanford. Could it happen? Sure. But what if Rodriguez turns it around? What if Harbaugh has a terrible season at Stanford next year? What if Harbaugh decides he just really loves living in California?

In other words, there are a lot of moving parts.

Brown could win an NBA title and become unfirable.

James could decide he wants to play in New York, regardless.

The Cavs could decide they don't want a player naming his coach.

James could decide he wouldn't name Calipari even if he could name Calipari.

Calipari could decide he doesn't want to move his family for the second time in two years.

Like I said, there are lots of ways for this to play out, and a lot of things would have to break a certain way for John Calipari to end up coaching the Cavs next season. So I wouldn't be concerned at this point, Clyde. You have an undefeated team, the most exciting player in college basketball, and a realistic shot at a national title. Enjoy that and don't worry yourself about this until Brown is fired and Calipari is mentioned as a replacement. If that happens, absolutely, feel free to worry. But until then, I'd relax.