Tuesday Bolts – 9.9.14
The Thunder are third in ESPN.com’s future power rankings: “Internal development will be crucial because of the Thunder’s unwillingness, thus far, to exceed the luxury tax, as reflected in their bottom-five ranking in money. Oklahoma City’s marquee offseason acquisition was journeyman shooting guard Anthony Morrow, who replaces departed starter Thabo Sefolosha, to give the Thunder more shooting but weaker defense at the position. Besides staying healthy after untimely injuries to Westbrook and Ibaka the past two postseasons, the key to the Thunder breaking through will be the progress of recent first-round picks such as Jeremy Lamb and Perry Jones to bolster the team’s bench. There’s added urgency to win now, too, with Durant’s free agency looming in the summer of 2016.”
Kevin Pelton of ESPN Insider on Spain: “Even factoring in Spain’s home-court edge, the USA rates as an eight-point favorite in a potential clash in the finals. However, at some point overall ability only determines so much of the outcome of an individual game. Matchups matter, and that’s where USA-Spain is fascinating. Spain’s edge in the frontcourt with Marc and Pau Gasol will be tough to match, and this version of the USA roster doesn’t appear well equipped to take advantage of Spain’s biggest weakness: lack of size on the wing. So if Spain continues to roll through the medal rounds, the USA may find itself an underdog in the final.”
Kevin Durant and LeBron are fans of Calvin Johnson.
Sports Business Journal: “The NBA and its network partners expect to reach an agreement in principle on new long-term media deals by the start of the regular season, according to sources on all sides of the discussions. Talks have progressed so rapidly that details are emerging on a massive agreement that would see the league’s annual rights fee more than double, with ESPN and Turner combining to pay more than $2 billion per year on average. One source said ESPN already has committed to pay “well over” $1 billion per year, and Turner is not far behind for a media rights extension that would kick in with the 2016-17 season.”
Zach Lowe of Grantland on the Hawks: “Perhaps other owners with relocation dreams might be willing to pay that sort of premium. It takes only one, and Seattle itself is a large market. Moving the Sonics from Seattle to Oklahoma City, the league’s third-smallest TV market, with minimal hotel capacity, made zero practical sense. Any relocation talk at this point is far-fetched speculation, the kind of “What if?” buzz that always follows a story of this magnitude. And the Bucks probably have to get a new arena — an actual, physical building — before any other team becomes a realistic candidate for relocation. For now, let’s see how the Levenson sale plays out, and whether other ugly comments come to light. Remember: The Sterling litigation is ongoing. That story isn’t dead yet, and the ripple effects continue.”
