Monday Bolts – 7.23.12
ric Freeman of BDL has a jersey sponsor for OKC: “‘The Avengers'” on Blu-Ray/DVD. Mark Ruffalo, who plays the Hulk in the Marvel blockbuster, is a big enemy of hydrofracking, an energy-company practice advocated by OKC co-owner Aubrey McClendon. In order to prevent future complaints, McClendon will allow Ruffalo to advertise his movies on Thunder uniforms.”
Bill Simmons on the Celtics-OKC drama: “Two fascinating ‘damaged goods’ sagas didn’t get nearly enough attention recently: The real possibility that Portland’s doctors concealed Webster’s back woes and Oklahoma City’s doctors concealed Jeff Green’s heart condition before trading them … which would obviously be sneaky as hell. When those players ended up being sidelined, both Minnesota and Boston protested vehemently behind the scenes, with the league desperately trying to keep the bitterness behind closed doors. In Boston’s case, the league ruled that Oklahoma City DID act in poor faith and gave Boston the rights to Charlotte’s 2013 second-round pick (which OKC owns). Since the Celtics wanted a first-rounder and financial compensation, you can only guess how they felt about getting a measly second-round pick when, again, there was plenty of evidence to support Boston’s claim that Oklahoma City’s doctors withheld medical information from them. The league looking out for Clay Bennett? That never happens!”
Free agency winners and losers.
Marc Stein of ESPN.com on KD: “Kevin Durant was at his deadly best Sunday night in the Palau Sant Jordi, leaving you with the feeling that every time he hoisted the ball only fate could make him miss. He rainbowed 11 shots from behind the 3-point line, drained seven of them and, thanks to the big triples he hit early and late in this 86-80 victory over Argentina, earned himself a trip to the interview room to sit at the winners’ podium alongside Team USA coach Mike Krzyzewski. A quick trip, just like that, from virtually unguardable to pretty guarded. While Krzyzewski answered questions, Durant kept his head down, eyes on his phone, looking up only when someone directly addressed him. Others on this exhibition tour have noticed it as well since Team USA arrived in Europe: Durant isn’t who you go to these days for broad smiles or long conversations. Not that Krzyzewski minds.”
L. Jon Wertheim of SI on Shawn Kemp: “It is suggested that Kemp’s popularity might stem from the fact that Seattle watched him grow up, experienced much of the drama surrounding him and now feels truly invested in the outcome of his story. Maybe, he shrugs. But he also thinks that after the Sonics effectively died when the franchise moved to Oklahoma City in 2008 to become the Thunder, the team has been romanticized, its players turned into cult figures. “The Sonics did so much in the community and had so much history,” says Kemp. “Hopefully Seattle will get another team. I think it’s one of those you-don’t-know-what-you-got-till-it’s-gone deals.”
Nazr Mohammed signing off: “But I have to say a huge thank u to all the OKC fans. The support was unbelievable and y’all will always have a piece of my heart #ThunderUp.”
Science has figured out how to best shoot a basketball, according to Larry Silverberg of NC State: “The magic formula: a launch angle of 52 degrees, three revolutions per second of backspin, and aiming for a spot 7 centimeters (2.8 inches) back from the center of the basket, toward the back of the rim. ‘With backspin, if the ball hits the rim or backboard, the contact deadens the ball,” said Silverberg. “That means it comes off slower, stays closer to the basket and is more likely to fall in.'”
Ian Thompson of SI.com on Team USA’s top competition: “The U.S. will likely counter with a variety of unorthodox lineups, units that emphasize athleticism in order to mask a lack of size up front. Spain will play more traditionally, and the familiarity of its players — they’ve been contending for medals for years and know each other as well as any international team — will generate confidence that it can read and react to the unpredictability of the U.S. rotations. The U.S. deserves to be the heavy favorite, but the continuity, depth and experience of the Spanish gives them the best shot at delivering an historic upset. They will have to play exceptional team basketball, but they also believe that they’ve invested the necessary time together to produce the game of their lives.”