Thursday Bolts – 4.8.10

The NBA has said, “My bad” about the Jazz game: “The NBA announced Wednesday officials missed a foul in the final seconds of Utah’s overtime victory over Oklahoma City the previous night. “On the final play of last night’s Oklahoma City-Utah game, the officials missed a foul committed by the Jazz’s C.J. Miles on the Thunder’s Kevin Durant during a 3-point shot attempt,” NBA president of league and basketball operations Joel Litvin said in a statement.”

Nick Collison’s reaction was perfect: “Sweet. So we get the win then? Is that how it works? It doesn’t make a difference.”

D.J. White has been assigned to the 66ers once again. Just in time for their playoff run. Take THAT Sioux Falls.

Video of Carmelo Anthony getting “hurt” and then laying on his back as play went on. Paul Pierce thinks that Melo is a warrior.

How good was that national anthem last night? Mrs. DT would like me to point out that it was probably the best ever. (Her friend, Kayley McCoy sang it.)

Mark Travis of But The Game Is On has five reasons you should root for the Thunder: “Even though I just mentioned that trio, its worth pointing out that the whole team gets along. Eric Maynor, James Harden and Serge Ibaka, though all rookies, have been embraced by the three leaders, and Nick Collison, Nenad Krstic, and Thabo Sefolosha have embraced their roles and dedicated to win basketball games as a team rather than going for individual achievements.”

And here’s five reasons why teams should fear the Thunder: “The fans have been waiting for this. They’ve grown up with the team. It will be their first playoff experience. And, thanks to OKC being a small market, you know the real fans aren’t going to get priced out by celebs who just want to appear cool. This means it will be loud. Very, very loud. If there’s one thing I’m looking to outside of the Cavs in the postseason, its the first playoff game in OKC. A good crowd can push the home team to a win. A great crowd can change the series. OKC has a great crowd.”

Berry Tramel on last night’s game: “Sure, the Thunder was tired, after the late-night drama in Utah, playing its sixth game in nine days and fourth in five days. Thunder legs were gone by the fourth quarter. Jumpshots lacked spring. Long arches fell short. But it wasn’t just its legs that went; brains were on short supply, too. Coach Scott Brooks did his team no favor, playing his bench less than normal. Eric Maynor and Serge Ibaka each played around 11 minutes. They needed to play more, not less, at the end of this brutal stretch.

The winner of the giveaway: Lindsey! She was the first to nail KD’s points plus Russ’s assists plus Uncle Jeff’s rebounds plus three Nick Collison charges. So fire me an email so I can send you this spiffy book.

David Thorpe looking at future rankings of this rookie class: “I’m a huge Harden fan, but I also think Thabo Sefolosha is one of the league’s most underrated players. So for the foreseeable future, it’s possible that Harden continues to be a second-unit guy. If that’s the case, he’ll be a key player on a contending team for years but never reach his potential. If the Thunder decide to move him into the starting lineup, he’ll become the best passing sharpshooter on the wing behind LeBron James.”