Tuesday Bolts – 6.15.10

At the mayor’s convention, Mick Cornett was asked about the MAPS project. This part was interesting: “Cornett said he called NBA Commissioner David Stern the day after the Ford Center vote passed with about 62 percent in favor and apologized that 38 percent of voters didn’t approve of the plan, though Stern said it represented overwhelming support.”

The Thunder will play the Grizzlies in a preseason game Oct. 12 at the BOK Center in Tulsa. Ticket information should be coming soon.

John Wall a mix of Russell Westbrook and Derrick Rose? He sounds AMAZING.

Russell Westbrook on if Ron Adams and Mo Cheeks were to leave: “A huge impact. They’re a part of what we started here, especially last year with the playoffs and things like that. I’m pretty sure they’ll make the best decisions for them and their families.”

Some rapper named J. Cole in a Q&A: “Out of the the guys currently playing in the NBA, who would you pick to use your new single “Who Dat” in an endorsement commercial? Well of course I’m going to go with LeBron, only because you know he’s a man-child. But probably more like a Chris Paul [New Orleans Hornets] since there’s a New Orleans connection. Who else? Dwyane Wade [Miami Heat] or maybe some of the new guys, they could use that. It’s kind of like a ‘I’m not all the way established’ song, but ‘watch out for me.’ Like maybe Kevin Durant [Oklahoma City Thunder] or Derrick Rose [Chicago Bulls].”

Chad Ford reported yesterday that the Pacers are after Ty Lawson or Darren Collison. There have been whisperings of Indiana looking into Eric Maynor as well for the No. 10 pick, but it looks like the Pacers may go another direction.

The architect of the brilliant “Where Amazing Happens” commercials in an interview with SLAM: “The main goal is to make engaging commercials for the people who are watching the games and TV. To lure them in and captivate them during those 30 seconds and to entertain them. The goal is to have them engaged for 30 seconds and try and make cool music out of the content from the NBA. We’re taking press conference clips that are sometimes cool but sometimes a little dull. We’ve put in a little spice to turn them into these tracks. Visually, you want to make it strong. You want to make sure you have the right plays. It takes a lot of work to find the right clips, the right dunks, the right assists and steals and blocks to utilize it. We’re talking about defense, it took some work to find the clips of the guys playing defense. There’s a visual and audio component to it. The most important part is the 30 seconds you have to hook people in and get the point across.”

Sonicsgate accepting its Webby Award with Gary Payton. Pretty cool.

Ziller surmised the top five picks of the draft may be set: “There’s been talk of both Minnesota and Sacramento dropping down or out of the top five. But if the teams stick, it looks like the first five picks of the draft could be set, with Washington taking John Wall at No. 1, Philadelphia picking either Ohio State guard Evan Turner or Favors at No. 2, the Nets taking Philadelphia’s leftover at No. 3, Johnson going to Minnesota at No. 4 and Cousins to Sacramento at No. 5.”

The Clippers are still interested in Kelvin Sampson: “The Los Angeles Clippers have put their head coaching search on hold, focusing on ways to lure free-agent in-waiting LeBron James. However, all indications are the Clippers remain interested in Bucks assistant coach Kelvin Sampson.”