Aug 16, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; United States Basketball Managing Director Jerry Colangelo and the USA Team address the crowd after the game against Brazil at the United Center. The United States defeated Brazil 95-78. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
Thought Of The Week
Michael Saenz: I was left underwhelmed after watching Team USA struggle there way — yes, struggle — to a “blowout” victory over Brazil a few days ago. Apart from Anthony Davis’ coming out party (20 points and seven rebounds) on national television, there was nothing that left me believing that this squad is a slam dunk, no pun intended, to win a Gold Medal next month. If anything, their performance made me reconsider if this team is really going to beat Spain, IN Spain, next month.
John Armstrong: The Kings made history signing the first ever Indian NBA player Sim Bhullar, as well as having Mitch Richmond inducted into the Hall of Fame. It’s a good time to rock the purple and black.
This offseason has me pumped for next year. Can’t wait to see LeBron (and Kevin Love) vs. Melo and the Knicks on Day 1, Kobe chasing Jordan on the scoring list, and Stephen Curry attempt to prove he’s better at offense than LeBron.
Morten Jensen: The NBA is clearly making space for ads on their jerseys, by moving the NBA logo to the back. Some might insist it was inevitable, which I’m inclined to agree with, but having said that, when is it enough? Starting line-up presentation have sponsors, instant replay have sponsors, every single time-out we’re greeted by sponsors who tries to push products our way. Fine. But the uniforms, to me, represented a break from advertising. It was clean, pure, and assisted greatly in taking otherworldly photographies of iconic players doing iconic things.
Now, we’re going to see images of Kobe’s fade-away or LeBron’s tomahawk carrying a dirty little logo for something that doesn’t matter on it? What’s next? Ads on sleeves and headbands? Probably not, but still, this is going too far and people are too understanding of this. That money isn’t going to you or me, and yet we’re okay with this development because it was bound to happen anyway? The league is about to sign a TV-deal that will likely double in size. Billionaires are standing in line to purchase a team. The league doesn’t need this. Yet, they’ve convinced everyone that this isn’t a big deal. It is, and one day, they’ll hear about it from the fans. The NBA just took the purest part of their game, and soiled it, while manipulating a big deal of public into thinking this is somehow acceptable. I’m not a fan of that, and neither should you be.
George Middleton: When will Eric Bledsoe sign?
Bryce Olin: Congratulations Sim Bhullar for inking an NBA deal with the Sacramento Kings and becoming the first NBA player with Indian descent. Bhullar is 7-5 and 360 pounds. I don’t know what his impact will be in the league. If anything, Boogie Cousins is going to have to put a little more arc under his jumper in practice.
Brandon Osborne: Team USA plays Brazil on the 16th and ill be interested to see how they look without Kevin Durant and Paul George. The Americans are still the favorite but it’s no longer a certain thing that they will win.