Thursday Bolts – 9.10.15
Berry Tramel: “Will the Thunder logo win artistic awards? I assume not. Does it affect the won-loss record? Absolutely not. Does changing the logo because some corporate geek says so change the culture? Not necessarily, but possibly. Change for change sake is cultural. The Thunder has been a steadfast franchise since coming to Oklahoma City. The Thunder culture has worked sensationally, and the only major thing you could lay at the feet of this organization is its stars have been injured at inopportune times. If the logo fixes that, change it today. Otherwise, no reason to give in to the bias for action.”
Kevin Pelton of ESPN Insider on international guards: “The rising NBA salary cap might change this equation to some extent. With so much money to spend, teams might be willing to take more risks on bringing free agents over from Europe, where salaries are unlikely to see a corresponding increase. The philosophy on guard play in Europe may also evolve more in line with American style.”
Good piece by Dan Devine of BDL on the Grizzlies: “Or, y’know, maybe none of that happens. Maybe what the Grizz give us this season is what they’ve given for the last half-decade: a defensive juggernaut whose style makes fights, whose stars can finish them, and who, with a little bit of luck, just might be able to get over the top. That sounds pretty good to me. There are worse things than knowing what you’re going to get when what you’re getting is awesome.”
Dion Waiters just couldn’t believe Kobe is an 85.
The President of Orange Leaf in an interview with Forbes: “Everyone at Orange Leaf’s HQ in Oklahoma City is a fan of watching Kevin play for the Thunder. By living in Oklahoma City, we get a close look into how he supports his local community: donating to tornado victims and working one-on-one with kids at summer basketball camps. Similarly, every one of our Orange Leaf stores works to support its local community.”
This was a good podcast with Windhorst and Haberstroh.
Steve Aschburner of NBA.com on new coach with toughest job: “It’s tempting to say Karl because gawkers already are buttering their popcorn and pulling up chairs to watch the pyrotechnics between the coach and DeMarcus Cousins, his most talented player. But I think Billy Donovan’s challenge in OKC is greater. He has very little wiggle room in shepherding the Thunder to championship contention, what with his stars dragging considerable injury histories while he lugs the “college guy stepping up to the pros” pressure that will lurk just below the surface all season.”
