Good morning. Let’s basketball.
Good morning, Team USA is terrified by New Zealand’s dancing
That and much more in Wednesday’s NBA newsletter.
FIBA UPDATE: Team USA is still good, with a tournament-best +107 after three games. Six teams have clinched spots in the knockouts: USA, Spain, Serbia, Greece, Argentina and Slovenia. No one is technically eliminated yet, though that will change Wednesday. Links to all box scores here plus the daily schedule right here. Team USA has Francisco Garcia and the Dominican Republic today.
OH MY GOD: Watching Team USA react in terrified bewilderment at New Zealand’s pregame Haka dance is absolutely wonderful. Watch the extended video.
INTERESTING IDEA: Andrew Sharp suggests allowing American players to participate in only one Olympic cycle.
SNIP: Turner is chopping down expenses. Will the company be able to keep running NBA TV and retain two games a week on TNT? There are also concerns about cuts at Bleacher Report. Turner also operates NBA.com through an agreement with the league.
HMMMMM: Could the Kings’ weird recent moves signal movement on a bigger deal, like one for Josh Smith?
NOT GREAT: Noah Vonleh is out 6-8 weeks with a sports hernia. Missing preseason as a rookie is typically not great.
WELP. (via Stevie Mac.)
THAT OTHER NBA GAME: Polygon’s Samit Sarkar on NBA Live 15.
REPEATING HISTORY: Six years ago, faced with a gnarly rebuild, a Celtics star signed a long-term extension in advance of free agency. Will Rajon Rondo follow suit?
HOLLYWOOD AS HELL: How a disparaging Joakim Noah quote about the Heat made to the red carpet of the Dwyane Wade-Gabrielle Union nuptials.
DEFINING SUCCESS: Is it title or bust for Cleveland this season?
HEY JEREMY EVANS! Your jumping ability is ridiculous.
YOOOO: T-Mac comeback! (Maybe.)
WELL ALRIGHT: You can now hire Chris Broussard to speak at your corporate meeting or for your rec league team.
Happy Wednesday. See you next time.
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