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At the Intersection of Sports and Culture

Photo Credit for Header: Alex Foucre-Stimes

Boogie Nights and the Return of the Elbow Jumper

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I hope all you young basketball players out there are taking a good long look at Dirk Nowitzki’s performance in the Western Conference Finals. Do you see where he is taking and making the majority of his shots? Right from the free throw line. He essentially has one move that cannot be stopped regardless of who is guarding him. I’m pretty sure OKC has tried to stop Dirk with a combination of Kevin Durant, Serge Ibaka, and T. Boone Pickens. Back to the basket, turn and face w/defender giving no space, and drain a 15ft jump shot off of one foot. Cannot be stopped.

Hopefully Dirk’s performance is providing incentive for all young hoopsters out there who bypass the elbow jumpshot for the much sexier “triple” that it pays to work on your mid range game. Most young, and old, players gravitate towards the 3pt line where the the hand gestures are much cooler but the FG% is much, much lower.

Nowitzki is bringing the elbow jumper back in style and riding it all the way to the NBA Finals where a potential rematch w/ Dwyane Wade and Miami Heat is looming. Can we also agree that Kevin Durant and the OKC Thunder, much like D Rose and the Chicago Bulls, may be one year away from winning a championship. Durant and Russell Westbrook need to spend a good, long summer together at sleepaway camp where they can reconnect and reestablish the friendship that has made the Thunder roll in the past.

view from OKC courtesy of @photocorry

Beware of Falling Ping Pong Balls

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I remember reading “The Lottery”, a short story by Shirley Jackson, in high school and thinking: “man, those small town folk sure do have a morbid way of maintaining a sustainable population”. For those unfamiliar with the story, the basic premise is that a small village draws straws to see who “wins” the opportunity to be stoned to death by their neighbors. The ritual was established as a mystical way of ensuring a bountiful harvest for the following year.* It’s the kind of haunting story you wish Alfred Hitchcock could have turned into a major motion picture starring Jimmy Stewart and Kim Novak.

*What’s wrong with a little sun and water you say? Fictional small town folk really do think up the craziest things.

How does Shirley Jackson’s tale compare to the NBA draft lottery held Tuesday night in the small village of Secaucus, NJ? It doesn’t. Not at all. In fact the only thing still decomposing in the Meadowlands are Jimmy Hoffa’s remains. Or perhaps David Kahn’s career as Minnesota Timberwolves general manager.

I’m happy that the Cleveland Cavaliers landed the #1 and #4 picks (Los Angeles Clippers what were you thinking?????). Maybe Kyrie Irving and some other frontline player – probably an unknown Euro 7 footer who is a cross between the next Dirk Nowitzki and Darko Milicic – will team up to help heal the city of Cleveland’s last remaining scars after Lebron’s “Decision”.

Overall, the NBA draft isn’t what it used to be because, in general, basketball players don’t stay in college long enough to build a little brand recognition with the average fan. Consequently, you have a bunch of kids entering the draft who very few people know or care about.

Of course, the NBA could switch things up a bit and model their lottery after the Shirley Jackson’s short story. Imagine a scenario where instead of receiving the 14th pick in the upcoming draft the last lottery team is relegated to the NBA Development League. Not to equate life in the D-League to being stoned to death by a group of innocent children but I think you get the point.

view from American Airlines Arena courtesy of @everyoneluvray

While You Were Sleeping

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What a big night for Maryland Terrapin basketball! First the university hires Mark Turgeon to replace Gary Williams and then Greivis Vasquez, he of recent Turtle fame, buries a three as time expires to send the Grizzlies into a second overtime against the Thunder. OKC would eventually outlast Memphis in 3 overtimes by a final score of 133-123 but by all accounts this was playoff basketball at its best.

Got to hand it to the Memphis crowd who braved the rising waters of the mighty Mississippi River to come out and support their Grizz. I made it as far as the 2nd quarter before falling off into dreamland.

Before you scold me for my lack of dedication to playoff basketball just understand that when you have a 3 month old, you take your sleep wherever you can find it. If it comes at the expense of Grizz/Thunder, so be it.

I’ll do my best to watch Game 5 on Wednesday, that is unless the game starts after 9pm and in that case all bets are off.

view from the FedEx Forum courtesy of @scottumsted

NBA Opener Continued: The Debut of “Loud City”

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I had a colleague, who is just now getting into the NBA, ask me what team he should follow this year. I told him to go with the Oklahoma City Thunder.  With a combination of emerging young superstars (Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook), strong supporting cast (Jeff Green, Serge Ibaka), a good coach, great/loyal fans, and a wide open western conference the Thunder are poised for a breakout season.  Many are predicting a second place finish behind the Lakers.  So, will the “Durantula” live up to expectations or will the Miami Heat continue to steal the headlines?  Share your views.