Nothing's Changed

Nothing too much to report on the lockup front. The owners are still locking players out because owners can't help themselves from paying players too much, you never know when one might be the next Rashard Lewis. The league has, allegedly, suffered a lot, but see this post and this one. It couldn't come at a worse time, after the LeBron collapse, the resurrection of Dirk, Mark Cuban made likable for a second, the highest rated season in NBA history, and so on. Everyone said what they had to say on that front back in June. There's not much for me to chew on, the carcass has already been heavily picked over. And for us non-Turkish TV getting basketball fans, life may be as dull as it can get for people who enjoy dunks. Not everything has gone wrong in this hot, malaise filled summer. Youtube is still working. Below is a little summer entertainment. Enjoy!








This Oscar Robertson mini-doc has a great subject but a really obnoxious tone. It takes the attitude of "Who can say what the past was like, there were angry white people and angry black people, but now we've all grown." This, it should go without saying, is highly ridiculous. The reason Oscar Robertson was "angry" was that he received death threats. The reason the white folks were angry and threatening his life was that he was good at basketball. That and the inspirational music would be enough for me to pass on it like Pistol Pete if it weren't a good story about a great player. It also gets a lot more gentle on the man in the end, but remains too judgmental. Definitely watch the video for the man, but be forewarned, whoever wrote the script, particularly the early part, majored in bullshit pseudo history.




If you're having trouble sleeping:



We can reminisce about his long and lustrous career, but he really stood out for moments like these:



Of course, if all else fails, we can sing like a girl, or like a frog.

This Week's Media Winners

In honor of the NBA summer media doldrums, here is an uplifting compilation of some choice gems.

Creepiest Off-Season Farewell (2009):
Ben Gordon parts ways with the Chicago Bulls this summer to the collective pounding of our techno hearts.


Most Creative Conspiracy Story (Everywhere, Soon):
The Chicago Bulls' logo is not what what it appears to be, but perhaps more frightening. Watch as a simple rotation reveals its true nature. No wonder resigning Gordon wasn't the first thing on their mind.






(Robot priest at high alter with text, preparing for human sacrifice...)

Best Media Mix (All-Time Award):
Steve Porter's "Press Hop" is truly among the sports world's elite montages.


Best Free Agent Negotiation Documentary (2009)
Jerry Buss discusses the subtleties of Lamar Odom's contract negotiations in this lucid look inside his Los Angeles empire.


Strangest Music Video (2009)
Toronto looks to welcome Hedo Turkoglu to its streets. Apparently they appreciate the cultural contribution that he (and his grandmother?) can offer their city.

(From Turkcell mobile, advertisement)