The Wizards today unveiled their new primary logo beginning with the '15-16 season, which incorporates the "monument ball" that has been used since '11. The team will continue to use the "DC hands" logo, but will stop using the partial moon logo that was introduced in '97 when the club's name was changed from Bullets (Wizards). USA TODAY's Nate Scott writes the circle is "wonderful" and the "way it incorporates the Washington Monument into the basketball is sweet." Scott: "It's also got the white stripe you’ve seen before with the Capitals, and it is beautiful" (USATODAY.com, 4/15). The Washington Post's Jorge Castillo wrote on Twitter, "The Wizards have done everything to distance themselves from wizards but change the name itself" (TWITTER.com, 4/15).
BIG TICKET OR TICKET TO RIDE? In Minneapolis, Patrick Reusse writes the return of T'Wolves F Kevin Garnett to the lineup on Feb. 25 "has gone from an epic celebration to an epic charade." Reusse: "Right off the top, we should have seen this as a bunch of hoo-ha to get a few minutes of attention in another winter of empty sections of seats for Wolves home games." He played five home games in an 11-day period and the T'Wolves "averaged 18,131" in attendance. Garnett "hasn’t played since." Assuming he sits tonight, that will be "21 consecutive games missed to end the season" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 4/15).
PATIENT PHILLY FANS? In N.Y., Michael Sokolove wrote under the header, "How Low Can the Philadelphia 76ers Go?" Sokolove noted he "followed the Sixers off and on for months this season, trying to understand how the team’s quixotic plan was progressing." Sixers Managing Owner Josh Harris "wants to restore the Sixers' luster." Harris: "The ultimate goal is to be an elite NBA franchise that is competing for the top spots. That’s what we want to do." 76ers CEO Scott O'Neil and other club execs talk as if their young players "have the city buzzing with excitement." Sokolove: "My own impression was that the fans who show up at Wells Fargo Center in South Philadelphia do appreciate them. ... I’ve never seen such tolerant Philly crowds" (N.Y. TIMES, 4/10).
SUMMER BREEZE: The Jazz on Monday announced that the Spurs, 76ers and Celtics “will join them in Utah this summer for three days of games from July 6-9” in the Rocky Mountain Revue. It is a “smaller reincarnation of the Revue and, unlike its predecessor, it will be held at the larger EnergySolutions Arena instead of the more intimate gym at Salt Lake Community College.” Each of the four teams “will play three games, with nightly doubleheaders taking a break on July 8.” The Jazz “will also continue their participation in the Las Vegas summer league, slated for later in July” (SALT LAKE TRIBUNE, 4/14).
