Kansas Jayhawks News and Notes: May 16, 2015

Sports

Self says proposed changes in rules acceptable | KUsports.com
"I think everything that was done was positive and will help our game over time," Self said. "The rule change the media will probably make a big deal out of is the shot clock going from 35 to 30. That’s not a big deal. The biggest thing that came out of it, the game will be called more in a manner the rules (originaly) have been written. The game has become much too physical. You will see a change. This will create more freedom of movement among players, enforcing rules the way the game was meant to be played."

Joel Embiid aids Sixers brass at Draft Combine | 'Hawks in the NBA | KUsports.com
"His first question was: Why didn’t you go to Kansas?" Turner said, laughing.

How Warriors rapidly regained a winning edge
The Golden State Warriors were down 2-1 in the series way back on Saturday. They might as well have been playing for their season back then, in the distant past. Six days later, they’ve clinched a Western Conference finals berth with a 108-95 smothering of the Memphis Grizzlies. None of the past three Warriors wins have been close. What just happened?

Atlanta Hawks vs Washington Wizards - Recap
The shot swished, apparently tying the score at the buzzer. Pierce raised his arms; both teams began thinking about OT. Then, though, the play was reviewed, showing the clock expired before Pierce released the basketball.

2015 NBA playoffs -- Paul Pierce of Washington Wizards unsure of playing future after elimination by Atlanta Hawks
"I haven't really thought about it," Pierce said more than an hour after the loss at the Verizon Center. "I don't even know if I am going to play basketball anymore. These seasons get harder and harder every year, every day. Summers get even harder when you start getting back in shape. I'm 37 years old. I'm top two or three oldest in the league."

Mitt Romney actually boxed Evander Holyfield. He lost miserably. - Vox
He lost the fight. Holyfield got the title shot, and what did Romney get? A couple of shots at Holyfield and a one-way ticket to Palookaville. We shoulda looked out for him instead of making him take them dives for the short-end money.

Other

In Louisiana it’s syphilis; in Alaska it's boat crashes: the most unique cause of death in every state - Vox
This is the takeaway from a new Centers for Disease Control map published Thursday, which charts the most unique cause of death in all 50 states. To be clear: this is not the most common cause of death. The above causes of death represent, at most, 1.8 percent of all deaths in a given state. What they do show is what type of deaths are more likely to happen in one state than another. There were only, for example, 22 syphilis deaths in Louisiana — but that still makes it more prevalent there than anywhere else in the country.

The Dzhokhar Tsarnaev Boston Marathon bombing trial, explained - Vox
It has been more than two years since two bombs exploded at the finish line of the 2013 Boston Marathon and the world watched in horror as an extensive, televised manhunt followed — culminating in a bloody shootout that killed one suspect and a tense standoff in which the other was captured.

Under Armour Condemned Over Iwo Jima "Band Of Ballers" Basketball Shirt
A t-shirt that appropriates the imagery of raising the flag on Iwo Jima has apparel maker Under Armour under attack. Hundreds of people outraged by the shirt have been flooding Under Armour’s Facebook page today with complaints. Under Armour calls the shirt "Band of Ballers" which is if not insensitive also geographically inaccurate.

Amid Fight Over "Poop Map," Homeless Trust Chair Ron Book Says He's Keeping His Job | Miami New Times
A nasty dispute over the public-toilet needs of Miami's homeless population — and the question of who should pay for them — ramped up again yesterday. The Downtown Development Authority (DDA), the agency in charge of promoting Miami business, unveiled new evidence in its battle with another agency, the Homeless Trust, and its chairman, Ron Book, over public toilets: A "poop map." (Ed note. I saw this story on twitter on my phone and googled "Florida Man Poop" thinking it would be the first story to come up. Evidently Florida residents pooping in public is a lot more common than i thought.)

Beer Growlers Will Be Legal in Florida July 1 After Rick Scott Signs Bill | Miami New Times
The Florida Legislature didn't pass a budget this year. They haven't decided what to do about Medicaid expansion. But they did finally settle another painful and lingering debate in the Sunshine State. After three years of failed efforts, 64-ounce beer growlers are finally legal. The bill was passed by both houses and signed into law by Rick Scott yesterday.

Discussion Questions

1. What do you have going on this weekend?

2. Have you ordered your RCT shirt yet?