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SALT LAKE CITY — Any time you can make money for sinking a half-court basket, it's a win-win opportunity. But sometimes the shot means more than the money.
In the break between the third and fourth quarters of the Oklahoma City Thunder's 122-105 win over the Los Angeles Lakers Tuesday night, Thunder fan Heath Kufahl, a high school basketball coach, was pulled from the crowd to attempt a half-court shot for $20,000.
Wearing an Oklahoma City Thunder jersey, Kufahl launched the ball into the air, nailing the half-court shot to win the money. Kufahl ran around the court in celebration as his wife, Jenni, stood mid-court in amazement.
Kufahl is incredibly deserving not only because he's supporting a family of eight on a teacher salary, but also because his wife, Jenni, was diagnosed with Stage 3 colon cancer last fall.
–Kelly Hines, The Tulsa World
And while it's an incredible feat to sink a half-court shot, the money is an even better gift for the Kufahl family. Jenni Kufahl, a mother of seven, has been battling cancer and has amassed significant medical bills. Heath Kufahl said he plans to use the money to pay the mounting medical bills.
"Kufahl is incredibly deserving not only because he's supporting a family of eight on a teacher salary, but also because his wife, Jenni, was diagnosed with Stage 3 colon cancer last fall," writes Kelly Hines of The Tulsa World. "She has been undergoing chemo treatments but received a good report last month that her tumors have shrunk and no new cancer was discovered."
Football team for sale
Do you like football? How about indoor football? Would you like to be part owner of a football team? Well, if you've got $80,000 lying around, do I have a deal for you.
Mike Polaski, co-owner of the Cedar Rapids Titans indoor football team, has put his 20 percent stake in the team up for sale on Craigslist. Polaski, a restaurant owner, is selling his minority share of the team because a "downturn" in his business, according to KCRG in Cedar Rapids.
"A downturn in my ‘core' business (restaurant owner) has forced me to liquidate my 20% ownership in the Cedar Rapids Titans LLC - Indoor Football Team," the advertisement states.
So, if you like indoor football and have an extra $80,000 to spare, go be a part-owner of a team. Who knows, maybe you'll be the next Jerry Jones (I'm sorry, I wouldn't wish that upon anyone).
North Korea changing the rules
Former Chicago Bulls star Dennis Rodman recently made a rare (and bizarre) trip to North Korea, which had many U.S. diplomats shaking their heads. But as a result of Rodman's trip, North Korea's rules for basketball were brought to light.
Here are just some of their rules:
- Dunks count as three points.
- A traditional three-pointer that doesn't touch the rim is worth four points.
- A basket made in the last three minutes of the game are worth eight points.
- A missed free throw will cost a team a point.
Can you imagine the last few minutes of a game? It would be an intense game where anything is possible. Deadspin writer Reuben Fischer-Baum decided to determine the outcomes of three NBA games using North Korean rules. Looking at "The Shot" game — Bulls at Cavaliers, Game 5 of the Eastern Conference First Round in 1989 — where Michael Jordan scored the game-winning shot to beat the Cavs 101-100, the outcome would be extremely different and less exciting.
"The last possession would have played out very differently," writes Fischer-Baum. "This time down one, the Cavs' only hope is to foul and pray the shooter misses both free throws. ‘The Shot' no longer exists, and possibly incites a brawl for running up the score."
The end result: Bulls 126, Cavaliers 117.
