(I love it when bad things happen to the Gasol brothers.)

Kevin Durant blocked two last-ditch Rudy Fernandez three pointers as time expired and Team USA held on for a thrilling, 86-85 victory against Spain.

I would discuss how Rajon Rondo played but, well, he didn’t exactly play. Rondo pulled the DNP, joining Danny Granger and the injured Kevin Love as the only USA players not to play a single second.

Why? Who knows. Maybe he’s a little banged-up. Maybe Coach K was disgusted by Rondo’s bad performance the other day. Maybe Coach K just wanted to give the bubble guys more of a chance to play. Maybe Rondo’s even on the bubble himself.

I doubt Rondo was being saved as a secret weapon for the next time USA runs into Spain. If he was, why were he and Granger the only healthy players not to get in? That just doesn’t make sense to me.

P.S. – Rudy Fernandez looked pretty bad. Too much complaining this summer and not enough practicing, it looks like.

P.P.S. – Ricky Rubio is the real deal. I was so excited by a few plays he made that my 12-year old brother looked at me and said, “I think you’re homo for Rubio or something.” I don’t think I’m actually homo for Rubio, but I definitely have a man crush on his basketball game.

I guess defense and rebounding aren't the only things Clifford Ray taught Kendrick Perkins.

My headline writing has peaked. It can never get any better than “Perkins has no intention of being a Tall Black.” I might as well retire now.

But back to the matter on hand, Perkins’ father said his son has no desire to ever play for New Zealand’s National Team. (Waikato Times)

New Zealand men’s basketball assistant coach Dillon Boucher said this week that the Boston Celtics centre was viewed as a prospective Tall Black if he met Fiba eligibility criteria.

But his father Kenny Perkins was adamant the 25-year-old would turn down any advances.

“He has no intention of playing for the Tall Blacks – not now or ever,” Kenny Perkins told the Waikato Times.

“They tried this a long time ago when Tab Baldwin was the coach and I would never let him play for Tab Baldwin.

“His main goal is to play for the United States.”

I said it last time, but it sucks that Perk got injured. He would have had a solid chance of making this year’s team. Hell, Chris Sheridan is talking about Tyson Chandler as a lock to make it. With the lack of quality size on that roster, Perk would have had a real chance to represent his country this summer. But instead he’s just fielding offers to play for New Zealand, even though there’s no way in hell he wants to be a Tall Black. No pun intended, but somewhat intended.