We construct our experience as sports fans around a series of elements — specific memories, mottoes, players, regional identity. The sum of all this is often referred to as the brand experience, and there are few spheres in American culture where that phenomenon resonates greater than in sports. When it comes to brand awareness, visual representation is vital to the way we relate and respond to certain teams. There’s a reason the Yankees, Steelers, Celtics and Canadiens haven’t futzed around with their logos too much over the years. As storied franchises, they’re intent on evoking purity and nostalgia as key components of their brand, which makes a lot of sense because these teams have enjoyed a lot of success.  More...

In case you haven’t noticed or happen to be in hibernation from the Clippers, the coaching carousel is starting to turn a bit. We’re not quite at defcon level Ramon Sessions yet, but things seem to be slowly heating up around the league. Let’s take a look at the latest names to be floated around.  More...

• The estimable Steve Perrin over at ClipsNation breaks down the coaching situation and makes some sense out of locking up a coach sooner rather than later. The LeBron James fantasy is fun, but passing up dates with attractive candidates in hopes that the supermodel has your phone number isn’t the smartest strategy.

Over the past couple of postseasons, Lakers’ playoff opponents have been practicing and working out at the Clippers’ training facility in Playa Vista. Practice for the Jazz was called for 10 a.m. on Monday morning at the facility, where there was a slew of media waiting outside the practice court. When Jazz personnel flung the doors open to the court and the procession of cameras and notebooks filed in, who was the first person in view?

Blake Griffin, who was doing deep knee lunges on the practice court with Clippers trainer Jasen Powell.

• In case you missed it, Jan Vesely pulled out of the 2010 NBA Draft to work more on his game before coming to the NBA. Although he was unlikely to be taken before the Clippers pick or by the Clippers themselves, stranger things could have happened.

• We’ll talk a ton about the Clippers’ lottery pick in the next few months, but what about the second round? Due to some earlier trades and pick swapping, the Clippers will select near the tail-end of the draft at pick 24. I’ve been trumpeting his case all year, but why not take a chance on Cal’s Jerome Randle? He was nearly a 180 shooter his senior of college, shooting over 40% from three and 93% from the free throw line. He was also the MVP of the Portsmouth Invitational last month. Draftexpress takes a look at Randle and decides it might not be wise to dismiss him because of his height. Other than dunking ability and a bestselling jersey in the league (ugh), what’s Nate Robinson have that Randle doesn’t?

• Where in the world is Ricky Davis? Turkey. I don’t know why I find the prospect of Ricky Davis in Turkey fascinating, but I do. Get buckets, Ricky. Get buckets.

• Someone will need to make the first move in free agency for the fireworks to start. Will it be Chris Bosh choosing a home first? As much as the player movement will depend on that first domino, coaching movement might be the same way. Avery Johnson is going to talk with New Orleans and Philadelphia about their openings. New Orleans has also been rumored as a destination for Dwane Casey, one of the Clippers top candidates, so that’s a situation to keep a close eye on.

• Speaking of Bosh, he’s asking his followers on Twitter for some help on his “decision” this summer. Bosh has always struck me as a guy who desperately craves the limelight. Wherever he goes, I think he wants to be “the guy.” Feel free to make your case to Bosh in 140 words or less, but beware the Raptor Truthers. They (with good reason) aren’t handling this whole thing too well.