RaychelSnr's Blog
How did OKC arrive at the center of the basketball universe? 
Posted on June 11, 2012 at 11:20 AM.
How did we arrive here?
Is this really happening?
All good narratives have a beginning, an ending, and also that moment right before the climax when you simply ask how in the world you actually did get here from there. Right now, Oklahoma City is in that awkward stage right before the big fight when you are in a bit of disbelief about what is actually going on -- too much in awe to really appreciate the significance of the moment but fully aware of what's about to happen.
As a lifelong Oklahoman and as an Executive Editor of OS, I'm giving myself permission to use a bit of creative freedom to really press in the significance of this moment from the Sooner State from the perspective of an insider.
It wasn't that long ago that the national perception, and it wasn't wrong, about Oklahoma City (and Oklahoma) was that it was a podunk cow town with a few oil companies and absolutely nothing to do.
Let's face it, the Oklahoma City Zoo and the Kilpatrick Center weren't exactly attractive to people across the nation.
Oklahoma City was more a crossroads for passers through. South to Dallas and greener pastures or north with eventual destinations of big league cities such as Kansas City or Denver. Or perhaps down I-40 to the coasts and where the population center of the country lay.
But Oklahoma City? It simply wasn't on the map of places you'd really want to go.
Slowly and surely, that perception is changing. No longer is Oklahoma City a podunk cow town but rather it is home to many new and thriving districts with ample shopping, eating, work opportunities, and activities not the least of which has become Thunder basketball.
We're not exactly New York City here -- but certainly the city has come a long away in just a short amount of time.
In fact thanks to Thunder basketball, OKC is becoming a place you kind of equate with success. You can't buy that sort of advertising on any medium.
There was never any doubt from me -- or anyone else who has lived here -- that this state could support a team. Let's face it, while we do have more to do than even ten years ago, we're a very sports centric state. Perhaps OKC could someday be called the Green Bay equivalent of the NBA -- one of the smallest markets but most reliable fan bases.
Of course it helps that this city really hasn't experienced long periods of failure when it comes to basketball -- but that's neither here nor there for the immediate term.
The question of how Oklahoma City arrived to this point is a tale of twists and turns and, if you live in the Puget Sound area, scandal. Oklahoma City initially sought out an NHL franchise when the league expanded by four teams in the '90s. OKC was one of six cities bidding for four franchises.
OKC lost.
Around fifteen years later, OKC has an even bigger prize in an even bigger league and culturally a much better fit for the state -- we aren't a hockey state here and never will be after all.
The reasons the NHL passed up on OKC were familiar to leaders of the city. OKC was just a cow-town in the Southwest after all.
It's amazing what visionary leadership and long term thinking and opportunistic business moves will do for a city.
After Hurricane Katrina, city leaders told George Shinn we would be waiting with open arms to take care of his Hornets for awhile, we then foolishly fell in love with them. There were some making bold predictions that the Hornets were never leaving. But they should've known better -- you always fall hardest for a first love after all.
Enter Clay Bennett and company. Either the hero or the villain depending on your geographical location.
Everyone in OKC knew what was coming next, everyone in the country did. When Bennett's ownership group bought the Seattle Supersonics it was with a clear motive: either move them to OKC or get a new arena and sell them for a nice and easy profit to someone in the Pac-NW.
Bennett had been eyeballing a pro franchise for OKC all the way back to the failed NHL pursuit of the 90s. When the franchise was sold to his group, everyone in the room knew exactly what it meant from David Stern all the way down to the assistant getting everyone coffee.
What happened in that whole process was definitely scandalous, but it was hardly surprising.
And so it happened. And so the arena deal didn't work out in Seattle. And so the Sonics moved to OKC and became the Thunder.
Initially, it appeared Seattle fans had the first laugh, when the Thunder's inaugural season in OKC started out 3-29. The Thunder appeared ready to head towards where the Bobcats ended this season as one of the worst in history.
Enter Scott Brooks stage right.
While the Thunder continued their slide, starting off 1-12 in the Brooks era, things began to change and the Thunder had a respectable late season run -- finishing 23-59 overall.
Then came the 09-10 run, with the season ending with a loss to the Lakers in six games. Then came the 10-11 run, which featured a Western Conference Finals run thanks to a Grizzlies upset of the Spurs.
And now, in less than 48 short hours, the nation will be tuned into the NBA Finals live from Oklahoma City.
You see Thunder basketball everywhere in this state. Billboards across the entire state shouting their support for the Thunder. The moment you cross the Red River you begin to be bombarded with shouts of Go Thunder from Billboards, trucks, and just about anywhere else people can exclaim their approval of NBA Basketball. Go walk around OKC's downtown district and you'll see Thunder murals on buildings and signs hanging off of the downtown skyline pronouncing favorable tidings for the franchise.
Enter the arena and enter into one of the finest home court experiences anywhere in the league, with sell outs becoming a regular occurrence along with loud games. I don't know who wants to watch the Bobcats play basketball against their team more than fans in Oklahoma City.
Not bad for that cow-town going nowhere fast at the crossroads in America.
How did we get here again?
Chris is a lifelong Oklahoman, a storm chaser and filmmaker during the springs, and an Executive Editor here at OS. You can follow him on Twitter @ChrisSnr.
# 2
thegame19991999 @ Jun 11
a spurs fan. how okc got here the nba and the referee plus abc wanting high rateing.what most fans want durant a good guy and lebron the evil one
# 3
Jadakiss88 @ Jun 11
So your saying that the NBA, Refs, and TV stations were at practice w/ Durant, woke him every morning to train, and taught him how to gather the team and put everyone on one accord...? I still don't understand that argument when it's players in the NBA that can barely put the ball in the basket once on a wide open shot. Unless, they have a magnet they can turn on and off w/ a remote nobody can argue with the points on the board.
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# 6
thiefinthenight @ Jun 11
Oh, I love the facade of altruism from the most vocal fans of Oklahoma City. "We accepted a team from New Orleans with open arms," they say.
When in reality some (read: not all) residents turned from good Samaritan assisting us in time of need to a disparaging pickpocket in a matter of weeks. The newspaper articles & message boards were filled with vitriol and hate mongering even before the waters receded in my home.
I read comment after comment mouth agape as it became apparent that individuals could revel in our suffering, as long as it provided them with a opportunity to looked on as a "major city," as if the entire region was somehow afflicted with a Napoleonic complex grasping for relevancy.
I apologize if I come off rude, but it's painful time for me to relive. A time in my life where there were some enjoying that a historic world renowned city laid in ruins.
I'll get off the soapbox now. Sorry to interrupt the love-fest. Go Heat?
When in reality some (read: not all) residents turned from good Samaritan assisting us in time of need to a disparaging pickpocket in a matter of weeks. The newspaper articles & message boards were filled with vitriol and hate mongering even before the waters receded in my home.
I read comment after comment mouth agape as it became apparent that individuals could revel in our suffering, as long as it provided them with a opportunity to looked on as a "major city," as if the entire region was somehow afflicted with a Napoleonic complex grasping for relevancy.
I apologize if I come off rude, but it's painful time for me to relive. A time in my life where there were some enjoying that a historic world renowned city laid in ruins.
I'll get off the soapbox now. Sorry to interrupt the love-fest. Go Heat?
# 7
Skyliner80 @ Jun 11
I thought OKC would actually have a new logo to replace that generic "OKC" eye-sore by now.
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But my hat goes off to the OKC front office, coaching staff, and players. They built a solid/young core around Durant. Brought in a coach that knew how to relate to this young core and they took their time to build this franchise the right way.