The NBA is alive and well in Oklahoma as the Thunder have had impressive wins over:
Los Angeles Lakers
Boston Celtics
Dallas Mavericks
Thunder Shaking Up the NBA:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdIMBgtt4VQ
NBA playoffs are about to begin. He are some impressive wins at the Ford Center:
Mavericks @ Thunder
http://www.truveo.com/mavericks-vs-thunder-fanatnews-17/id/893938468
Lakers @ Thunder
http://video.gamesfather.com/youtube/play/video_3jQWjgudNDE.html
In Major League Baseball, eight out of 30 teams make the playoffs.
In the National Football League, 12 out of 32 teams make the playoffs.
In the National Basketball League, 16 out of 30 teams make the playoffs.
I am not impressed the Oklahoma City Thunder basketball team made the playoffs. Win a couple of series and make the conference finals and maybe I will care.
Quote from: Laramie on April 05, 2010, 08:04:31 PM
The NBA is alive and well in Oklahoma City.....
The rest of Oklahoma hasn't forgotten the
snob er snub....
Conan is right.
I am sure I will get over the way the owners treated the rest of Oklahoma. Take our millions in tax dollars, then announce that the team would call themselves Oklahoma City.
Laramie, if you know anybody important with the team, pass on our comments.
Playing some regular season games in Tulsa would go a long way toward forgiveness.
Quote from: RecycleMichael on April 05, 2010, 08:13:48 PM
In Major League Baseball, eight out of 30 teams make the playoffs.
In the National Football League, 12 out of 32 teams make the playoffs.
In the National Basketball League, 16 out of 30 teams make the playoffs.
I am not impressed the Oklahoma City Thunder basketball team made the playoffs. Win a couple of series and make the conference finals and maybe I will care.
Sorry, but I am real impressed. Way to go Thunder! It's been fun observing their success.
KD is going to sign as their franchise player for over $84 mill....worth every penny.
They'd be nuts to play games here unless we give them the facility costs to have a game here. Maybe Tulsa's largest property owner could cover the cost since they get away with paying no taxes on their real estate.
If you aren't impressed by the Thunder this year, you aren't a fan of professional basketball, just some casual onlooker putting some politicized opinion on something out there to hear yourself speak.
Quote from: fotd on April 05, 2010, 11:00:57 PM
They'd be nuts to play games here unless we give them the facility costs to have a game here.
Very true. Following quote taken from this article: http://www.nba.com/2010/news/features/scott_howard_cooper/04/05/thunder/index.html
Quote from: espnThe embrace has been just as strong in return. In football country, with Oklahoma about 20 miles to the south, Oklahoma State some 65 miles to the north and the Dallas Cowboys very popular 200 miles away, the Thunder are averaging 17,978 fans in a building with a listed capacity of 18,203. Loud City, people here have nicknamed the Ford Center.
So they average pretty much the full capacity of their building. Only a moron would send the team to a different arena for certain games under those circumstances. I've seen people make the suggestion that they play some games in Tulsa before, and I've always had the same question: Is that something any team in the league does? Is Mark Cuban going to let the Mavs play a few games in Austin because they are butt-hurt? Do the Suns play in Flagstaff? Do the Cavs bounce down to Akron to make them feel better about themselves? No.
I agree with what Yt and FOTD just said, it is fun to watch them succeed. However, did any of those other teams depend on statewide tax support for their existence, then grumble slap the rest of their state? OKC and the Thunder have a mountain of pr debris they have to overcome for support in NE Oklahoma and Tulsa is just petty enough to miss out on the growth of the state's first pro team till our ego is assuaged.
Quote from: waterboy on April 06, 2010, 07:37:51 AM
However, did any of those other teams depend on statewide tax support for their existence, then grumble slap the rest of their state? OKC and the Thunder have a mountain of pr debris they have to overcome for support in NE Oklahoma and Tulsa is just petty enough to miss out on the growth of the state's first pro team till our ego is assuaged.
Not too hard. Take the money NE Oklahoma paid to get them to OKC and buy us something pretty.
Then stop making Tulsa a donor city to the rest of the state and allow us to buy something pretty.
I probably should get over it and should have never had the expectation in the first place that simply because our entire state population is less than that of some of the metro areas for other teams that it would have a state-wide identity. I simply felt if the owners wanted goodwill and acceptance of Thunder merchandise in the Tulsa area and around the state that branding the team "Oklahoma" instead of "Oklahoma City" would have been a no-brainer.
"Do the Suns play in Flagstaff?"
Well, not Flagstaff, but we did play Golden State outdoors in Palm Springs, Philly in Monterey Mexico, and Portland in Vancouver BC. Yes these were pre season games, but still not played on either teams home court. It's intersting that the Thunder have done well, and I think ithas to do with the change of venue. The AZ Cardinals were an abissmal team until they moved into their new stadium. I wonder if any one has done a study on moving a pro team to a new venue, if they improved how long it took, or if they were on the upswing how long before it slumped?
Quote from: dbacks fan on April 06, 2010, 05:02:58 PM
"Do the Suns play in Flagstaff?"
Well, not Flagstaff, but we did play Golden State outdoors in Palm Springs, Philly in Monterey Mexico, and Portland in Vancouver BC. Yes these were pre season games, but still not played on either teams home court. It's intersting that the Thunder have done well, and I think ithas to do with the change of venue. The AZ Cardinals were an abissmal team until they moved into their new stadium. I wonder if any one has done a study on moving a pro team to a new venue, if they improved how long it took, or if they were on the upswing how long before it slumped?
Thunder do play a preseason game in Tulsa every year already. If I recall, the one this year was poorly attended.
Quote from: YoungTulsan on April 07, 2010, 03:48:20 PM
Thunder do play a preseason game in Tulsa every year already. If I recall, the one this year was poorly attended.
Well sure, if they'd held off on the posters with "OKLAHOMA
CITY THUNDER...because you suck, Tulsa" maybe more of us would've gone.
Just kidding, they took them down.
Quote from: YoungTulsan on April 07, 2010, 03:48:20 PM
Thunder do play a preseason game in Tulsa every year already. If I recall, the one this year was poorly attended.
Yes. They played a preseason game in Tulsa last year. The announced attendance was 10,427.
Of course, in the spirit of the Thunder snubbing their nose at Tulsa, they scheduled it on the same night as the University of Tulsa's nationally televised ESPN home game against Boise State. By the way, TU had 30,000 attend their game that night.
Quote from: RecycleMichael on April 05, 2010, 09:27:35 PM
Conan is right.
I am sure I will get over the way the owners treated the rest of Oklahoma. Take our millions in tax dollars, then announce that the team would call themselves Oklahoma City.
Laramie, if you know anybody important with the team, pass on our comments.
Playing some regular season games in Tulsa would go a long way toward forgiveness.
I have always been in favor of playing some regular season games in Tulsa. The whole state needs to get behind this team. This is Oklahoma! The Thunder are Oklahoma!
I will pass this information along.
Ford Center is home...it's an hour drive. Work it out. Tulsa would not be a home court advantage.
Go Thunder....they're good and good for Oklahoma.
Quit whining.
ESPN NBA 2010 Attendance:
We are averaging 17,995 with one home game remaining.
2009-2010 NBA Attendance - National Basketball Association - ESPN (http://espn.go.com/nba/attendance)
With the economy beginning to take its toll on the Oklahoma City area economy, I think it's great that a market the size of Oklahoma City's continues to support the NBA.
Average attendance of OKC's NBA experiences:
Hopefully we will eclipse the 18,000 mark or inch near it when we play Memphis in our finale:
2010 17,995 Oklahoma City Thunder (attendance in process)
2009 18,693 Oklahoma City Thunder
2008 No NBA franchise
2007 17,833 New Orleans-Oklahoma City Hornets
2006 18,168 New Orleans-Oklahoma City Hornets
Who would have thought that the NBA could be successful in Oklahoma City when we barely averaged 17,000 when OSU and OU played in the All College Christmas Classic and our experience in the CBA saw a best year of 5,000 at the Myriad during the Calvary's existence.
Oklahoma has come a long way in a short period of time. Thunder fans are to be commended!
Congrats to the Thunder! To be down two games and come back to win on your home court and to be a second season team and to defeat the Lakers! (I know that they are the former Seatle Sonics, might have been a good name if they could have used it since they are based in OKC the home to Sonic Drive In's) I think that everyone in the state should forget the Tulsa/OKC fued, and get behind the Thunder because the state is getting national attention. Tulsa and OKC for the last 40 years have been wanting a pro sports team in the state, wether it was NBA, NHL, MLB, or NFL. Oklahoma has wanted to be on the map with a pro team that is in the national spotlight. You have one now, so you should support it, wether you are from Guymon, Disney, Altus, Shideler, Slapout, Lawton, Vanita or Erick. You have what you have wanted, forget all the other crap, and enjoy the fact that Oklahoma has a true pro team!
8)
Quote from: dbacks fan on April 22, 2010, 11:43:17 PM
Congrats to the Thunder! To be down two games and come back to win on your home court and to be a second season team and to defeat the Lakers! (I know that they are the former Seatle Sonics, might have been a good name if they could have used it since they are based in OKC the home to Sonic Drive In's) I think that everyone in the state should forget the Tulsa/OKC fued, and get behind the Thunder because the state is getting national attention. Tulsa and OKC for the last 40 years have been wanting a pro sports team in the state, wether it was NBA, NHL, MLB, or NFL. Oklahoma has wanted to be on the map with a pro team that is in the national spotlight. You have one now, so you should support it, wether you are from Guymon, Disney, Altus, Shideler, Slapout, Lawton, Vanita or Erick. You have what you have wanted, forget all the other crap, and enjoy the fact that Oklahoma has a true pro team!
8)
My answer?
Nope.
I'm guessin' I'm not the only one. Live here and see how that all went down and you'll know what I mean. It's the tax breaks at the state level at the expense probably of other worthy businesses.
Won't have anyone dictating to me how I should feel about that smile-hole down I-44...I was there enough to know how I feel about it.
Quote from: Hoss on April 23, 2010, 12:51:15 AM
My answer?
Nope.
I'm guessin' I'm not the only one. Live here and see how that all went down and you'll know what I mean. It's the tax breaks at the state level at the expense probably of other worthy businesses.
Won't have anyone dictating to me how I should feel about that smile-hole down I-44...I was there enough to know how I feel about it.
Yes, I know how the tax breaks go. Whirlpool wants to build a new plant, Tulsa gives tax breaks to get it, construction goes to an out of state firm, and everyone rejoiced with the new jobs created after construction. Maybe that's part of the reason that I left Oklahoma, there is a want for things, but then people turn their nose's up after they get it. I was born in Tulsa in 1963, I moved out in 1998. I lived in ground zero over the battle of the development of the old MA-HU Mansion, because developers wanted to extend the road from where Whataburgeris at 26th and Memorial west into the residential neighborhood which was the street I lived on. I remember the battle between Eastland and Woodland Hills, and I know for a fact the reason that BA developed was because Ford decided to build the glass plant where they did. Gilcrease Hills was supposed to be the savior of downtown for residential living, but it was too late during the white flight/urban sprawl of the mid 70's. The Williams Center Forum was supposed to re-energize the downttown area with the mall and the hotel next to the green and the PAC in the late 70's. Main Mall with it's fountains and walkable space was to be another savior. From 1973 through the late 90's main mall became a gohst town after 6:00 in the evening. The only excitement in the Archer and Greenwood Distict in the early 80's was Francis Ford Coppola filming "Rumble Fish" and north of 244 in that area was drugs, prostitution, and death. Anybody remember the "club owner" found tied to a chair in his club at Haskell & Main when the building was on fire? And if you think that I am some interloper, I think that Chub killed the Mullendore's,
Roger Wheeler was killed by the Irish Hill Mob out of Boston at Southern Hills CC, and at the old Tulsa Oilers Baseball team in the old stadium, there was a trailer off to the right field line, that looked like a single wide, that had old tires on the roof, and in early 1992 I was on a flight from Tulsa to Phoenix, and ran into Hugh Finerty from the Fairgrounds, and when asked about hockey coming back to Tulsa, he said "Ray and I are working on something."
Fine, I will root for them. I still won't buy an OKC Thunder T-shirt, mouse pad, ball cap, baggy shorts, or bobblehead. And I do spend a lot of time in OKC these days, I'm still pissed they took state level tax money and couldn't see clear enough to call them the Oklahoma Thunder.
Go Lakers!!! (Former California resident here!)
Hehehehehehe
My husband is rooting for the Thunders as well and doesn't really care much about the Tulsa/OKC rivalry.
Quote from: dbacks fan on April 23, 2010, 02:49:11 AM
Yes, I know how the tax breaks go. Whirlpool wants to build a new plant, Tulsa gives tax breaks to get it, construction goes to an out of state firm, and everyone rejoiced with the new jobs created after construction. Maybe that's part of the reason that I left Oklahoma, there is a want for things, but then people turn their nose's up after they get it. I was born in Tulsa in 1963, I moved out in 1998. I lived in ground zero over the battle of the development of the old MA-HU Mansion, because developers wanted to extend the road from where Whataburgeris at 26th and Memorial west into the residential neighborhood which was the street I lived on. I remember the battle between Eastland and Woodland Hills, and I know for a fact the reason that BA developed was because Ford decided to build the glass plant where they did. Gilcrease Hills was supposed to be the savior of downtown for residential living, but it was too late during the white flight/urban sprawl of the mid 70's. The Williams Center Forum was supposed to re-energize the downttown area with the mall and the hotel next to the green and the PAC in the late 70's. Main Mall with it's fountains and walkable space was to be another savior. From 1973 through the late 90's main mall became a gohst town after 6:00 in the evening. The only excitement in the Archer and Greenwood Distict in the early 80's was Francis Ford Coppola filming "Rumble Fish" and north of 244 in that area was drugs, prostitution, and death. Anybody remember the "club owner" found tied to a chair in his club at Haskell & Main when the building was on fire? And if you think that I am some interloper, I think that Chub killed the Mullendore's,
Roger Wheeler was killed by the Irish Hill Mob out of Boston at Southern Hills CC, and at the old Tulsa Oilers Baseball team in the old stadium, there was a trailer off to the right field line, that looked like a single wide, that had old tires on the roof, and in early 1992 I was on a flight from Tulsa to Phoenix, and ran into Hugh Finerty from the Fairgrounds, and when asked about hockey coming back to Tulsa, he said "Roy and I are working on something."
MORE! I recall the ambiance of walking into Owen Field with the stench of whiskey and cigars.....before it became a capitalist enterprise.
Great crowd-- great game!
After losing my voice, I felt as though I was losing my hearing:
Video highlight of Lakers vs. Thunder at the Ford Center (aka Thunderdome).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9N7ZwdSCMl8
This was unquestionably the loudest indoor (arena) sporting event I have ever attended.
Quote from: enits on April 23, 2010, 09:47:34 AM
Go Lakers!!! (Former California resident here!)
Hehehehehehe
My husband is rooting for the Thunders as well and doesn't really care much about the Tulsa/OKC rivalry.
What rivalry? Have you actually been to OKC much?
Quote from: Laramie on April 23, 2010, 01:36:11 PM
Great crowd-- great game!
After losing my voice, I felt as though I was losing my hearing:
Video highlight of Lakers vs. Thunder at the Ford Center (aka Thunderdome).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9N7ZwdSCMl8
This was unquestionably the loudest indoor (arena) sporting event I have ever attended.
When I attended Celtic games in the early 70's the NBA was all about the game. I went to OKC to a game and was horrified by the lame multi media and outlandish noise.
THUNDER UP!
Quote from: RecycleMichael on April 05, 2010, 09:27:35 PM
Conan is right.
I am sure I will get over the way the owners treated the rest of Oklahoma. Take our millions in tax dollars, then announce that the team would call themselves Oklahoma City.
Do you care to inform everyone what is this "our millions in tax dollars" that the state is helping OKC Thunder? ???
The last I recall, the Thunder asked for a tax EXEMPTION on the top portion of player salaries. In other words, there was a cap set on the upper limit of income tax that players would need to pay. There wasn't any money from the state coffers used to get the team and there is actually more money being put into the state by the players being here (just not as much as it could have been without the exemption).
What did Tulsa pay to get the Thunder?
I recall that Clay Bennett and CO from OKLAHOMA CITY paid over $400 million to purchase the franchise, litigate against the city of Seattle, and move the damn team to OKC. I also recall OKC taxpayers building the Ford Center (that you all call a 'dump") and OKC taxpayers expanding it and building a practice facility.
What is this "millions in tax dollars" that you all keep whining about? ???
And truth be told - just so you know, the mayor of OKC nor Stern have a say so on the name of the team - it is the owners of the team who name it, market it, and pay salaries. Last I saw, ALL of the ownership group was from OKC. Where was Tulsa on this? ???
Again - can someone please offer up tangible evidence to show Tulsa or the rest of the state had ANYTHING to do with the NBA coming to OKC (other than being 'words on a slideshow for the relocation committee")?
Why do you guys always wine and grumble about everything, yet dont EVER want to step up. ...
Quote from: RecycleMichael on April 05, 2010, 09:27:35 PMPlaying some regular season games in Tulsa would go a long way toward forgiveness.
WHAT? ???
Dont count on getting a regular season game (it would be poorly attended anyways) - since "Forgiveness" as you put it, was given when AGAIN - Oklahoma City businessmen, went and bought Tulsa a WNBA team AND a D-League team. ...
What did Tulsa do? Where was Tulsa on this? ???
Where is Tulsa and all of this 'support' or 'millions of tax dollars' you keep talking about? How is Tulsa paying for any of this?
Stop whining about paying for this or that (whnen you aint) and go enjoy the freaking team.
Quote from: road runner on April 24, 2010, 01:39:55 PM
Do you care to inform everyone what is this "our millions in tax dollars" that the state is helping OKC Thunder? ???
The last I recall, the Thunder asked for a tax EXEMPTION on the top portion of player salaries. In other words, there was a cap set on the upper limit of income tax that players would need to pay. There wasn't any money from the state coffers used to get the team and there is actually more money being put into the state by the players being here (just not as much as it could have been without the exemption).
What did Tulsa pay to get the Thunder?
I recall that Clay Bennett and CO from OKLAHOMA CITY paid over $400 million to purchase the franchise, litigate against the city of Seattle, and move the damn team to OKC. I also recall OKC taxpayers building the Ford Center (that you all call a 'dump") and OKC taxpayers expanding it and building a practice facility.
What is this "millions in tax dollars" that you all keep whining about? ???
And truth be told - just so you know, the mayor of OKC nor Stern have a say so on the name of the team - it is the owners of the team who name it, market it, and pay salaries. Last I saw, ALL of the ownership group was from OKC. Where was Tulsa on this? ???
Again - can someone please offer up tangible evidence to show Tulsa or the rest of the state had ANYTHING to do with the NBA coming to OKC (other than being 'words on a slideshow for the relocation committee")?
Why do you guys always wine and grumble about everything, yet dont EVER want to step up. ...
WHAT? ???
Dont count on getting a regular season game (it would be poorly attended anyways) - since "Forgiveness" as you put it, was given when AGAIN - Oklahoma City businessmen, went and bought Tulsa a WNBA team AND a D-League team. ...
What did Tulsa do? Where was Tulsa on this? ???
Where is Tulsa and all of this 'support' or 'millions of tax dollars' you keep talking about? How is Tulsa paying for any of this?
Stop whining about paying for this or that (whnen you aint) and go enjoy the freaking team.
Then don't expect Tulsa to support your crappy team. OKC and it's politicians and movers/shakers for all I care can go piss off.
Go Lakers...
Oh, and Tulsa is paying for this indirectly with state sponsored tax breaks that were supposed to not be for entertainment businesses. Guess what? Bennett and the Thunder got an exemption for that. Stealing from poor to line the pockets of the rich.
just stating facts, Hoss.
No need to get pissed again. Tulsa isn't paying for anything, those tax breaks just mean the state isn't collecting as much as it could.
You do know that OKC has more people than Tulsa, right? So Im sure OKC pays more for Oklahoma in taxes than Tulsa does. ...
And the Thunder isn't crappy, they have a good chance at upsetting the Lakers. It should be 2-1 Thunder already, but the young team didn't handle it well on game 2.
Go Thunder.
Quote from: road runner on April 24, 2010, 02:39:32 PM
just stating facts, Hoss.
No need to get pissed again.
And the Thunder isn't crappy, they have a good chance at upsetting the Lakers. It should be 2-1 Thunder already, but the young team didn't handle it well on game 2.
Go Thunder.
They're not exactly the class of the league at the 8 seed.
Lakers in 6.
seed doesn't mean anything. did you look at the west?
seeds 2-8 were all like mostly tied, with all of them at 50 or 52 wins.
There's no doubt the Thunder is the scariest team in the league, and also no doubt the Lakers were very afraid when they drew the Thunder.
You may be right that the Lakers take it, but it will not be in 6 - IF they even take it. Watch the game on tv and tell me that team doesn't excite you. ...
Quote from: road runner on April 24, 2010, 02:46:11 PM
seed doesn't mean anything. did you look at the west?
seeds 2-8 were all like mostly tied, with all of them at 50 or 52 wins.
There's no doubt the Thunder is the scariest team in the league, and also no doubt the Lakers were very afraid when they drew the Thunder.
You may be right that the Lakers take it, but it will not be in 6 - IF they even take it. Watch the game on tv and tell me that team doesn't excite you. ...
It excites OKC fans. Not me.
Quote from: road runner on April 24, 2010, 02:39:32 PM
Tulsa isn't paying for anything, those tax breaks just mean the state isn't collecting as much as it could.
Yes. I understand.
Do you understand that the state just cut every state department budget by 10%? Do you understand that every school district in the state is having to fire teachers because of lack of state revenue?
The tax breaks given to your basketball team (not mine) has dramatically hurt my child's education.
You have fouled out. Leave the forum.
Quote from: RecycleMichael on April 24, 2010, 04:19:05 PM
Yes. I understand.
Do you understand that the state just cut every state department budget by 10%? Do you understand that every school district in the state is having to fire teachers because of lack of state revenue?
The tax breaks given to your basketball team (not mine) has dramatically hurt my child's education.
You have fouled out. Leave the forum.
Michael, you sound like Boss Hog.
Don't scapegoat the Thunder, vote the politicians out of office who have hurt public education.
Thunder Up! 8:30.
Great game tonight! Go Thunder....beat the Lakers at Home! See ya Fryday back at FORD CENTER! maybe we will be up 3-2....
The Oklahoma City Thunder are the real deal! This is the best athletic team in the history of pro sports in OKlahoma and we have a bunch of sad whiners here in TULSA. Get real...and get with it!
Quote from: fotd on April 25, 2010, 12:30:17 AM
Great game tonight! Go Thunder....beat the Lakers at Home! See ya Fryday back at FORD CENTER! maybe we will be up 3-2....
The Oklahoma City Thunder are the real deal! This is the best athletic team in the history of pro sports in OKlahoma and we have a bunch of sad whiners here in TULSA. Get real...and get with it!
Have fun; I won't root for them.
Quote from: RecycleMichael on April 24, 2010, 04:19:05 PM
Yes. I understand.
Do you understand that the state just cut every state department budget by 10%? Do you understand that every school district in the state is having to fire teachers because of lack of state revenue?
The tax breaks given to your basketball team (not mine) has dramatically hurt my child's education.
You have fouled out. Leave the forum.
One presumes you are also boycotting Whirlpool and all other companies that are "dramatically hurt[ing your] child's education" in precisely the same way... (which is to say, not at all)
Quote from: Oil Capital on April 25, 2010, 09:12:47 AM
One presumes you are also boycotting Whirlpool and all other companies that are "dramatically hurt[ing your] child's education" in precisely the same way... (which is to say, not at all)
Apples and oranges.
In the thread that got pared back, I noted that the Thunder/Clay Bennett bypassed the restrictions on entertainment companies getting the tax breaks. Keep in mind how front-loaded the salaries of NBA players are compared to the salaries of the factory workers at Whirlpool.
Not a valid comparison. Sorry.
Nonetheless, it is a good series and the Thunder are playing well. Its fun and its good for our image outside the state. If you like sports, this is what its about. Might as well enjoy it.
Okay, if I was an OKC taxpayer, I would have INSISTED the team be called "Oklahoma City" due to the overwhelming amount of local taxpayer money spent on it. I have grievances against Mayor Mick and the local pols on the other side of the turnpike... but this isn't one of them. Extending the quality jobs law to the NBA team made sense.... unless you'd rather be rooting for the Kansas City Thunder... ;D
http://wwwtmrcom.blogspot.com/2008/04/benge-praises-nba-quality-jobs-act-bill.html
QuoteThe change is part of a requested financial package the team needed to make the move to Oklahoma. The NBA relocation committee is expected to vote Friday on a request to move the SuperSonics basketball team from Seattle to Oklahoma City.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Senate Co-President Pro Tem Glenn Coffee said, "The State of Oklahoma has done its part to help attract an NBA franchise to Oklahoma. Landing a major league sports team will provide an economic benefit to the entire state, and will put Oklahoma on the map as a 'major league' state." Coffee, R-Oklahoma City, author of SB 1819, added, "This is fabulous news for the people of Oklahoma."
Coffee noted that the state budget won't be impacted because the rebates provided for in this bill would come from funds that the state wouldn't receive at all if the NBA doesn't locate a team here.
The bill passed the House with a vote of 67-32 today and will now go to the governor for his signature.
Some Tulsans really need to chill out over the state money-- unfortunately par for the course for NBA deals..... if the Thunder hadn't come to OKC, the BOk Center would have been in direct competition with the Ford Center for dozens of dates during the winter/spring.... never mind the fact that the WNBA and Nolan Richardson wouldn't be in Tulsa either.... just sayin'
Go Thunder!
Quote from: JeffM on April 25, 2010, 11:11:57 AM
Okay, if I was an OKC taxpayer, I would have INSISTED the team be called "Oklahoma City" due to the overwhelming amount of local taxpayer money spent on it. I have grievances against Mayor Mick and the local pols on the other side of the turnpike... but this isn't one of them. Extending the quality jobs law to the NBA team made sense.... unless you'd rather be rooting for the Kansas City Thunder... ;D
http://wwwtmrcom.blogspot.com/2008/04/benge-praises-nba-quality-jobs-act-bill.html
Some Tulsans really need to chill out over the state money-- unfortunately par for the course for NBA deals..... if the Thunder hadn't come to OKC, then the WNBA and Nolan Richardson wouldn't be in Tulsa either.... just sayin'
Go Thunder!
And if the Thunder hadn't have come to Oklahoma...oh, sorry, I mean OKC, then other businesses would have taken their place with the tax break. Again, saying one is better than 10 others doesn't really hold muster.
And I really don't care for the WNBA either.
And let 'em be called the KC Thunder. Wouldn't have bothered me a bit.
But, then again, that's just my opinion.
Quote from: fotd on April 23, 2010, 02:11:00 PM
When I attended Celtic games in the early 70's the NBA was all about the game. I went to OKC to a game and was horrified by the lame multi media and outlandish noise.
THUNDER UP!
Great game last night-- Lakers got thumped... OKC's second year of NBA..... reminds me of Tulsa's second year of the NASL back in 1979 when they snuck into the playoffs, and beat Minnesota in round one..... then met the NY Cosmos for the first time at Skelly Stadium...... Jack Brand had a monster game in goal for Tulsa, shutout the mighty Cosmos 3-0... 26,011 fans stormed the field and carried Jack Brand on their shoulders.... the following Wed night, the Cosmos won the rematch 3-0 at Giants Stadium in front 76,031 fans... still one of the biggest crowds to ever watch pro soccer in North America.
OKC versus the Lakers.... whodathunkit?
New history being made.
***Yes, Hoss, you're entitled to your opinion, several of which are on this thread.... we got the memo. I believe native Tulsans have an anti-OKC gene-- or maybe a microchip implanted at birth from St Johns? And OKC? Well, they still have The Daily Oklahoman to do all their thinking for them... and that's my opinion.
Quote from: JeffM on April 25, 2010, 04:26:26 PM
Great game last night-- Lakers got thumped... OKC's second year of NBA..... reminds me of Tulsa's second year of the NASL back in 1979 when they snuck into the playoffs, and beat Minnesota in round one..... then met the NY Cosmos for the first time at Skelly Stadium...... Jack Brand had a monster game in goal for Tulsa, shutout the mighty Cosmos 3-0... 26,011 fans stormed the field and carried Jack Brand on their shoulders.... the following Wed night, the Cosmos won the rematch 3-0 at Giants Stadium in front 76,031 fans... still one of the biggest crowds to ever watch pro soccer in North America.
OKC versus the Lakers.... whodathunkit?
New history being made.
***Yes, Hoss, you're entitled to your opinion, several of which are on this thread.... we got the memo. I believe native Tulsans have an anti-OKC gene-- or maybe a microchip implanted at birth from St Johns? And OKC? Well, they still have The Daily Oklahoman to do all their thinking for them... and that's my opinion.
Has nothing to do with an anti-OKC gene, Jeff. For me, anyway, it's two factors; one of which is shared by MANY on this forum.
1. OKC sucking at the teat of the state in gross disproportion to her counterpart up Interstate 44 (this is the shared factor).
2. My forced visits twice-monthly there for three years plus.
The second one formed my base opinion LONG before the first. That and I still went down there for Oiler road games up until the first season the Ford Center was opened. Wasn't that impressed.
But, unlike a lot on the forum (and no offense to any of those in this category) I lived in a Tier 1 city for three years (Houston). I got used to it.
I don't hate OKC. I have been to the Capitol many times, my kids love the Zoo and the Ampitheater, and I have spent many a day at Remington Park. One of my favorite hotels, the Skirvin, is in OKC. We have gone to many a baseball game at the Bricktown ballpark and we stay in north OKC for my kids soccer tournaments.
I just don't like the way the Thunder came to Oklahoma. I thought the tax breaks were done at at bad time and I thought the Ford Center was a dump. I didn't appreciate the exhibition game they played in Tulsa the same night as TU scheduled the Boise State game.
I have been to many an NBA game and have other teams I cheer for. I haven't been given any reason to cheer for the Thunder just because they play a hundred miles down the turnpike.
They win a couple of playoff series this year and Kevin Durant wins a couple of MVPs the next few years and I might think differently. But don't tell me it will be good for Tulsa. I don't think the Phillies winning the World Series last year did anything for Pittsburgh.
I like that face that some of you are cool with the fact that if my business made a crap load of money. That I should have to pay taxes, but the basketball team should be exempted. If the tax is only for everybody that earns that income range then get rid of it for everybody.
It's shameful how many Tulsan's are disrespectful of the fine things that bring major attention to our state. Saturday night's game brought more attention to our state than anything in history except tragedies and goofy politicians and Bob Stoopids.
I went out with some friends Saturday to drink beer and watch the game. The first bar refused to turn the game on so we left laughing about what a punk town Tulsa is. When we got to a sports bar, the majority there were cheering on kick boxing. We found our niche with several NBA fans but were sorely outnumbered by hicks.
I hope the Thunder wins Tuesday. The Lakers really fear OKC. The series s/b 3-1 as the Thunder barely lost game 2. If the Thunder win Tuesday, it will be fun to see how many fans expose themselves here in big Muskogee. This is great exposure for our state and you nay sayers need to get off your arrogant high horses. When I tell my peeps in OKC about this bad attitude of yours they just laugh. Of course, they laugh that Tulsa seems to be losing their mojo (quality) to lame attempts at becoming a big city too.
THUNDER UP!!!!!!!
Quote from: Trogdor on April 26, 2010, 10:11:53 AM
I like that face that some of you are cool with the fact that if my business made a crap load of money. That I should have to pay taxes, but the basketball team should be exempted. If the tax is only for everybody that earns that income range then get rid of it for everybody.
I think I get where you are coming from.
Usually that kind of tax charity is reserved for a tourist draw into a state. How many people are coming from out of state to see the Thunder play?
Quote from: fotd on April 26, 2010, 10:30:46 AM
It's shameful how many Tulsan's are disrespectful of the fine things that bring major attention to our state. Saturday night's game brought more attention to our state than anything in history except tragedies and goofy politicians and Bob Stoopids.
I went out with some friends Saturday to drink beer and watch the game. The first bar refused to turn the game on so we left laughing about what a punk town Tulsa is. When we got to a sports bar, the majority there were cheering on kick boxing. We found our niche with several NBA fans but were sorely outnumbered by hicks.
I hope the Thunder wins Tuesday. The Lakers really fear OKC. The series s/b 3-1 as the Thunder barely lost game 2. If the Thunder win Tuesday, it will be fun to see how many fans expose themselves here in big Muskogee. This is great exposure for our state and you nay sayers need to get off your arrogant high horses. When I tell my peeps in OKC about this bad attitude of yours they just laugh. Of course, they laugh that Tulsa seems to be losing their mojo (quality) to lame attempts at becoming a big city too.
THUNDER UP!!!!!!!
Interesting, coming from one of the most disrespectful people of anything to do with "OK Shitty".
You don't think OU's national championships brought great attention to the state?
Quote from: Conan71 on April 26, 2010, 11:50:05 AM
Interesting, coming from one of the most disrespectful people of anything to do with "OK Shitty".
You don't think OU's national championships brought great attention to the state?
Maybe....but not like the NBA....much bigger numbers and fans than college pro. Plus, there are major cities who could care less about the Sooners. And out of state people don't have many ducats for Thunder. When you have two major transportation lanes going to your city, there tends to be enough draw from the entire state area.
I will continue to hammer on OKshitty when the thread spins and the post is set.
THUNDER UP!
Quote from: fotd on April 26, 2010, 12:09:09 PM
Maybe....but not like the NBA....much bigger numbers and fans than college pro. Plus, there are major cities who could care less about the Sooners. And out of state people don't have many ducats for Thunder. When you have two major transportation lanes going to your city, there tends to be enough draw from the entire state area.
I will continue to hammer on OKshitty when the thread spins and the post is set.
THUNDER UP!
Hmm...90,000 full house seats at Memorial Stadium vs 20,000 at the Ford.
Your math is flawed. Go hit the bong again.
Quote from: Hoss on April 26, 2010, 12:15:50 PM
Hmm...90,000 full house seats at Memorial Stadium vs 20,000 at the Ford.
Your math is flawed. Go hit the bong again.
No, your math is flawed. 6 home games for the Sooners and 60 for the Ford?
You don't know math. If you did, you'd realize the visibility nightly for many months in huge metropolitan communities reaches much furthur than to the teatards, oilies, and drunks down to Norman.
THUNDER UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!BEAT THE LAKERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
OU vs. Florida, BCS championship game did a 15.8 share on the Nielsen ratings.
2009 NBA championship series averaged 8.4, the final game had an 8.0 share.
http://blog.nielsen.com/nielsenwire/media_entertainment/sports-wrap-college-football-bowls-over-audiences/
National visibility? Who and how many are watching? That's a fair yardstick as far as notoriety created. Someone's forgetting to take their reality pills lately.
Quote from: fotd on April 26, 2010, 12:28:32 PM
No, your math is flawed. 6 home games for the Sooners and 60 for the Ford?
You don't know math. If you did, you'd realize the visibility nightly for many months in huge metropolitan communities reaches much furthur than to the teatards, oilies, and drunks down to Norman.
THUNDER UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!BEAT THE LAKERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Last I checked, NBA had 82 games in a season. Math (obviously not your strong suit) dictates that would be 41 home games.
Oh...
Go Lakers.
I stand corrected on home games....still, more turnstiles than Owen Stadium.
Do the math.
THUNDER UP!!!!!!!!BEAT THE LAKERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Don't get me wrong. I am not cheering against the Thunder. I am also not cheering for them at this point either.
Sixteen NBA teams made the playoffs. The Thunder haven't won a road game in the playoffs and two of the next three are in L.A.
I read that 83% of NBA teams that win game five of a seven game series go on to win the series. Can the Thunder win in L.A.?
Quote from: fotd on April 26, 2010, 12:58:35 PM
I stand corrected on home games....still, more turnstiles than Owen Stadium.
Do the math.
THUNDER UP!!!!!!!!BEAT THE LAKERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
...and that increases our NATIONAL exposure, how?
Quote from: fotd on April 26, 2010, 10:30:46 AM
Saturday night's game brought more attention to our state than anything in history except tragedies and goofy politicians and Bob Stoopids.
That's one of the dumbest things you've ever written, and that's saying something.
You're saying that a first-round playoff series is giving Oklahoma more major attention than Will Rogers did?
More than "Oklahoma!" the musical (and movie)?
Or OU's seven national championships in football?
Or Sam Bradford winning the Heisman Trophy? Or him being the No. 1 pick in the NFL, the most popular sport in America?
C'mon. ::)
(Intellectual Elite???!!! :D)
Quote from: rwarn17588 on April 26, 2010, 10:52:22 PM
That's one of the dumbest things you've ever written, and that's saying something.
You're saying that a first-round playoff series is giving Oklahoma more major attention than Will Rogers did?
More than "Oklahoma!" the musical (and movie)?
Or OU's seven national championships in football?
Or Sam Bradford winning the Heisman Trophy? Or him being the No. 1 pick in the NFL, the most popular sport in America?
C'mon. ::)
(Intellectual Elite???!!! :D)
You forgot Outsiders
Garth Brooks, Carrie Underwood, Leon Russell etc,etc,etc.
And they are from right here in Green Country.
fotd. A bad analogy indeed.
Taken out of context, yes. But Saturday night there was nothing better for our state recognition.
THUNDER UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!BEAT THE LAKERS!!!!!!
Quote from: fotd on April 27, 2010, 03:13:34 PM
Taken out of context, yes. But Saturday night there was nothing better for our state recognition.
Taken out of context, how?
You said: "Saturday night's game brought more attention to our state than anything in history except tragedies and goofy politicians and Bob Stoopids."
The key portion is "than anything in history." There are plenty of obvious examples in that have brought more attention to Oklahoma in the past century.
And you're talking about a first-round playoff game that's not close to being the decider. And we're still weeks away from the NBA finals.
You left yourself with no wiggle room for your hyperbole.
I think you are talking to a ghost RW. Even when he was wrong it was someone else taking him out of context. What a megalomaniac.
Quote from: Hoss on April 25, 2010, 09:17:20 AM
Apples and oranges.
In the thread that got pared back, I noted that the Thunder/Clay Bennett bypassed the restrictions on entertainment companies getting the tax breaks. Keep in mind how front-loaded the salaries of NBA players are compared to the salaries of the factory workers at Whirlpool.
Not a valid comparison. Sorry.
Maybe this is a more valid comparison.....
Final agreement reached for Cerner-Wizards development in WyCo http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1262074&highlight=tulsa
QuoteThe Kansas Department of Commerce has sweetened the incentive pot — without increasing its volume — in an attempt to bring a new Kansas City Wizards stadium and a 4,000-job Cerner Corp. office complex to the Village West retail district in Kansas City, Kan.
In a letter to the Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City, Kan. on Tuesday, the Commerce Department said it had agreed to pay all $48.5 million worth of IMPACT (Investments in Major Projects and Comprehensive Training) incentives to Cerner at the front end of its proposed project. Normally, IMPACT dollars are distributed in installments during the lifetime of a project.
The news comes nearly two months after Kansas offered the developers of the $400 million-plus Wizards/Cerner project a $229.5 million incentive package, including $147 million in sales tax revenue bonds and $85 million in state tax credits and cash incentives. The $85 million included the IMPACT financing.
The developers, who have continually stressed a desire to break ground on the Wizards stadium by year's end, did not respond immediately to the sweetened IMPACT offer. And Kansas City, Mo., officials are continuing to say that the previously proposed site of the stadium and offices, the former Bannister Mall area, is still in the game via incentive discussions taking place on the Missouri side.
Wonder what reactions they got in Wichita upon hearing the news.... ;)
PGA golf at Southern Hills has done more.......
Quote from: Breadburner on April 28, 2010, 06:22:38 PM
PGA golf at Southern Hills has done more.......
BB don't participate in another fotd reach-around
Quote from: Conan71 on April 28, 2010, 11:04:02 PM
BB don't participate in another fotd reach-around
+1 I read you are in training, but a Marshall's for you.
TONIGHT IS THE BIGGEST NIGHT IN SPORTS HISTORY HERE IN OKLAHOMA.....
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHHHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!
THUNDER UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ok, that's the first basketball game I've watched in 20 years.
I watched until half-time and then decided I couldn't take it any longer. I couldn't watch them get beat to a pulp after all the hope and hype. My buddy said, "hey don't go, these things get close in the 4th quarter." I didn't believe him, woke up this morning and heard the news in the shower.
I guess I'm going to have to become a BB fan now!
Thunder Up!
The Thunder are going to give me a heart attack. The way I deal with first half games like they play is to switch to another channel and give them about ten minutes and come back and check the score.
A couple of back and forths on the court and if they are still shooting like crap. A quick b!tch and flip and then repeat.
Last nights first half was brutal. They start cold and have to warm up to the game. I just couldnt take Tony Parker having 17 points so quick with the Thunder throwing bricks.
But as most Sooners. I am very proud of what they have done in four short years. I hope they can keep this team together. We have something very special.
Quote from: DolfanBob on June 07, 2012, 08:29:06 AM
The Thunder are going to give me a heart attack. The way I deal with first half games like they play is to switch to another channel and give them about ten minutes and come back and check the score.
A couple of back and forths on the court and if they are still shooting like crap. A quick b!tch and flip and then repeat.
Last nights first half was brutal. They start cold and have to warm up to the game. I just couldnt take Tony Parker having 17 points so quick with the Thunder throwing bricks.
But as most Sooners. I am very proud of what they have done in four short years. I hope they can keep this team together. We have something very special.
I just have to get used to the strange round ball.
(http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/554424_3373408022605_1323409996_n.jpg)
Didn't Recycle comment the other day they hadn't made it to the finals?
In the finals in four years, that's pretty darn impressive.
Gaspar. Is it the ones with laces, dimples, yellow or played with the feet?
Quote from: DolfanBob on June 07, 2012, 09:10:49 AM
Gaspar. Is it the ones with laces, dimples, yellow or played with the feet?
Seems to big to hit with a bat or a 9 iron?!
And remember how bad they were before they fired Carlissimo.
Quote from: Conan71 on June 07, 2012, 09:02:10 AM
Didn't Recycle comment the other day they hadn't made it to the finals?
In the finals in four years, that's pretty darn impressive.
Quote from: Conan71 on June 07, 2012, 09:02:10 AM
Didn't Recycle comment the other day they hadn't made it to the finals?
In the finals in four years, that's pretty darn impressive.
TNF's bloviate environmental (whacko) ??? What's he know about sports? Probably hasn't engaged in athleticism since he was a pup.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/07/sports/basketball/thunder-beat-spurs-to-reach-nba-finals.html?_r=2&ref=sports
Whatever clown. I know more about sports than you. Any time, anywhere, idiot.
My comment was correct when I made it. They hadn't made it to the finals until last night.
Quote from: RecycleMichael on June 07, 2012, 02:20:28 PM
Whatever clown. I know more about sports than you. Any time, anywhere, idiot.
My comment was correct when I made it. They hadn't made it to the finals until last night.
Left wing...
(https://encrypted-tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcR9lkYAmDCs7ULeSri_hE5ggZOeEg9GwrDnSbcw8_UaJo1e8ki-Og)
Quote from: Conan71 on April 06, 2010, 09:23:00 AM
I probably should get over it and should have never had the expectation in the first place that simply because our entire state population is less than that of some of the metro areas for other teams that it would have a state-wide identity. I simply felt if the owners wanted goodwill and acceptance of Thunder merchandise in the Tulsa area and around the state that branding the team "Oklahoma" instead of "Oklahoma City" would have been a no-brainer.
I wrote about this very thing today. Why This Okie Doesn't Support the OKC Thunder (http://djeffries.com/why-this-okie-doesnt-support-the-okc-thunder/)
Quote from: dsjeffries on June 07, 2012, 03:05:21 PM
I wrote about this very thing today. Why This Okie Doesn't Support the OKC Thunder (http://djeffries.com/why-this-okie-doesnt-support-the-okc-thunder/)
I guess you better take your ball and go on home? :D
Quote from: dsjeffries on June 07, 2012, 03:05:21 PM
I wrote about this very thing today. Why This Okie Doesn't Support the OKC Thunder (http://djeffries.com/why-this-okie-doesnt-support-the-okc-thunder/)
I'd imagine a large quantity of people whooping it up for the Thunder didn't even know they came from Seattle.
Quote from: dsjeffries on June 07, 2012, 03:05:21 PM
I wrote about this very thing today. Why This Okie Doesn't Support the OKC Thunder (http://djeffries.com/why-this-okie-doesnt-support-the-okc-thunder/)
Uh oh. Do you have the Okie in you?
Quote from: dsjeffries on June 07, 2012, 03:05:21 PM
I wrote about this very thing today. Why This Okie Doesn't Support the OKC Thunder (http://djeffries.com/why-this-okie-doesnt-support-the-okc-thunder/)
That kind of reminds me of the mentality of alot of people in OK for the last hundred years. You want what someone else has to the point that you belittle them for having it, and saying that it's not worth having. Should be the state motto, "I want what you got so bad I'm going to tell you how bad what you have is"
Quote from: Townsend on June 07, 2012, 03:23:40 PM
I'd imagine a large quantity of people whooping it up for the Thunder didn't even know they came from Seattle.
Yes, the same people who elect Teabaggers/GOP...
I bet not.... NBA fans are generally well educated.
Quote from: dbacks fan on June 07, 2012, 03:32:11 PM
That kind of reminds me of the mentality of alot of people in OK for the last hundred years. You want what someone else has to the point that you belittle them for having it, and saying that it's not worth having. Should be the state motto, "I want what you got so bad I'm going to tell you how bad what you have is"
It's not that I want the Thunder in Tulsa. Had they been acquired and moved here in the same way, I'd have the same complaints. Piggybacking off the entire state and then disregarding it after they got what they wanted is no way to act. And the $60 million tax break so the team doesn't have to pay taxes on their millionaire basketball players' salaries? Yeah, that is a totally justifiable expansion of the Quality Jobs Act.
QuoteUh oh. Do you have the Okie in you?
I should've known you'd be the first to say that :)
Quote from: Teatownclown on June 07, 2012, 03:36:08 PM
I bet not.... NBA fans are generally well educated.
Who's the NBA fans? They're fans because an Oklahoma team's doing well. How many were fans 3 years ago?
I hope it does some good for the state.
Pretty much in absolute agreement with DSJ and always have been, from day one.
I will watch in passing. But not to root for this team. Plus, don't care much for basketball of ANY variety.
I also have no Thunder gear, no plans of high-fiving co workers and yelling "Thunder UP".
Guess I have the Okie in me also. Just not OKC.
I still think it should have been the Oklahoma Thunder. But then again we already have a semi pro football team with that name. Could be confusing. ;D
Quote from: Hoss on June 07, 2012, 03:55:36 PM
Pretty much in absolute agreement with DSJ and always have been, from day one.
I will watch in passing. But not to root for this team. Plus, don't care much for basketball of ANY variety.
I also have no Thunder gear, no plans of high-fiving co workers and yelling "Thunder UP".
Guess I have the Okie in me also. Just not OKC.
I'll high-five that.
Quote from: dbacks fan on June 07, 2012, 03:32:11 PM
That kind of reminds me of the mentality of alot of people in OK for the last hundred years. You want what someone else has to the point that you belittle them for having it, and saying that it's not worth having. Should be the state motto, "I want what you got so bad I'm going to tell you how bad what you have is"
The simple word for that is "jealousy". It isn't very becoming.
Quote from: AquaMan on June 07, 2012, 04:55:30 PM
The simple word for that is "jealousy". It isn't very becoming.
For me, it's nothing to do with jealousy and everything to do with the entitlement attitude that OKC continues to have just because she's the largest city in the state. How about that exemption amended to the law to allow entertainment industry to get Oklahoma state tax breaks? I preached that from day one and it will continue to be a thorn about how this whole thing came about.
I don't want nor care to even have a professional basketball team.
Just because someone doesn't like a team located in the same state doesn't make them jealous.
Quote from: Hoss on June 07, 2012, 05:06:54 PM
For me, it's nothing to do with jealousy and everything to do with the entitlement attitude that OKC continues to have just because she's the largest city in the state. How about that exemption amended to the law to allow entertainment industry to get Oklahoma state tax breaks? I preached that from day one and it will continue to be a thorn about how this whole thing came about.
I don't want nor care to even have a professional basketball team.
Just because someone doesn't like a team located in the same state doesn't make them jealous.
My thoughts exactly.
If a person just didn't like professional basketball and just couldn't stomach the advantages that come with power, I would think a person wouldn't even bother to post. Maybe you despise them on principle and that's admirable, but most of the negative remarks I've read just reek of jealousy. It is what it is, they got the team, we helped pay for it and they are holding on to it with both hands. I didn't see Tulsa offering to help out the Hornets when they were having problems. OKC did and showed they were ready for pro sports.
My family has really enjoyed the Thunder these last few years as they have improved to top tier status. My son's have T-shirts, have gone to games, go to watch parties and talk about their chances against LeBron et al. Its fun and its nice to see something positive come out of Oklahoma.
I even enjoyed watching the Governor pimp the state to Charles Barkley and the TNT crew. Barkley said he hated Oklahoma, that there weren't any blacks here and the food was bad. She played it for laughs and had him eating lamb fries.
Not any blacks here. Where the hell has Barkley been looking?
Oh, In the arena. I get it. My bad.
Quote from: AquaMan on June 07, 2012, 05:36:38 PM
If a person just didn't like professional basketball and just couldn't stomach the advantages that come with power, I would think a person wouldn't even bother to post. Maybe you despise them on principle and that's admirable, but most of the negative remarks I've read just reek of jealousy. It is what it is, they got the team, we helped pay for it and they are holding on to it with both hands. I didn't see Tulsa offering to help out the Hornets when they were having problems. OKC did and showed they were ready for pro sports.
My family has really enjoyed the Thunder these last few years as they have improved to top tier status. My son's have T-shirts, have gone to games, go to watch parties and talk about their chances against LeBron et al. Its fun and its nice to see something positive come out of Oklahoma.
I even enjoyed watching the Governor pimp the state to Charles Barkley and the TNT crew. Barkley said he hated Oklahoma, that there weren't any blacks here and the food was bad. She played it for laughs and had him eating lamb fries.
Let's be clear here. I don't DESPISE the Thunder. I hate OKC. I hate the way they brokered the team. I don't have any opinion of the team aside to dislike them by proxy. Of the city I do. And most here know it. I didn't like OKC LONG before Bennett even bought the Sonics. That's not jealousy in the least. And for anyone to infer I don't have any state spirit when I don't root for the Thunder is asinine.
And I'll end my contribution to this topic with that.
Quote from: Townsend on June 07, 2012, 03:23:40 PM
I'd imagine a large quantity of people whooping it up for the Thunder didn't even know they came from Seattle.
Where's Seattle?
Just kidding. ;D
Not really a follower of the NBA (or any pro sport other than baseball perhaps), but it is nice to see this state get some attention. I laugh watching the ESPNs and other regionally-driven sports coverage outlets having to cover Oklahoma rather than their local teams.
Quote from: Red Arrow on June 07, 2012, 06:08:20 PM
Where's Seattle?
Just kidding. ;D
From KING 5 Sports in Seatlle.....
QuoteWhich best describes your reaction to the Oklahoma City Thunder making the NBA Finals?
I don't care 42% 869
Happy for the players, not the owners 23% 488
I can't be happy for any of them 8% 168
Seattle fans need to move on 19% 387
I'd root for (insert movie bad guy) over OKC 7% 154
Depends on who they play in the Finals 1% 18
http://www.king5.com/sports (http://www.king5.com/sports)
Quote from: Townsend on June 07, 2012, 03:52:32 PM
Who's the NBA fans? They're fans because an Oklahoma team's doing well. How many were fans 3 years ago?
I hope it does some good for the state.
Good point. I have been a fan of the Pheonix Suns since before Barkley played there, and still am to this day, stuck with them through all the good and the bad every season. I'm the same for the D'Backs, and more so with them as their first season was when I moved there and it gave me a chance to be a fan of a team from the beginning. I'm also a fan of the AZ Cardinals and the Coyotes. But to the point of the quote, it's always funny to me the people that were at best casual fans become their biggest supporters when they are doing well, and when the bad seasons happen, all you can hear is the sound of people breaking their ankles as they jump off the band wagon.
As for the deals to get the Thunder, you will find that in any market that is trying to lure a team to their city, just the way that they try to lure business and or industry. Seatlle is trying to get money to build a new arena, and they don't have a team in mind, it's the "If you build it, they will come" mentallity, although it appears the Coyotes sale is having problems in Glendale.
As for the jealousy issue, that was going on in OK before I was born there, and still continues today. At least from what I have been reading over the last few years, here and elsewhere, Tulsa is building an identity that it can call it's own while drawing off of influences from other places, and hopefully learning from the mistakes made in those places.
http://www.king5.com/sports/Seattle-property-owners-would-see-tax-hike-for-arena-157830185.html (http://www.king5.com/sports/Seattle-property-owners-would-see-tax-hike-for-arena-157830185.html)
http://www.king5.com/sports/Coyotes-sale-possibly-in-trouble-on-multiple-fronts-157985265.html (http://www.king5.com/sports/Coyotes-sale-possibly-in-trouble-on-multiple-fronts-157985265.html)
http://www.azcentral.com/community/glendale/articles/2012/06/07/20120607phoenix-coyotes-deal-goldwater-restraining-order.html (http://www.azcentral.com/community/glendale/articles/2012/06/07/20120607phoenix-coyotes-deal-goldwater-restraining-order.html)
Ok guys. Since Boston laid that egg last night. Who ya want?
Quote from: DolfanBob on June 08, 2012, 08:42:22 AM
Ok guys. Since Boston laid that egg last night. Who ya want?
We want Miami! Every fan of the NBA despises Miami....we will be the country's favorite sons....
THUNDER UP!
btw, this mornings Whirled listed the top state sports events of all time...the OU/Notre Dame game in 57, the OU/Neb game in 71, Tiger Woods' 63 at SHCC in 97 and now this game on Wens. night which was the only one out of the 4 I had not attended in person, but I can tell you it is the top one for sure.
What tremendous exposure for our State.
Who jacked TTC's account?
Quote from: Townsend on June 08, 2012, 10:15:51 AM
Who jacked TTC's account?
RM...he doesn't get it that the country will never elect a Jewish President....but cults are hands off. ;D
THUNDER UP!
For those that think the NBA and the OKC Thunder don't matter in Tulsa should head over to Fassler Hall for a game during the upcoming Finals. The place has been wall to wall packed, standing room only with a bunch of people in their 20's & 30's last two games. According to two friends the place was chanting OKC at the end of game six. OKC chants in a downtown Tulsa bar? That's near hypocrisy, but great for statewide pride.
Quote from: rdj on June 08, 2012, 10:32:49 AM
For those that think the NBA and the OKC Thunder don't matter in Tulsa should head over to Fassler Hall for a game during the upcoming Finals. The place has been wall to wall packed, standing room only with a bunch of people in their 20's & 30's last two games. According to two friends the place was chanting OKC at the end of game six. OKC chants in a downtown Tulsa bar? That's near hypocrisy, but great for statewide pride.
This is the case not only at Fassler, but every Pub in town from what I hear....also of note, yesterday was a dead day at most business' unless you sold Thunder gear.
Lots of hangovers yesterday! More to come....
Thunder Up!
Clown. I'm glad to see you excited about something other than peoples grammar. ;D
Quote from: DolfanBob on June 08, 2012, 10:41:27 AM
Clown. I'm glad to see you excited about something other than peoples grammar. ;D
He's building up to something.
Quote from: DolfanBob on June 08, 2012, 10:41:27 AM
Clown. I'm glad to see you excited about something other than peoples grammar. ;D
. . .or other people's money. . .or race. . .or religion.
Oh well. It was a great "Shortened" NBA year. Very proud of how the Thunder got there. But the big Dance proved a little to much for the youngsters.
I hope the off season will be good to us and not lose two of our good players.
Looks like everyone is locked in through at least the end of next season according to a graphic they displayed last night during the game. I believe Westbrook and Durant are signed through the '14-'15 season.
Quote from: Gaspar on June 08, 2012, 12:30:44 PM
. . .or other people's money. . .or race. . .or religion.
OPM? HUH? Man , you sure grab stuff out of your exit. Race and religion are used just to point out irony in our two sided posties.
As a long time NBA fan, dating back to going to the parquet God-den to see the greatest team ever assembled in 72 and 73, I was delighted with the season and the fact we got into the finals. I was not disappointed and actually enjoyed seeing the Heat play so well. It has been a humbling experience for the newbie masses to lose but it will prove a good thing over time.