Tulsa Shock

[DolfanBob]

I will admit. Winning makes you pay attention. I have not been to a Shock game but they are starting to peak my interest.
I had high hopes when they brought in Coach Richardson and after his dismal addition to the team. My hopes of ever seeing this team do anything worthwhile sunk even lower.
But this new Coach and lineup seems to be gelling into quite a formidable team. I'm sure they will start to see a boost in attendance and finally start getting some National attention and Television coverage.
I also was unaware that this team won three WNBA Championships at Detroit with Coach Bill"Thug"Laimbeer. He was just here with his team the New York Liberty. And they lost.
So kudos to the true Shock fans for sticking through the tough times to finally get to the fun and winning times.

[Laramie]

Tulsa's community support for the WNBA Shock has been positive:

2010:  Tulsa Shock: Games 17  Total - 81,811 Average  4,812
2011:  Tulsa Shock: Games 17  Total - 82,069 Average  4,828
2012:  Tulsa Shock: Games 17  Total - 88,453 Average  5,203
2013:  Tulsa Shock: Games 17  Total - 93,055 Average  5,474
2014:  Tulsa Shock: Games 17  Total - 94,626 Average  5,566 

Sources:   http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/2014/08/19/Research-and-Ratings/WNBA-gate.aspx

http://www.kenn.com/the_blog/?page_id=5915

. . . . . Note:  2015 figures are in process.

The Tulsa Shock has held their own despite an on court record that hasn't been the best in previous years.  Phoenix has had a spike in attendance with the acquisition of Britney Griner.

[PonderInc]

When the Shock relocated to Tulsa from Detroit, most of the players, who were free agents, declined to relocate.  Then we hired Richardson, who knew nothing about the women's game or its players, or how to coach women, etc, etc.  Then, despite several losing seasons and coming in last in the league, Tulsa never got a number one draft pick. (It's hard to rebuild when you're starting from scratch and can't get a break.)

We started making incremental improvements under Kloppenberg, who does know the women's game and it's players, but never quite got all the pieces together.  Finally, we got Fred Williams, who's an amazing coach, and some brilliant draft picks (Diggins, Sims, et al) and acquisitions (veterans Paris, Pierson and Christmas).  This year, the Shock were tearing up the competition, and playing tenacious, fun, fast-paced basketball.

However, the unlucky streak continues as we've now lost both starting guards, Odyssey Sims (hopefully, she'll come back soon) and Skylar Diggins (out for the season), to knee injuries.  We'd already lost Glory Johnson (previously a starting forward) who's sitting out this year due to pregnancy.  Another veteran, Tiffany Jackson Jones is benched due to injuries.  Basically, we've played the last few games with 9 players, most of them with only one or two years experience in the league.

Despite all this, we're still playing decent ball.  The veterans are showing their leadership, and the younger players are stepping up.  If Odyssey Sims can get healthy, this team is still a monster.

Fingers crossed.

[DolfanBob]

And just when things are turning around.

http://www.tulsaworld.com/sportsextra/shock/from-the-blogs-season-ticket-holders-launch-campaign-to-save/article_0d3e93bf-9d8e-5522-899f-100dd47caf9f.html

[cannon_fodder]

Unfortunately, they averaged higher attendance in Detroit. Now, they were winning big in Detroit until they moved. But still, when you move a team and find a net 3k attendance drop... It is bad.

Hope the rumors aren't true. But not looking good. More bad news - it sets the perception of Tulsa support for a pro team back...

[dbacksfan 2.0]

So if they leave, are you going to miss the lesbian bars, flannel,  Doc Martins and horse shows downtown? Doesn't seem like there was much support for the WNBA 6 years ago.

http://www.tulsanow.org/forum/index.php?topic=13894.0

[TulsaRufnex]

So, let me understand... this team is finally WINNING and the OKC-based majority owners are looking at throwing in the towel?  Now?

From 2011...
http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/wnba/shock/story/2011-09-07/Tulsa-owners-committed-Shock-not-folding-after-dismal-year/50304836/1

"This is the only major league franchise in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and when we start winning the fans are going to break down this door," said minority owner Stuart Price, who says the franchise started out with a five-year plan.

[davideinstein]

Time to put more effort into getting an MLS team.

[DolfanBob]

Kind of a dick move but I get it. Dallas is a huge market and has the potential to be a big money maker for the owners. It takes money to get the best players and I'm sure the draw of living in Dallas/Fort Worth will be a easier sell than Tulsa for the players.

http://www.tulsaworld.com/sportsextra/shock/tulsa-shock-majority-owner-bill-cameron-announces-plans-to-move/article_3f774a7d-356b-540b-8ed5-a27315a07318.html

[cannon_fodder]

Nope. Not possible. The ownership group of both the Shock and the Thunder are committed to including Tulsa blah blah blah...

[Conan71]

I love Stuart Price calling his former BFF, Cameron, a liar.  The minority ownership group has now sued Cameron for basically being a d-bag.

[DolfanBob]

And John Klein summed it up better than anyone. Except maybe Joe Friday. "Just the facts Ma'am"

http://www.tulsaworld.com/sportsextra/johnklein/john-klein-shock-failures-were-about-the-team-not-tulsa/article_05b21cd0-5f96-59f8-8204-97f3f4b4641d.html

[patric]

So, let me understand... this team is finally WINNING and the OKC-based majority owners are looking at throwing in the towel?  Now?

Tulsa was just their stepping stone, and now that they spelled that out, its not likely Tulsans will maintain the same loyalty.

[TeeDub]

Any other takers to fill their spots at the BOK center?

[DTowner]

I guess I can now skip attending my first Shock game.