Are we sure there's a game tomorrow night?

[Jimmy Chitwood]

And are we sure we have an NBA team playing in OKC this year?

I just drove by the Ford Center and there was very little "decor" outside the arena. You'd think they'd have banners on the street polls etc. and even decorate the Ford Center with a banner or something similar to what the Hornets did.

I know this isn't the Hornets, but what the hell do these people do all day? They certainly didn't observe what the Hornets organization (real NBA professionals) did while they were here. Is there a creative bone in anyone in that organization's body? It certainly doesn't appear so.

We finally get pro franchise, but it's being run by amatuers. Flame away.

[rednuhT]

The marketing has been pretty atrocious so far. We can hope that we'll see some improvements, beginning with tomorrow's party and the in-game festivities.

[Plainsman]

And are we sure we have an NBA team playing in OKC this year?

I just drove by the Ford Center and there was very little "decor" outside the arena. You'd think they'd have banners on the street polls etc. and even decorate the Ford Center with a banner or something similar to what the Hornets did.

I know this isn't the Hornets, but what the hell do these people do all day? They certainly didn't observe what the Hornets organization (real NBA professionals) did while they were here. Is there a creative bone in anyone in that organization's body? It certainly doesn't appear so.

We finally get pro franchise, but it's being run by amatuers. Flame away.

I think your right, the Thunder suck

Lets send them back to Seattle and go get another team, maybe Shinn can get out of NOLA huh ??

[Plainsman]

And btw, I think your full of Chit.... wood.

[Wooldoor Sockbat]

Pretty much par for the course.....

[Trueblood]

Teams that don't have a problem selling tickets usually don't have to market and advertise that much. You see a bunch of banners and ads for the teams that play in half empty arenas.

[Fast | Break]

Driving by the ford center to see how many banners are up isn't lame or anything.

[Betts]

Of course the plans for the new arena include a huge outdoor LCD screen, which is designed to advertise the team. Let's give this time. Do we need to be intensely marketed to? Isn't that really for cities who have to be encouraged to support their team? I agree it would be nice to have a big banner, but perhaps it too is still in production. And if it isn't, it's not going to change how I feel about the team. We can look for reasons to be negative, or we can look for the positive....like the fact that WE HAVE A FREAKING NBA TEAM RIGHT HERE IN OKLAHOMA CITY. That's the stuff sports dreams are made of.

[JWil]

This "But but but but the Hornets..." crap is gonna drive me nuts really fast.

You know what? This team JUST GOT HERE. In franchise world, this thing is even younger than an expansion team when they play their first season. Typically, expansion teams get 2-3 years to plan, build a franchise and put out a team. The Thunder are trying to do all that in a just a couple of months. This ownership group doesn't have 20 years of NBA-owning experience to fall back upon like the Hornets did when they came here.

This has been a giant fear of mine (holding this franchise up unfairly against the Hornets) and I really think it will hamstring some fans. We all need to pack up these comparisons in the Hornets box and give OUR REAL TEAM a fair shake. Jesus, they haven't even taken the floor yet! We don't know what this franchise will be like now that the season is here in terms of gameday entertainment, so just give it a few weeks before rushing to judgment.

Myself? I'm taking the college football approach and treating EVERYTHING about this Thunder franchise as if its a redshirt year. The whole franchise is young, inexperienced and needs a season to come together.

We all need to stop acting like jackals and give this thing a chance.

[Chief Thundercloud]

You know what? This team JUST GOT HERE. In franchise world, this thing is even younger than an expansion team when they play their first season.



It is not like they were an established organization that played for 40 years somewhere else.

[RicanThunder]

If they want the Hornets, just ask yodel-lady the directions to get to the New Orleans arena. I heard the first game is a doozy. Against the Cavaliers on the 1st. If you leave now, you'll have plenty of time to get there. Now get out of here. WE HAVE OUR OWN NBA TEAM TO SUPPORT!!!!!!!

[Fast | Break]

Playing devil's advocate here, but they're charging a premium for tickets, so people do have a right to have some pretty high expectations, albeit "reasonable" expections at first.

[Plainsman]

Playing devil's advocate here, but they're charging a premium for tickets, so people do have a right to have some pretty high expectations, albeit "reasonable" expections at first.

For what ?

Banners on the Ford Center ??

Whooope deeee fricken doooo

Hey, I watched the Bucks/Bulls game last night, it was on LP and we got the Bucks announcers ................ they're havin trouble sellin tickets. They're offering upper level $29 seats for $10 for Saturday night's home opener.

Ya know what, I bet they got banners and crap strewn all over town , anyone wanna take that bet ???

Heck, they may even have NBA professional game presentators, not some local yocals ..............sheesssss ,

Sometimes man, I wonder about the young kewl attractive generation, some of those folks are spoiled rotten brats.

Good grief, give me nausea ........... some need to just grow up.

[Fast | Break]

For what ?

Banners on the Ford Center ??

Whooope deeee fricken doooo

Hey, I watched the Bucks/Bulls game last night, it was on LP and we got the Bucks announcers ................ they're havin trouble sellin tickets. They're offering upper level $29 seats for $10 for Saturday night's home opener.

Ya know what, I bet they got banners and crap strewn all over town , anyone wanna take that bet ???

Heck, they may even have NBA professional game presentators, not some local yocals ..............sheesssss ,

Sometimes man, I wonder about the young kewl attractive generation, some of those folks are spoiled rotten brats.

Good grief, give me nausea ........... some need to just grow up.

Calm down dude. I'm just trying to be objective. That's why I said "reasonable expectations". Not trying to start a big deal here, and I'm sorry if the tone of my post didn't portray that stance well enough. I'm not talking about banners, or music or any hullabaloo. I'm just talking about that there's two sides to the story. You seem a little sensitive Plainsman . . relax and enjoy the day!! Gonna be fun tonight no matter what is said on this board heh.

[Blue Thunder]

For what ?

Banners on the Ford Center ??

Whooope deeee fricken doooo

Hey, I watched the Bucks/Bulls game last night, it was on LP and we got the Bucks announcers ................ they're havin trouble sellin tickets. They're offering upper level $29 seats for $10 for Saturday night's home opener.

Ya know what, I bet they got banners and crap strewn all over town , anyone wanna take that bet ???

Heck, they may even have NBA professional game presentators, not some local yocals ..............sheesssss ,

Sometimes man, I wonder about the young kewl attractive generation, some of those folks are spoiled rotten brats.

Good grief, give me nausea ........... some need to just grow up.

I'm with ya Plains... maybe not as strong but I hear you like.... THUNDER

[Plainsman]

You got it wrong bud, I'm not riled up ................ I'm disgusted.

Its a ridiculous conversation. Maybe since I'm over 40, I fail to see any substance is this non-sense.


I'm not talking about banners, or music or any hullabaloo.

Then exactly what is your complaint ? I believe the post that started this idiocy referred to banners .

I can't believe I'm even in this conversation, this is absolutely moronic.

[Fast | Break]

You're unstable man. First of all you attack me personally, and you just won't stop. We've both been on this forum for a long time, and I don't see any reason for the personal attacks and the tone you're taking with me, just because I presented an opinion, one which isn't really even that combative or anything. Sounds like you have a personal problem with young people or something to that affect. If we were face to face I'll bet ten bucks you wouldn't be talking to me that way. Think about that big guy. Sorry you're disgusted, but you're bringing all that on yourself with your rage.

[Wooldoor Sockbat]

No explosions = Total entertainment failure.

[Betts]

C'mon guys. We were visited by an avatar of the goddess Eris. The person who started this thread probably enjoys discord and is getting pleasure out of what he created. There are multiple viewpoints one can take on this subject, but we shouldn't let our differing opinions cause trouble between us. We're all Oklahoma City basketball fans, and that's the bottom line. We can like/dislike the logo, colors, marketing, music, announcers, dance team, etc., but we all agree on the most important thing.....having NBA basketball in Oklahoma City is an amazing thing and we're really lucky we're having this experience.

[Plainsman]

Hey, just callin it the way it is .......... this is idiocy . This entire thread is moronic.

This is opening day for our NBA team, the OPENING DAY, a HUGE day for our city ..... and look at the conversations on this board. This is nuts.

And there's none if any talk about basketball.

In fact, when you step back at look at it, .......... I don't know whether to laugh or cry :) .

[Saberman]

Hey, I'd much rather trade banners in the arena and balloons for more on the court. We need to give the Thunder a chance to be the Thunder. We need our own identity. Let move on and celebrate. Our day has come.

[Betts]

Hey, just callin it the way it is .......... this is idiocy . This entire thread is moronic.

This is opening day for our NBA team, the OPENING DAY, a HUGE day for our city ..... and look at the conversations on this board. This is nuts.

And there's none if any talk about basketball.

As I said, this thread was started by someone who seems to enjoy causing dissension. Couldn't agree more about this being a HUGE day for us and our city.

I'm not talking basketball because I really, really want to see one real game before I start making assumptions about the players and their game. I don't think pre-season was the kind of data we need (or at least I hope not).

I'm hoping Berry's comments about sports fostering community is the predictive opinion.

[Wooldoor Sockbat]

I'll still be badly disappointed if there are no explosions.

[CzechM8]

And are we sure we have an NBA team playing in OKC this year?

I'm sure there is NOT one playing in Seattle this year......

:)