Thunder-stuck

by Jeff Clark on Aug 29, 2008 6:37 AM EDT in NBA Articles

The Artists Formerly Known As Sonics will get a new name on Wednesday, but the secret seems to be slipping out.

The new OKC NBA Sports Blog (who hopefully will work on a new name themselves) has screen caps of Ticketmaster pages with the name "Thunder" on them.

I'm sure the name will get mixed reactions, but I don't mind it. The alternatives weren't much better. Though one columnist from the Oklahoman (Berry Tramel) didn't think it mattered much:

Thunder? Absolutely no different from Heat. Miami's NBA team has avoided the name police for 20 years.
Marshals seemed weak, but how is Marshals worse than Cowboys? A marshal is a cowboy with a badge. Dallas Cowboys probably seemed a little goofy in 1960. Now it's as American as New York Yankees.
Barons has negative connotations. Robber barons. Catton barons. Land barons. Oil barons, in the summer of $4-a-gallon gas. How are Barons suppose to generate support? The same way Raiders, Buccaneers and Pirates do. Heck, three major-league franchises have voluntarily called themselves the Senators.
Bison also was trademarked by OKC's ownership group. And why wouldn't it work? We're in our third century of generic animals supplying sports with names. Panthers, Jaguars, Bengals. Why is Bison a turnoff?
Wind and Energy? Well, let's not be ridiculous. Those names stink.

From a blogger perspective, I look forward to the punny headlines and loose analogies. I'm even getting used to this new trend of team names without an "s" at the end (remember when that was unheard of?).

Of course all of this is callously ignoring the plight of the gilted Seattle fans, and I'm sorry about that. But at some point you have to move on, and the good folks of Oklahoma City (Clay Bennett excluded) don't deserve our scorn. They are just happy to have a team.

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Oklahoma’s largest marketing firm laughing all the way to the bank. ;D

by mec1 on Aug 29, 2008 7:55 AM EDT reply actions

I think Bombers or Tornadoes are perfect names for the team. Honestly, that’s the first thing that comes to my mind when I think of Oklahoma City.

“Homeless Shelter for Hornets” does not sound like a team name. But that’s another way I can identify with the City.

by afflatus on Aug 29, 2008 7:57 AM EDT reply actions

Two posts and the tastelessness begins already.

>:(

by CoachBo on Aug 29, 2008 8:22 AM EDT reply actions

Its a good name if they were in the WNBA.

by Champzilla on Aug 29, 2008 9:08 AM EDT reply actions

What’s unfortunately been overshadowed by the manner in which the Sonics left Seattle is how great of an opportunity this is for Oklahoma City.

In what I know about the history of the Utah Jazz’s relocation from New Orleans, this was another city that was deemed incapable of maintaining and NBA team. What the league has now is one of the most passionate fan bases in the NBA.

Anytime, not only a city but an entire state has an opportunity to house it’s first professional team, this should be celebrated. I’ll again reference Utah along with the Portland Trailblazers. These are two teams that are the sole representatives of their home states for ANY professional franchise and each has fanbases that are tops in the league in regards to support.

What is lost in all of this is also the fact the OKC earned the right to have a franchise. When the Hornets were down and out they welcomed the team with open arms and became one of the most difficult places to play in the NBA for visting teams.

I personally see this new era in OKC as a great NBA story and wish the soon to be Thunder fans a great season.

(By the way: Outise of the C’s, Seattle was hands-down my favorite NBA fanchise. What happened with that city is a shame, but it shouldn’t be taken out on the OKC fans.)

by huzy on Aug 29, 2008 10:10 AM EDT reply actions

Different name so the Seattle can ‘miraculously’ get their team back in two seasons…more teams, more money.

Blah, blah, blah.

I hope they’re a miserable failure…after screwing Seattle to the wall.

by mcpu40 on Aug 29, 2008 10:13 AM EDT reply actions

Just like when it was SOOOOOOOOOOO sad that Charlotte’s team (the Hornets) left for New Orleans.

Oops, wait a minute…

It’s all very transparent.

by mcpu40 on Aug 29, 2008 10:44 AM EDT reply actions

How about the OKC “Tumbleweeds?” How about the OKC “Oh No I Can’t Believe We Had To Move From Seattle to OK I’m Moving Back Honey See You in the Off Season?”

by The Real Large James on Aug 29, 2008 11:58 AM EDT reply actions

The Oklahoma City Blunder.

by Eeyore III on Aug 29, 2008 12:18 PM EDT reply actions

How ’bout the Oklahoma Sonic?

…and they can be sponsored by that stupid “Sonic” eatery place that gets advertised around here but there isn’t one within miles and miles and (darius) miles..

by mcpu40 on Aug 29, 2008 1:25 PM EDT reply actions

Thunder would not have been my first choice, but it will grow on me. I’m just glad we have a team (even though I don’t agree with everything that happened in order for them to get here). We may not be very good for a while, but I’m looking forward to the third home game of the year…against the Celtics (the one game a year when the home team won’t be getting my support)!

by OKC Celtic on Aug 29, 2008 5:50 PM EDT reply actions