Remember, the OKC Thunder Is, Above All, New

by David A. Arnott on Apr 10, 2009 3:07 PM EDT

One of the worst days of my life involved Oklahoma City. I was driving across the country from San Francisco to Charlotte, and the leg from Amarillo, TX, to Memphis, TN, became a nightmare as a massive storm rolled through Oklahoma. I stopped at a McDonald's in OKC for an early lunch, and the city was already drenched, draped in dark clouds, with no prospect of weather clearing up anytime soon.

So, of course, I have this image of a hunkered down fortress of a town, no one on the sidewalks, dreary, on edge because of tornado warnings. Obviously, I have a skewed version of OKC.

When the Bobcats play the Thunder tonight, it will be in front of a crowd new to the NBA. There are people in Charlotte who remember when the Hornets were new, and the NBA brought major league status to the region.

The concept of the NBA isn't exactly simple to grasp. You've got your Artests, Arenases, and Birdmans on the periphery of the culture, Garnetts, Marburys, Morrisons, and Cap'n Jacksons a little further in, and then the masses of Josh Boones who are all their own men with bits of personality to discover.

And then there's Kevin Durant. Do you know what he's all about? I sure don't. In my imagination, he's an absence of outward personality with a fully formed dude within, just like fellow G-E-I-C-O competitor Joe Johnson. That the city's first major league sports star is a guy who isn't exactly high on the list of outgoing brand salesmen, whether that's selling the league or himself, might be considered a major problem, except that Durant's game is so gosh darn captivating.

Say what you will about his defense: the dude is a scoring machine. He might one day end up the Manny Ramirez of the NBA, in the sense that he plays a high offense position and struggles with defense, but he's still so incredible on offense that it overwhelms both reason and haterade.

Tweet Comment 1 comment | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Season is over...what do you do with the last 3 games?

If I’m Coach Brown, Sean May starts the last 3 games of the season. Let him show what he can do. It can’t hurt anything at this point. It would only liven his chances of getting to stay in Charlotte for the league minimum(not sure where he would fit in the lineup at this point) or showcase his sweet shooting range and attract a nice pickup for us in the off season. You have Nazr…well…he’s Nazr…a vet with a too big contract…

Cartier Martin would be starting to get some experience as well. He’s a good player with raw talent.
I would start Diop as well at center…

Let’s see…I have Diop at center and May at PF…um….let’s start Diaw at SF, Cartier Martin at SG, and DJ at PG.

You have to look to next year at this point. DJ has to get used to PG…May has to get used to playing…and getting into some sort of rhythm…he’s a great player who has been on the shelf for too long…look at Grant Hill…Diop…he desperately needs offensive help. great on the boards and decent on defense…but he has to learn how to SHOOT…
Diaw…he gives the 4 playing the open look. The man could get a pass to Waldo (thats a Where’s Waldo reference) He is sooooo good at finding the open man when no one else sees him. Cartier…He’s a great talent. All he needs it time to rub elbows with the NBA level players and he becomes the perfect backup to Gerald. I liked Shannon Brown, but you do what you have to in order to get the players you need. I still have my Morrison jersey hanging in the closet with the tags on it…anyone swap me a Diow jersey for it? LOL

I truly think it is best for the Bobcats to not be in the playoffs. I didn’t want to see them get swept in the first round. Against the Celtics…I think they could have got to the second round…Against the Cavs…they could win if they were not star struck by L. James. This is for the best. Look to draft a hot prospect and swap him and someone for a free agent/ younger veteran that will fit in Larry’s rotation…and try to unload a big contract. If it means we unload Diop and a first round player…or Diop and Felton, or Nazr and any of the combinations mentioned…do it. Next year is a Playoffs given. We’ll be in it…the question will be…will we be a #5 seed or a #6 seed?

by andrewlail76 on Apr 11, 2009 9:24 AM EDT reply actions