Tulsa World: Young Thunder ready to make big boom in OKC

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Young Thunder ready to make big boom in OKC

Oklahoma City Thunder and former Texas Longhorn Kevin Durant speaks to members of the press during the team's media day in Oklahoma City. JAMES GIBBARD/Tulsa World

By JOHN KLEIN Senior Sports Columnist
Published: 9/30/2008 2:04 AM
Last Modified: 9/30/2008 3:32 AM

OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma City Thunder is in no need of an immediate turnaround.

The team, like its new home in the center of the state, will have time to grow with its new fans.

Eventually, the Thunder will have to win games and create some excitement. For now, just playing games, any games against any team, is enough for most NBA fans in the state.

"The reception we've had and the way we've been welcomed has been great," Thunder coach P.J. Carlesimo said Monday. "Everywhere we go there is a lot of excitement and enthusiasm. For every little inconvenience of the move, there has been just as much excitement about the move.

"It is really incredible in this day and age with the economy the way it is to have this kind of support. It isn't just good. It is over the top."

Carlesimo, general manager Sam Presti and players were at the Thunder's first media day just down the street from their new home at the Ford Center in downtown Oklahoma City.

Many of the questions were about first impressions of Oklahoma City. Some were about the uncontrolled excitement generated by central Oklahoma's first taste of pro sports.

"It is tremendous to have the kind of support we have," said Presti about soldout season tickets. "When you see it, you have an understanding of the city. It has been hectic but a very productive time..."

Yet, just like the team, the questions on media day eventually got down to what will be most important in a couple of years. What type of team will this be? When can the Thunder realistically expect to be competitive in the NBA?

For the first couple of years, that won't matter. Folks are going to jam the place excitedly. In 2-3 years, they may want to see some wins.

"In the future, we will have tangible things to be proud of with wins," Carlesimo said. "You can never say it is not important if you win or lose. It is important.

"So, what we want to do is improve as individuals and improve as a team."

Certainly, the Thunder have plenty of room for improvement. Oklahoma City, playing as the Seattle SuperSonics last year, lost 62 games.

Most NBA experts believe the Thunder will have a hard time improving much on last year's record.

The reasons are simple. For starters, playing in the NBA's Western Conference means Oklahoma City will be fighting for a playoff spot against some of the NBA's most successful franchises.

Also, Oklahoma City is very young. Kevin Durant, OKC's star, was the NBA rookie-of-the-year last season. Jeff Green, another of the team's top players, is in just his second season, too. Even the veterans, like former Oklahoma State star Desmond Mason, are somewhat young.

"The best thing about this is that we are brand new," Durant said. "It is like starting over. Everywhere we've been going the past few months people have been asking us about the move. Now, we can just focus on basketball.

"Coming into this league there is a learning curve. But, we're able to go through it together."

But, it is Durant that is the foundation of this team and where the future will go for the Thunder. He averaged 20.3 points per game last year and shot 43 percent. However, he played much better late in the season.

Thus, it is not surprising the Thunder was better near the end of the season.

"This is a players league," Carlesimo said. "So, we've got to get our players better. What separates the great players in this league is consistency. They can all score 30 on any given night. They've all done it in college and high school. So, it is about consistency.

While the major stories about the team were lawsuits, the move, new uniforms, name, etc., the team was actually going through a transition, too.

There are more new players than holdovers among the 17 on the current roster.

Our young guys are established," Carlesimo said. "And, our veterans are young, too. Even though we are young, we will have guys on the floor with experience. We're just going to continue to build our team."

And that will go hand-in-hand with Thunder fans. By JOHN KLEIN Senior Sports Columnist

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If you see a comment that violates our terms and conditions, please help us by clicking the "Report this Comment" link next to a comment. That will alert the web staff to review the comment. Thank you. -- Web Editor Jason Collington

	Report Comment Lancelot, (9/30/2008 7:58:36 AM) This is Tulsa. Why are we writing about an OKC team?
	Report Comment Ken3, ... (9/30/2008 12:11:05 PM) I guess Lancelot would be against writing about a Norman or Stillwater team!!!

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