Thunder News

Thunder selects site for practice facility
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October 11
The Oklahoman
 
"The Oklahoma City Thunder has selected an eight-acre tract of land in north Oklahoma City as a tentative site for a $21 million permanent practice facility. On Tuesday, the Oklahoma City Council will consider a proposal for an early entry agreement for the NBA team to purchase eight acres at Britton Road and Broadway Extension that is currently owned by Kickingbird Medical Building, LLC.The proposal will be reviewed for an early entry agreement with the property owner to conduct a due diligence evaluation, inspection and survey of the property. The process includes environmental studies, ground stabilization and a general assessment of the property and reliable cost estimates for ..."
Judge limits fans' suit against ex-Sonics
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October 11
Seattle Post-Intelligencer
 
"A lawsuit by former Sonics season ticket holders seeking retribution from Clay Bennett and his Professional Basketball Club grew more limited in scope Friday after an order from U.S. District Judge Richard Jones concerning the ongoing litigation. Jones recently asked attorneys for both the PBC and three former Sonics ticket holders to get together and jointly answer some of his questions regarding numerous motions by both sides in the suit. As a result, Jones produced an order allowing the fans to amend the initial relief they'd sought from the Oklahoma City owners. The fans group has withdrawn any attempt to seek injunctive relief that would force the team back to Seattle, acknowledging ..."
Thunder to hold open practice October 20 at the Ford Center
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October 10
The Oklahoman
 
"The Thunder has announced details for an open practice for fans on Oct. 20 inside the Ford Center. Free tickets will be given to all fans and will be distributed at the doors of the Ford Center, which will open at 5:30 p.m. on Oct. 20. Members of the dance team (which is taking as long as the actual team to settle on a name) will make an appearance and other activities will be available on the court, throughout the concourse and out in the plaza."
OKC Thunder: White out 4 to 6 months
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October 10
The Oklahoman
 
"D.J. White will miss four to six months because of a benign growth in his jaw, the team announced Thursday night. White is scheduled to undergo surgery next week. Doctors must take a bone graft from his hip to mend the bone in his jaw. White, the 29th overall pick out of Indiana, is with the team on its current road trip and is participating in light contact drills, but he hasn't practiced since the team started training camp."
Thunder falls short
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October 9
The Oklahoman
 
"Making its NBA debut, the Thunder lost 88-82 to the Minnesota Timberwolves in an exhibition game Wednesday night. Damien Wilkins scored a team-high 19 points with five rebounds off the bench. Chris Wilcox added 17 points, and Kevin Durant finished with 10 points. Rookie point guard Russell Westbrook, the team's No. 4 overall pick, scored 13 points with three assists and three rebounds in 19 minutes.The Thunder held Minnesota to just 37 percent shooting and forced it into 25 turnovers but couldn't stop the Wolves from breaking a 78-all tie and pulling away down the stretch."
Thunder, T-wolves build on moves
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October 8
The Oklahoman
 
"Sam Presti is all too familiar with the joke.The one in which the Thunder general manager joined Minnesota counterpart Kevin McHale as the league-wide punch line in last season's sarcastic debate over which of the two should win executive of the year for their roles in rebuilding the Boston Celtics. Presti traded Ray Allen from Seattle to Boston. McHale shipped Kevin Garnett from the Wolves to the Celtics.The Celtics won the title. The Sonics and Wolves won the league's second- and third-worst records, respectively.One year later, both teams are trying to climb their way back to respectability, starting with tonight's preseason matchup in Billings, Mont."When you look at a lot of teams in ..."
OKC is 79th best sports city
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October 8
The Oklahoman
 
"On the verge of its first year as a permanent major league city, Oklahoma City is ranked No. 79 in The Sporting News list of 400 best sports cities. But the magazine reassures the city that the ranking will go up. "Oklahoma City is waiting for the NBA season to start, but we couldn't wait with our Best Sports City rankings, so the city doesn't reap the benefit of having the Thunder. But wait till next year!" said Sporting News Chief of Correspondents Bob Hille, who has coordinated the rankings since their expansion 12 years ago. Boston is ranked No. 1."
Fans snap up single tickets
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October 8
The Oklahoman
 
"Harvey Watson missed out on purchasing two Cavs tickets but was pleased tickets for other high profile teams were available. Approximately 1,500 individual game tickets for the Thunder's first 23 home games went on sale Tuesday. Fans were limited to four tickets per game."Everyone wants to see LeBron (James) but we got tickets for Houston, Orlando and Phoenix," said Watson, a Midwest City resident. "You take what you can get. It's just like the Sooners. You get in line and wait for whatever tickets become available."Around 13,000 single-game tickets - about 40 percent - were sold Tuesday. The Celtics, Cavaliers, Hornets, Suns, and the season opener against Milwaukee, were the hottest ..."
Smith gives needed experience
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October 7
The Oklahoman
 
"The ultimate compliment is being highly regarded by your peers.Joe Smith's value goes beyond solid career stats (11.9 points, 6.9 rebounds). Beginning his 14th NBA season, Smith could have an impact on a young Thunder roster similar to what P.J. Brown provided when the Hornets were in Oklahoma City. "You talk to any guy in the league and Joe Smith is a guy everyone wants on their team," said point guard Earl Watson. "He brings experience which you can't replace. He brings toughness. He brings a dimension in the paint."He's a guy who can pick and pop (a shot) which is so vital in the NBA. He can guard anyone in the league. He's tremendous. He's so versatile it's hard to put into words what ..."
Former Longhorn Kevin Durant wonders if there is any room for OU-Texas love this weekend
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October 6
The Oklahoman
 
"Kevin Durant is a Longhorn living in Soonerland. And he's loving every minute of it. The Thunder's young star is playing up the Red River Rivalry. A couple weeks ago when he was at Oklah