View Full Version : SI's Chris Ballard paints a rather unflattering portrait of OKC



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kevinpate
01-25-2010, 06:08 AM
Dog food smell? I have worked at 122nd & Santa Fe (Broadway Ext) going on 10 years and have NEVER noticed any odor in the area at all. Does one have to be within a half block radius? Would think if it was that bad, would be able to smell it from miles around.

Perhaps it comes and goes. I know that was the case with a different oder source in south Norman. Wasn't there all the time, but when it was, katy bar the door. On those days, walking even a short distance from a Cross Center bldg to the adjoining parking was downright painful due to the stench in the air.

dmoor82
01-26-2010, 07:42 AM
alright this Douchbag on ESPN this morning,he will not say OKC or Thunder all he will say is The team formally known as Seattle,or the former sonics!!!!come on d-bag you are a national commentator on the largest sports network in the world!!! GROW UP!

fredfredburger
01-26-2010, 09:08 AM
alright this Douchbag on ESPN this morning,he will not say OKC or Thunder all he will say is The team formally known as Seattle,or the former sonics!!!!come on d-bag you are a national commentator on the largest sports network in the world!!! GROW UP!

sounds like you're the one who needs to grow up.

everyone with some form of common sense knows that the "Thunder" won't be staying here much longer

warreng88
01-26-2010, 09:24 AM
everyone with some form of common sense knows that the "Thunder" won't be staying here much longer

Tell me, why do you think that? Is it because of lack of corporate sponsorship, ticket sales, team improving or something else? Because as of right now, we are #11 in the league in attendance and #8 in the league in percentage of sold out tickets. And that is with almost 1,000 less seats than last season. The Thunder also eclipsed their win mark from last year and have a good chance at making the playoffs.

fredfredburger
01-26-2010, 09:30 AM
Tell me, why do you think that? Is it because of lack of corporate sponsorship, ticket sales, team improving or something else? Because as of right now, we are #11 in the league in attendance and #8 in the league in percentage of sold out tickets. And that is with almost 1,000 less seats than last season. The Thunder also eclipsed their win mark from last year and have a good chance at making the playoffs.

Uh, no. It's because Clay is failing to meet all the clauses of the contract.

Also, attendance? lol! do you mean all those people dressed up like empty seats they keep showing on TV when the announcer says it's a sold-out game?

okcpulse
01-26-2010, 09:36 AM
Uh, no. It's because Clay is failing to meet all the clauses of the contract.

How so?


Also, attendance? lol! do you mean all those people dressed up like empty seats they keep showing on TV when the announcer says it's a sold-out game?

Went to a game last year. The house was packed. Ten years ago people like you believed OKC could NEVER get a team. NOW you say that they won't be around long.

Our turnstile counts alone are higher than other cities.

warreng88
01-26-2010, 09:37 AM
Uh, no. It's because Clay is failing to meet all the clauses of the contract.

Also, attendance? lol! do you mean all those people dressed up like empty seats they keep showing on TV when the announcer says it's a sold-out game?

What clauses of the contract?

Also, the amount of tickets sold is what matters. They are making money on the team, whether or not people show up.

okcpulse
01-26-2010, 09:40 AM
sounds like you're the one who needs to grow up.

everyone with some form of common sense knows that the "Thunder" won't be staying here much longer

No, you don't want the Thunder to stay. You don't want OKC to succeed. I bet if you were a dictator, you'd sign an executive order to starve Oklahoma's economy and breed the state right out of existence.

fredfredburger
01-26-2010, 09:40 AM
Our turnstile counts alone are higher than other cities.

Prove it to me.

Every game I've been to, the place is barely half full, and every televised game shows huge empty sections, while calling it a sold-out game. I know that they are technically sold out when they make that announcement, but showing all the empty seats is embarassing.

okcpulse
01-26-2010, 09:42 AM
Prove it to me.

Every game I've been to, the place is barely half full, and every televised game shows huge empty sections, while calling it a sold-out game. I know that they are technically sold out when they make that announcement, but showing all the empty seats is embarassing.

The place is barely half full? So that puts attendance at about 9,000. The turnstile counts last year, released from the NBA were in the 15,000 range.

fredfredburger
01-26-2010, 09:44 AM
No, you don't want the Thunder to stay. You don't want OKC to succeed. I bet if you were a dictator, you'd sign an executive order to starve Oklahoma's economy and breed the state right out of existence.

LOL

If I was a dictator? wtf is wrong with you people?

This is Bennet's fault, not mine. I'm not making a wish or anything.

You people seriously need to grow up and claw your way out of whatever fantasy world you live in. OKC is full of some of the most delusional people in the world.

Or I guess you can just ignore anything I say, call me names and rant away to your little heart's content.

Here's a tip: When you cover your ears and scream so you can't hear the reality around you, it helps to stomp your feet and close your eyes also.

okcpulse
01-26-2010, 09:49 AM
LOL

If I was a dictator? wtf is wrong with you people?

This is Bennet's fault, not mine. I'm not making a wish or anything.

You people seriously need to grow up and claw your way out of whatever fantasy world you live in. OKC is full of some of the most delusional people in the world.

Or I guess you can just ignore anything I say, call me names and rant away to your little heart's content.

Here's a tip: When you cover your ears and scream so you can't hear the reality around you, it helps to stomp your feet and close your eyes also.

Chillax, I was just messing with you. But you still didn't provide info on how Bennett's not meeting the clauses in his contract.

warreng88
01-26-2010, 09:56 AM
LOL

This is Bennet's fault, not mine. I'm not making a wish or anything.



How is this Bennet's fault? He legally bought an NBA team. He then asked for a new arena which other owners had asked for in the past. The new arena proposal was $500 million which is not out of the realm of possibilities for an NBA arena. The city of Seattle passed a law after they built a new Mariners and Seahawks stadium stating they would not let public funds be used for a new arena. He had just spent $350 million to buy the basketball team, why would he shell out another $500 million for an arena? "Legally" they did everything they were supposed to do regardless of if it was nice or not. He paid the city $45 million and said he would pay another $30 million if renovations were made to Key Arena. That never happened so he ended up paying about $400 million to buy the team, not including moving/relocating costs, rents, etc.

kmf563
01-26-2010, 09:56 AM
You wouldn't smell it at 122nd and Santa Fe. It doesn't reach that far. But their practice facility is basically right next door. It STINKS. But man, if they think it smells now, wait until a rainy spring day. Or a hot summer day with rain. And then throw in the 8 zillion bradford pears someone thought needed to be planted all over Edmond. Whew! Are they in for a treat! I live within a mile of that plant and dear Lord does it smell horrible! But when they made that plant it was in the middle of nowhere. They just built around it without consideration of the smell. I didn't think about it when I picked my house. Some days are bearable, some days I want to hurl.

I don't see what the big deal is. He did a well written article about Durant and the NBA, not OKC. His comments were little facts, not glamorized or demeaning...just statements.

Some of you should just follow our NBA players on Twitter. They ham it up. And they all say good things about OKC. They have a good time, they like the people, they love how relaxing it is and that they can feel at home. The road is for the party time.

And no, our casinos are not 24 hours. Remington would be the closest to them but it closes at 3. And it doesn't have tables.

fredfredburger
01-26-2010, 10:03 AM
The place is barely half full? So that puts attendance at about 9,000. The turnstile counts last year, released from the NBA were in the 15,000 range.

according to the article here: (http://74.125.95.132/search?q=cache:OBuP8UGE9gsJ:newsok.com/thunder-out-to-fill-more-seats/article/3391661%3FwidgetOffset0%3D100+NBA+TURNSTILE+thunde r&cd=4&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us)

"But "packing the Ford Center” is misleading.

According to NBA turnstile counts published recently on CBSSports.com, Oklahoma City finished 16th in "actual attendance” out of 30 teams.

According to NBA turnstile counts, the Thunder averaged 14,415 fans a game.

That’s one area the Thunder should improve."

okcpulse
01-26-2010, 10:06 AM
according to the article here: (http://74.125.95.132/search?q=cache:OBuP8UGE9gsJ:newsok.com/thunder-out-to-fill-more-seats/article/3391661%3FwidgetOffset0%3D100+NBA+TURNSTILE+thunde r&cd=4&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us)

"But "packing the Ford Center” is misleading.

According to NBA turnstile counts published recently on CBSSports.com, Oklahoma City finished 16th in "actual attendance” out of 30 teams.

According to NBA turnstile counts, the Thunder averaged 14,415 fans a game.

That’s one area the Thunder should improve."

Okay, so we're on the same page. That's the same figures I got when I looked up the stats this morning.

So, again, that's 75% capacity... on average. And those are average turnstile counts. There was an ice storm in the first season which knocked attendance down to 6,000.

That being said, you thinking that OKC being ranked 16th in attendance out of 30 teams, does that mean that 14 other cities that ranked lower than OKC are also going to lose their teams?

okcpulse
01-26-2010, 10:09 AM
And no, our casinos are not 24 hours. Remington would be the closest to them but it closes at 3. And it doesn't have tables.

Remington is the only casino in OKC. Riverwind is in Norman. It is 24 hours. But that is a 30 minute drive from where I plan to buy a house.

fredfredburger
01-26-2010, 10:09 AM
That being said, you thinking that OKC being ranked 16th in attendance out of 30 teams, does that mean that 14 other cities that ranked lower than OKC are also going to lose their teams?

huh? Attendance has nothing to do with it.

Clay isn't meeting all of his obligations. I don't have a list handy, but one of them was number of televised games, the other was another $30million he was supposed to pay, but I think he got out of that.

warreng88
01-26-2010, 10:14 AM
huh? Attendance has nothing to do with it.

Clay isn't meeting all of his obligations. I don't have a list handy, but one of them was number of televised games, the other was another $30million he was supposed to pay, but I think he got out of that.

You might need to be more specific on "number of televises games" because all of the games are televised either on Fox Sports SW or the KSBN, Thunder TV. Now if it number of games on TNT, ESPN or another network, that is different. Also, he IS off the hook for the $30 million because the city of Seattle did not come to an agreement on the renovation of Key Arena.

betts
01-26-2010, 04:55 PM
Uh, no. It's because Clay is failing to meet all the clauses of the contract.

Also, attendance? lol! do you mean all those people dressed up like empty seats they keep showing on TV when the announcer says it's a sold-out game?

Are you sure you're not from Seattle? Were I a moderator, I'd be checking your IP number.

Clearly, you have a misunderstanding of the NBA, or what constitutes attendance. Nor have you been watching many other games on television. "Sold out" means tickets sold. That means that, regardless of who is sitting in a seat, the money for that seat has been received. Gate attendance is almost always lower, and was far lower in Seattle than it has been in OKC. Oklahoma City's paid attendance ranks 11th in the league, ahead of many bigger cities and better-performing teams. Also, if one actually attends a game, one observes that many people get up and down, and that the concourses are frequently full of people getting food, taking restroom breaks, etc. So, an arena virtually never looks full, except at the end of a close, exciting game.

As far as Clay not meeting the clauses of his contract, you say you don't have a list handy. We'll wait. Look it up and let us know precisely what obligations he has not met.

betts
01-26-2010, 05:01 PM
Televised games are determined by the NBA, as well as voters. The better a team's record, the more games that are televised. Presumably, if the Thunder win as many games the second half of the season as the first, they will have far more televised games next year, especially if Kevin Durant is chosen to be an All Star as he almost assuredly will. Oklahoma City is the only team besides the Lakers that has been voted as the game of the week by the voters on NBA tv more than once.

Revenue from televised games and merchandise sales are evenly distributed between teams to the tune of $49 million per team per year. So, regardless of how many teams are on television this year, the Thunder receives the same reimbursement as other teams. Kevin Durant's jersey was the 15th best selling jersey in the NBA this fall, but we don't get anymore money for that than a team that has the worst selling jersey. It makes it easier for smaller market teams to be successful.

CuatrodeMayo
01-26-2010, 05:10 PM
http://i863.photobucket.com/albums/ab192/ACKong/OT%20Post/dont_feed_the_trolls.jpg

Doug Loudenback
01-26-2010, 05:40 PM
Exactly.

Steve
01-26-2010, 06:23 PM
I say FredFred is a Seattle guy. If you're not, watch the 10 p.m. news on KFOR, FredFred, and report back to us at 10:05 p.m. the lead stories.

fredfredburger
01-26-2010, 10:04 PM
I say FredFred is a Seattle guy. If you're not, watch the 10 p.m. news on KFOR, FredFred, and report back to us at 10:05 p.m. the lead stories.

it started with a frozen screen of the contractor that they then described for the in your corner bit

manhunt for a kid - suspect in white cowboy hat

winter storm

mike morgan - major snowstorm, major icestorm combined with it, glaze of heavy ice, end of the world

linda in red, talking about the storm, telling everyone to panic and stock up on supplies.

interview with bald emsa dude.

story about the kid who vanished, showed pic of stepdad who killed the girl's mother.

now going live to meg alexander.

ljbab728
01-27-2010, 12:08 AM
it started with a frozen screen of the contractor that they then described for the in your corner bit

manhunt for a kid - suspect in white cowboy hat

winter storm

mike morgan - major snowstorm, major icestorm combined with it, glaze of heavy ice, end of the world

linda in red, talking about the storm, telling everyone to panic and stock up on supplies.

interview with bald emsa dude.

story about the kid who vanished, showed pic of stepdad who killed the girl's mother.

now going live to meg alexander.

LOL, looks like Fred is a Seattle guy who rented a motel in OKC for the night.

Fred, most people realize you're really here in OKC but they also realize you'ld be better off in Seattle. You make a lot of statements that you can't really back up with anything more than your opinion.

NBA Attendance - National Basketball Association - ESPN (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/attendance)

jbrown84
01-27-2010, 09:45 PM
Seems there's always a new troll to keep things interesting around here. Now that Iron's gone, we have fredfred.

soonerguru
01-27-2010, 10:59 PM
it started with a frozen screen of the contractor that they then described for the in your corner bit

manhunt for a kid - suspect in white cowboy hat

winter storm

mike morgan - major snowstorm, major icestorm combined with it, glaze of heavy ice, end of the world

linda in red, talking about the storm, telling everyone to panic and stock up on supplies.

interview with bald emsa dude.

story about the kid who vanished, showed pic of stepdad who killed the girl's mother.

now going live to meg alexander.

I generally haven't enjoyed your posts, but this is effing hilarious.