http://s3.amazonaws.com/twitpic/photos/full/64863286.jpg?AWSAccessKeyId=0ZRYP5X5F6FSMBCCSE82&Expires=1265993999&Signature=4x3GJldzAaveWm%2FKkzyTYD9GDnY%3D as of yesterday on CityofOKC's Twitter account.

http://twitter.com/cityofokc
Here's a link to the city's twitter page.

http://s3.amazonaws.com/twitpic/photos/full/64863286.jpg?AWSAccessKeyId=0ZRYP5X5F6FSMBCCSE82&Expires=1265993999&Signature=4x3GJldzAaveWm%2FKkzyTYD9GDnY%3D as of yesterday on CityofOKC's Twitter account.

Metro: was there something missing from your post? Only thing I am seeing is: "as of yesterday on CityofOKC's Twitter account."

He forgot to mention that he scooped everyone else and he can't name his confidential sources.

Can anyone take pictures of the new practice facility construction progress? the link on the Team Page has not worked for me in some time

My camera isn't in working order but I drove by there last weekend and they were working on the landscaping. I assume that means it's about ready to open......just in time for a lockout (hope not, actually). It looks good from the exterior. Hopefully someone will post photos soon.

My camera isn't in working order but I drove by there last weekend and they were working on the landscaping. I assume that means it's about ready to open......just in time for a lockout (hope not, actually). It looks good from the exterior. Hopefully someone will post photos soon.

Thanks Betts for the updated status

From the DOK (picture included in article):

The Oklahoma City Thunder's new practice facility may be about a year behind schedule, but it's under budget and should be ready for the team to move in by August, city officials said Tuesday.



Read more: http://newsok.com/okc-thunder-could-move-into-new-practice-facility-by-august/article/3577185#ixzz1PPNO1rqF

Via Twitter:

KDTrey5 Kevin Durant
Good workout with my boys @JHarden13 and reg jackson...bouta go checkout our new practice facility!!

Via Twitter:

He better check it out quick before it gets locked up at midnight tonight. LOL

Any pics of the completed new practice facility?

It was mentioned at some point leading up to the campaign/during the campaign for the Ford tax that the Practice Facility would be exclusive NBA use. Then it was reported that it would be nearly exclusive, that the City could use it when the team wasn't (like in the off season). Major construction was completed just prior to the lock-out. Does anyone know if it has been utilized for anything yet (since it was taxpayer funded)? What about the temporary practice Facility? During the lock-out would seem like the perfect opportunity to have a community open-house or some type of event(s)?

It was mentioned at some point leading up to the campaign/during the campaign for the Ford tax that the Practice Facility would be exclusive NBA use. Then it was reported that it would be nearly exclusive, that the City could use it when the team wasn't (like in the off season). Major construction was completed just prior to the lock-out. Does anyone know if it has been utilized for anything yet (since it was taxpayer funded)? What about the temporary practice Facility? During the lock-out would seem like the perfect opportunity to have a community open-house or some type of event(s)?

I read that the temp facility would now be used for Thunder Girls practice facility among other things, like kids basketball camps.

I read that the temp facility would now be used for Thunder Girls practice facility among other things, like kids basketball camps.

I drove by the Temp Facility on Wednesday night and there were several cars there. I don't think they had opened up facilities to the players yet, but it was being used by someone.

Some of the players have already been to the practice facility.
http://newsok.com/thunder-qa-with-nick-collison/article/3628712

I read that the temp facility would now be used for Thunder Girls practice facility among other things, like kids basketball camps.
Thats kewl and since they have moved into the permanent facility it is available, but I was asking more about it being used by the City for any events since they have been here (as allowed by the lease agreement)??

Thats kewl and since they have moved into the permanent facility it is available, but I was asking more about it being used by the City for any events since they have been here (as allowed by the lease agreement)??

Does the city 'own' the old temp practice facility ? Somewhere I thought I read where the Thunder had actually bought it.....but I wouldn't bet on that info....

Does anyone have any updated pictures of the new Thunder practice facility? I tried to find some on the thunder website but they did not have any pics/videos.

I found some doing a google search from last summer......I tried to paste here but it wouldn't let me.....so go do a search.

Ive searched and also found very few media of the completed facility. I just googled it and found nothing besides a couple pictures of the exterior.

http://api.photoshop.com/v1.0/accounts/9aab44e99f1b40f5bb18ab92f4b6acca/assets/38de813bb4a24a7a8cc00eab25d6cda3
http://api.photoshop.com/v1.0/accounts/9aab44e99f1b40f5bb18ab92f4b6acca/assets/0152cfb45ee14dbb9b2039019b2fc973
http://methenyconcrete.com/sites/methenyconcrete.com/files/resize/Picture%20022-500x375.jpg

The top 2 are from April aren't they? And they bottom one looks more recent.

Dan, a friend of mine who was working on the building said there haven't any photos or videos of interior because they want to have this big open house and surprise everyone (media and public) all at once

Those are the same pictures that I found but could not paste in for whatever reason.

You can see from the Google aerials from mid-October everything looks pretty finished:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/thunderpractice.jpg

^^ If they do have a big Open House event (which I hope they do), where's everyone going to park?

^^ If they do have a big Open House event (which I hope they do), where's everyone going to park?

I'll doubt the public will be invited, just dignitaries.

Dan, a friend of mine who was working on the building said there haven't any photos or videos of interior because they want to have this big open house and surprise everyone (media and public) all at once

Kind of what I was thinking, but you would have thought there would be some leaked pics. Lol. I guess we'll see in due time.

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/374851_10150415103938995_159957123994_8590809_9262 31329_n.jpg

I personally like how they went to the blue inside the free throw line.

Does the city 'own' the old temp practice facility ? Somewhere I thought I read where the Thunder had actually bought it.....but I wouldn't bet on that info....

Fuzzy best describes it. According to the lease, the City was obligated to pay for the temporary & permanent facilities. But you are correct, there was an article stating that the team had bought it. However, that report may have been in error (considering the lease terms) or maybe the team bought it using money from the City? The report stating the team paid for it may have been just as much in error as one that was over on ESPN(?) that said the team paid for the Arena improvements too.

From the Oklahoman:

http://photos3.newsok.com/cache/r620-87b0ba73f9879ac46f0cb2a0ad6a9da1.jpg

That;s a nice night shot. Thanks for sharing.

Where are all of our urban architecture fanatics who always start complaining?

But it isnt an "urban" facility is it? LOL

But it isnt an "urban" facility is it? LOL

Larry, that doesn't matter to most of them. Everything is supposed to be urban in their eyes.

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/374851_10150415103938995_159957123994_8590809_9262 31329_n.jpg

What a beautiful facility--seond-to-none in the NBA; now they can thank the voters by bringing home an NBA championship.

What a beautiful facility--seond-to-none in the NBA; now they can thank the voters by bringing home an NBA championship.

I'm not going to say it's the best in the league but I definately agree that they should thank us with an NBA Championship.

I'm not going to say it's the best in the league but I definately agree that they should thank us with an NBA Championship.

Nazr Mohammed tweeted it was the best in the NBA and more than likely the world. He might know, he's been in the league for 14 years.

Nazr Mohammed tweeted it was the best in the NBA and more than likely the world. He might know, he's been in the league for 14 years.

That doesn't prove anything, Charlie Sheen tweeted that he invented Tulsa. LOL it would be more of a 'wow' factor if someone like Lamar Odom practiced at our new facility and said that, it's pretty expectable for someone who actually plays for the Thunder to say that. LOL

That doesn't prove anything, Charlie Sheen tweeted that he invented Tulsa. LOL it would be more of a 'wow' factor if someone like Lamar Odom practiced at our new facility and said that, it's pretty expectable for someone who actually plays for the Thunder to say that. LOL


I've heard a number of great comments about the Thunder's new practice facility from players; MDot, do you know of an NBA practice facility which is better?

I've heard a number of great comments about the Thunder's new practice facility from players; MDot, do you know of an NBA practice facility which is better?

I have as well, Laramie. I've also heard a number of great comments about the Dallas Mavericks, Orlando Magic, Miami Heat, Los Angeles Lakers etc. practice facilities. And no, I don't know of one which is better, but I also don't know of one that is worse, for all I know they're isn't a superior practice facility because they all serve the same purpose.

Please forgive me, it seems I have struck a nerve of yours. I'm not degrading the facility, I'm just saying I'm not ready to say it's the best in the league even though it very well may be.

I have as well, Laramie. I've also heard a number of great comments about the Dallas Mavericks, Orlando Magic, Miami Heat, Los Angeles Lakers etc. practice facilities. And no, I don't know of one which is better, but I also don't know of one that is worse, for all I know they're isn't a superior practice facility because they all serve the same purpose.

Please forgive me, it seems I have struck a nerve of yours. I'm not degrading the facility, I'm just saying I'm not ready to say it's the best in the league even though it very well may be.

Actually what you're saying is you know nothing, but would still like to tell other people that they're wrong. How about doing some research or just not commenting because the "I'm sure you're wrong, but I don't really know why" bit makes you look lazy and petty.

Is the Christmas stress wearing anyone out??

Don't forget!
A state of the art training facility didn't help the Russian guy beat Rocky.

W8xHjC27YvM

Actually what you're saying is you know nothing, but would still like to tell other people that they're wrong. How about doing some research or just not commenting because the "I'm sure you're wrong, but I don't really know why" bit makes you look lazy and petty.

Nevermind, I don't want to get into it. But I want to sum up the points I was trying to make before I edited my long statement, so hear it goes (notice I said hear, not here because I'm to lazy and petty to know the difference). So; I'm just to busy to look it up not because I'm lazy or petty and that was my opinion I was stating not a fact and I never told anyone they were wrong and I was right but if you can find a statement (an actual statement, not you misunderstanding what I actually meant) where I did say that I will personally pay you $200 (with love of course) for the emotional distress I have caused you and you are correct in one sense because I don't know who has the best practice facility but that's the only accurate statement in your post and those are the only points I have to make in a short/long sentence. Forgive me for saying and so much.

But anyways KT, you win because I hate arguing, especially with people that already have everything figured out. So with that said, I'll let you enjoy your victory in peace because I have to go to the hospital and see my grandfather who fell and broke his hip last night. Love you.

mdot and kt http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PuCSjKh6KQo/TpsfL03tJsI/AAAAAAAAArQ/Z0mYAR407sI/s400/ELT200805210414063323557.JPG

That doesn't prove anything, Charlie Sheen tweeted that he invented Tulsa. LOL it would be more of a 'wow' factor if someone like Lamar Odom practiced at our new facility and said that, it's pretty expectable for someone who actually plays for the Thunder to say that. LOL

Charlie Sheen is a fake hollywood cat, Nazr Mohammed is the real deal.......14 years NBA, 6 or 7 teams, yeah he knows his stuff. Keep in mind, the NBA is the best in the world.

winning!

Charlie Sheen is a fake hollywood cat, Nazr Mohammed is the real deal.......14 years NBA, 6 or 7 teams, yeah he knows his stuff.

I'm done bro, sorry I didn't make that clear. In my post above before I edited it I said "I retract my comments about not being sure that the Thunder have the best practice facility in the NBA" but I forgot to add it back after I edited it. I was wrong and you and Laramie were correct (golf clap and head nod).

Oh, and yes, Nazr has been on 7 different teams.

winning!

LOL I'm surprised someone had not said that already.

Here's a good article - not sure if this is the right place to post -

http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/7353823/thunder

LOL I'm surprised someone had not said that already.

It was suppose to be in all caps too, but the site doesn't allow that, cause people will think you're yelling at them...derp!

New $1 million building permit today for:


CONSTRUCTION OF PRACTICE FACILITIES OUTDOOR SHOWERS AND POOL EQUIPMENT HOUSE TO INCLUDE INSTALL OF OUTDOOR PRACTICE FIELD.

I didn't realize they had already completed the $3.5 million outdoor project which includes:


Training pool, including pool equipment room
Car wash and canopies for players' parking
Masonry brick perimeter fence with motorized gate
Outdoor shower stations
Running hill with synthetic turf for cardio training
Sand Pit with perimeter sand catchers for cardio training

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/thunderpractice1.jpg

I didn't realize they had already completed the $3.5 million outdoor project which includes:


Training pool, including pool equipment room
Car wash and canopies for players' parking
Masonry brick perimeter fence with motorized gate
Outdoor shower stations
Running hill with synthetic turf for cardio training
Sand Pit with perimeter sand catchers for cardio training

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/thunderpractice1.jpg

Yep - it's really cool.

The Thunder bought a bunch of land adjacent to the training facility with no stated plans:

Oklahoma City Thunder: Thunder ownership group purchases land next to practice facility | News OK (http://newsok.com/oklahoma-city-thunder-thunder-ownership-group-purchases-land-next-to-practice-facility/article/5417126)

so much for the theory of taxpayer footing the bill for billionaire owners. ....

Making Noise around the league:

Bulls unveil new Chicago practice facility - Chicago Bulls Blog - ESPN (http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/bulls/post/_/id/20183/bulls-unveil-new-chicago-practice-facility)


The Bulls traveled across the country in the past two years to check out other facilities for inspiration, including the newer college facilities. Bulls general manager Gar Forman said the Oklahoma City Thunder (http://espn.go.com/nba/team/_/name/okc/oklahoma-city-thunder) and the University of West Virginia stood out.