Anthony Slater is leaving the Oklahoman to cover the Warriors. Big loss for us, he was an excellent beat writer... Hoping they can find a good replacement.

I say we all riot and burn his jersey!!! ..... Or would that be his keyboard?

Who on earth wouldn't leave the Oklahoman to go work for a much bigger / better paper in the Bay Area?

Circulation for San Jose Mercury News is 4 to 5 times as large, there are multiple major league teams in that area, etc. etc.

^^^

Right! Isn't that what most of the people in journalism (newspaper, TV) strive to do? Move from a smaller market to the bigger players in the hopes of achieving better pay, more recognition, etc.? I don't think it has a thing to do with our sports teams.

^^^

Right! Isn't that what most of the people in journalism (newspaper, TV) strive to do? Move from a smaller market to the bigger players in the hopes of achieving better pay, more recognition, etc.? I don't think it has a thing to do with our sports teams.

It cannot be compared to what KD did. This is a good move for Slater, financially and professionally. KD's move was neither, as it was a terrible move for the long term value of his brand.

KD's move was neither, as it was a terrible move for the long term value of his brand.

Everyone says this like this is a done deal. Unfortunately, as weak as KD's move was... people forget quickly. While there are some slight differences in the situations (e.g., KD is going to the best team that's already won a title), LeBron took a ton of heat for forming a super team. People got over it. If the Warriors win 75 games and KD is the Finals MVP, I would bet his brand comes out fine in 29 markets.

It stinks for OKC fans because KD's move is likely to linger for a long time... most other NBA markets will move on. The Warriors will be villains, but so was LeBron.

Who on earth wouldn't leave the Oklahoman to go work for a much bigger / better paper in the Bay Area?

Circulation for San Jose Mercury News is 4 to 5 times as large, there are multiple major league teams in that area, etc. etc.

My point exactly. OKC for all the progress is not comparable to any of the league's cities outside of maybe 2. Hence the inability to recruit, retain, high profile players and it seems journalists.

My point exactly. OKC for all the progress is not comparable to any of the league's cities outside of maybe 2. Hence the inability to recruit, retain, high profile players and it seems journalists.

Great point. In fact, why would any idiots ever choose to live anywhere besides like 5 cities? What idiots! *heavy sarcasm*

My point exactly. OKC for all the progress is not comparable to any of the league's cities outside of maybe 2. Hence the inability to recruit, retain, high profile players and it seems journalists.

Your constant crapping on OKC is getting tiresome.

OKC may not have the most nightclubs and strip bars as many larger cities. But that's not necessarily a bad thing. Other than nightclubs and strip bars, just about any lifestyle you can find in another city can be found in OKC to some extent.

Your constant crapping on OKC is getting tiresome.

OKC may not have the most nightclubs and strip bars as many larger cities. But that's not necessarily a bad thing. Other than nightclubs and strip bars, just about any lifestyle you can find in another city can be found in OKC to some extent.

Look I am an OK native. Your statement about strip bars as a differential element of city life speaks to the ignorance of some who cannot accept that Oklahoma and Oklahoma City lack in many areas diversity and vibrancy found in much larger cities. I do not expect my comments to be universally accepted but that does not make them untrue.

To refute the inability to get qualified free agents to come to OKC, Al Horford was on his way but kd has drooled all year about playing with GSW. He couldn't commit, but if he would have, Al would be playing for the Thunder. There has been a few in their prime, David Lee and Tyson Chandler for example, who wanted to come to OKC but for other reasons were not picked up.

It cannot be compared to what KD did. This is a good move for Slater, financially and professionally. KD's move was neither, as it was a terrible move for the long term value of his brand.

I think you might've misunderstood me. What I was trying to say was that I thought people employed in the broadcast business--especially TV--tend to strive for the larger markets generally to improve their careers and perhaps achieve fame. I wasn't speaking at all to the KD situation or making any type of comparison.

I think you might've misunderstood me. What I was trying to say was that I thought people employed in the broadcast business--especially TV--tend to strive for the larger markets generally to improve their careers and perhaps achieve fame. I wasn't speaking at all to the KD situation or making any type of comparison.

Sorry, miscommunication of the Internet. I was quoting your post as a general reply to the thread, not to directly refute what you were saying. These threads often have several conversations happening at once and I was trying to ensure my response was clear which conversation I was discussing.

Sorry for the confusion.

Slater made Thunder coverage second to none last season - a true professional. I see today the Oklahoman is literally advertising for a replacement on their public pages. Good luck on your new venture Slate! Going home to ply your trade where you dreamed is an incredible opportunity.

Sorry, miscommunication of the Internet. I was quoting your post as a general reply to the thread, not to directly refute what you were saying. These threads often have several conversations happening at once and I was trying to ensure my response was clear which conversation I was discussing.

Sorry for the confusion.

No worries whatsoever! :)

The tweet below has been sent out by several sports writers. Nothing verified yet from team, Royce, Woj, etc, but gives some sort of hope! Skeptical until I see it from a more verified source.

"Russell Westbrook is set to sign an extension with OKC. Details are with the league for final approvals. Press conference is tomorrow." - @AdamJosephSport

The tweet below has been sent out by several sports writers. Nothing verified yet from team, Royce, Woj, etc, but gives some sort of hope! Skeptical until I see it from a more verified source.

"Russell Westbrook is set to sign an extension with OKC. Details are with the league for final approvals. Press conference is tomorrow." - @AdamJosephSport

This first to report this rumor was a Sonics blogger (who has a history of incorrect reports) and then a Thunder blogger spread the news. It's hard to imagine these two bloggers scooped every other journalist for this story, but I hope they did. ;) I guess we'll know soon enough.

This first to report this rumor was a Sonics blogger (who has a history of incorrect reports) and then a Thunder blogger spread the news. It's hard to imagine these two bloggers scooped every other journalist for this story, but I hope they did. ;) I guess we'll know soon enough.

Yep, highly skeptical. At this point I'll take any good news I can get! Hard to believe, but wishful thinking.

Todd Lissenbee on The Franchise was saying tonight (about 746pm) that the Thunder contacts he deems "reliable" are hearng, but not yet ready to confirm, the same thing. So it seems *something* is going on...but no one official ready to drop the hammer.

Apologies to those bloggers... They may have been right.

Now it's getting real! http://yhoo.it/2avQLHh

This is from the best source in the NBA.

Woj reporting 3 year $85mm with player option

Woj reporting 3 year $85mm with player option

Report is he's locked thru 18-19 season... ? Who was saying earlier today we couldn't keep/attract superstars ?

DC, you out there ?

Woj reporting 3 year $85mm with player option

This would obviously be a huge commitment from Russ... but one downside to the player option is OKC would be in the exact same position next summer. Still, I'll be really excited to see Presti build around Russ.

I think Adams, VO and Robes want to stay. They also want to be paid.

I think Adams, VO and Robes want to stay. They also want to be paid.

Well, they all have restricted free agency coming up, so they don't really have a choice if OKC wants to keep them.

It's official - Russ is signing the extension: http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/17214921/russell-westbrook-oklahoma-city-thunder-serious-talks-new-deal

Huge moment for OKC even if it only buys us an extra year or so. Can OKC go ahead and rename the new boulevard, "Russell Westbrook Loyalty Way"?

Yay!!!!

Up until he leaves and everybody here gets salty about it.

The only people salty are the "fans" bragging about OKC's downfall and lack of ability to keep/attract superstars and free agents shortly after KD's departure. Their entire narrative is proven false overnight, just like the expectation of KD staying. The NBA is too insane and unpredictable to make sweeping judgments about entire franchises and cities.

This move is huge and says a lot about Russell and a lot about Presti. I have to say, this also makes KD's move look even weaker (if that was even possible at this point).


That MVP trophy might as well be shipped to OKC now.

Ok boys I will be outside the Peake erecting a statue of Westbrook posterizing KD. Come join if you wish.

This move is huge and says a lot about Russell and a lot about Presti. I have to say, this also makes KD's move look even weaker (if that was even possible at this point).

It's huge for this season.... We could be in the same boat again come next season. I'd love to see Russ retire his jersey here but the Lakers are going to be calling his name over the next couple of years I'm afraid.

Still going to be an exciting season now that we can at least stop worrying about whether we will have a superstar for the 2016-17 campaign.



That MVP trophy might as well be shipped to OKC now.

Agreed..... Russ is going to be an even bigger monster this year. I just hope he doesn't look like Moses after he returns from the top of the mountain for 2017-18. He may set a record for most consecutive 48 minute games played this season... LOL

Sign Russ then go get Blake Griffin and we may end up better off!

Wow. I'm stunned and never thought he'd sign an extension (if my earlier posts weren't clear enough).

However, this only extends him one year, after 2018 he'll be able to test the market again, although the incentive to stay is $30.6 million for that final third year... Even if he does leave after 2018, I thank him for the effort and commitment. Guess I'm getting me a Westbrook jersey after all! :p

It's huge for this season.... We could be in the same boat again come next season. I'd love to see Russ retire his jersey here but the Lakers are going to be calling his name over the next couple of years I'm afraid.

Still going to be an exciting season now that we can at least stop worrying about whether we will have a superstar for the 2016-17 campaign.

We'll have him at least until 2018. It's a three year deal with the third being a player option. That way he'll be at his 10 year super max.

We'll have him at least until 2018. It's a three year deal with the third being a player option. That way he'll be at his 10 year super max.

He can still be traded if things aren't going the way both parties want them to go.

Sign Russ then go get Blake Griffin and we may end up better off!

LOB City 2.0!

Sign Russ then go get Blake Griffin and we may end up better off!

There was a time I would have been excited about seeing Griffin in a Thunder uniform... And to an extent I guess I probably still would be.... But last season made me re-evaluate Griffin a little and I'm pretty happy with what we already have, and the potential we have, in our current front court.

This team, franchise, city, is earning/ solidifying its reputation as a pass thru place/team. This City and the Thunder it appears will be mediocre for lot's of reasons, but no team/city is afraid to poach talent from little ole OKC. Big league city OKC is not

Hahahahaha.


My point exactly. OKC for all the progress is not comparable to any of the league's cities outside of maybe 2. Hence the inability to recruit, retain, high profile players and it seems journalists.

HAHAHAHAHAHA

Hahahahaha.



HAHAHAHAHAHA

Look I am really happy that Westbrook stayed FOR NOW, BUT, my point is STILL valid. We have retained ONE Star player, We have given away 3-4 VERY PRODUCTIVE or STAR players who DID NOT Want to stay here for different reasons. (Harden, Jackson, Durant, Ibaka) that IS NOT A GREAT RETENTION RATE (for you graduates of Oklahoma high schools that is 20%). We have not signed ONE STAR Free Agent player, we have been spurned by several. Laugh and make light of my comments BUT no one can refute the TRUTH of what I am saying, OKC so far HAS NOT attracted nor retained high caliber players (except Westbrook) and even he was in question. I hope that narrative changes but until we get a player that other teams WANT and WE GET, my positon remains OKC HAS NOT ATTRACTED NOR RETAINED A PLAYER OF ALLSTAR OR NEAR ALLSTAR LEVEL.

We did retain WB and Durant the first go-around...

We did retain WB and Durant the first go-around...


YEAH WE COULD MATCH ANY OFFER (SEE KANTER) SO we had the leverage not the player

Look I am really happy that Westbrook stayed FOR NOW, BUT, my point is STILL valid. We have retained ONE Star player, We have given away 3-4 VERY PRODUCTIVE or STAR players who DID NOT Want to stay here for different reasons. (Harden, Jackson, Durant, Ibaka) that IS NOT A GREAT RETENTION RATE (for you graduates of Oklahoma high schools that is 20%). We have not signed ONE STAR Free Agent player, we have been spurned by several. Laugh and make light of my comments BUT no one can refute the TRUTH of what I am saying, OKC so far HAS NOT attracted nor retained high caliber players (except Westbrook) and even he was in question. I hope that narrative changes but until we get a player that other teams WANT and WE GET, my positon remains OKC HAS NOT ATTRACTED NOR RETAINED A PLAYER OF ALLSTAR OR NEAR ALLSTAR LEVEL.

HAHAHAHAHA.

Dude, take your incredible, condescending Negative Nancy schtick somewhere else.

YEAH WE COULD MATCH ANY OFFER (SEE KANTER) SO we had the leverage not the player

If I remember correctly, Russell signed a 5 year deal during the season. He never put himself out there as a free agent. kd did the same for that matter, he signed at one minute after midnight on July 1 five years ago.

HAHAHAHAHA.

Dude, take your incredible, condescending Negative Nancy schtick somewhere else.

Dude no can do, I am a season ticket holder and well I am from Oklahoma (Lawton) and am an OU grad, sorry but Oklahoma is in my DNA

If I remember correctly, Russell signed a 5 year deal during the season. He never put himself out there as a free agent. kd did the same for that matter, he signed at one minute after midnight on July 1 five years ago.

Don't argue with him. He's fragile and has shown a well-ingrained propensity to ignore the facts that don't fit his negative narrative about this city.

"If you ignore the fact that we retained Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and Serge Ibaka, then I'm kind of right. Let's just pretend the franchise started in 2015, though. See? Now I'm only partially correct, though you have to ignore the retention of Westbrook. For all you Oklahoma high school graduates, that means I'm wrong, but I'll still pretend to be right."

Dude no can do, I am a season ticket holder and well I am from Oklahoma (Lawton) and am an OU grad, sorry but Oklahoma is in my DNA


Then how about you make valuable contributions to the discussion without being a condescending jerk to people who live here? Then, we'd be happy to have you. You seem to think you can make a temporary effort of half-heartedly praising the city here and there when you're called out on your consistently negative, disdainful attitude, but then you revert right back to being a jerk with nothing worthwhile to say.

Ha ha, you're going to include Reggie Jackson in that list? We didn't want him anyway, cancer

Russ just posted this to his Twitter feed... Very, very cool he's coming back and now we can get on with the business of rebuilding this team around him.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CpBd4ZxUAAE-6zw.jpg

Press conference today around 4pm west side of the 'Peake.

Then how about you make valuable contributions to the discussion without being a condescending jerk to people who live here? Then, we'd be happy to have you. You seem to think you can make a temporary effort of half-heartedly praising the city here and there when you're called out on your consistently negative, disdainful attitude, but then you revert right back to being a jerk with nothing worthwhile to say.

I take umbrage with your comments. I am a truth person, many on this board want to camoflague the truth (not to mention free speech and the freedom of dissent) you know 1st amendment kind of stuff. No one has ever denied the progress being made in OKC or the Thunder but I do know Oklahoma and there is much work to do in terms of making the CITY a place where young, rich,, urban Blacks want to stay.. Walking around in denial of that fact does nothing to bring to the attention of change makers the need to make change. King 183 states I ignore the facts but no one has disputed MY facts, I SAID OKC has failed to SIGN ANY All Star or near ALL Star players TO COME TO OKC from another FRANCHISE WHEN OTHER TEAMS ARE ALSO RECRUITING THEM (EVEN WHEN THE TEAM HAD TWO OF THE FIVE BEST PLAYERS IN THE LEAGUE) WHAT PART OF THAT STATEMENT IS NOT FACTUAL? OKC is not the ONLY NBA City/Team that has trouble retaining and/or signing high profile free agents ( Portland, N.O., Memphis, Sacramento, Denver, Charlotte to name a few)

Ha ha, you're going to include Reggie Jackson in that list? We didn't want him anyway, cancer

Doesn't appear to be a cancer in Detroit. Could it have been, he just did not want to play here or play second team?

Doesn't appear to be a cancer in Detroit. Could it have been, he just did not want to play here or play second team?

He wanted to start, and that wouldn't happen with RW on the court.

Press conference today around 4pm west side of the 'Peake.

Official announcement says 4:30

What a relief to have Russell Westbrook as the Thunder's leader for the next few seasons.

Official announcement says 4:30

Personally, it'd be nice if this time was also going to be used for the organization to announce new uniforms designed by Russ himself. I'm sure he could conjure something more interesting and unique than what they currently have.

This would obviously be a huge commitment from Russ... but one downside to the player option is OKC would be in the exact same position next summer. Still, I'll be really excited to see Presti build around Russ.

Dan, he is locked up through the 2017-18 season. option year for 2018-19.

Dan, he is locked up through the 2017-18 season. option year for 2018-19.

Remember that even though the contract may physically be signed, none of us know exactly what the details are until the official announcement.

I do believe you are correct though, but it is too soon to speak in absolutes.

Personally, it'd be nice if this time was also going to be used for the organization to announce new uniforms designed by Russ himself. I'm sure he could conjure something more interesting and unique than what they currently have.

The Nike apparel deal with the Thunder starts the 2017-2018 season. There is a good chance there will be a rebranding/redesign of some sort.

Ramona Shelburne
‏@ramonashelburne

"One key thing on the structure of Westbrook's deal. If he were to re-up after 2018, it would set records. Approximately 5 years, $204 mil"

Dan, he is locked up through the 2017-18 season. option year for 2018-19.

Yes.

Russ is in OKC in both 2016-2017 and 2017-2018. He has a $30 million player option for 2018-2019. However, unless Russ expresses a long term commitment, OKC could be in the same spot next summer as this one.

Dan, he is locked up through the 2017-18 season. option year for 2018-19.

That doesn't stop him from being traded in the 17-18 season if Presti doesn't think he will stick around... He's not going to risk losing a second player of that caliber to FA while getting nothing in return.

This contract has basically bought us a year... Next year we are in the same boat we were in until this morning.... With that said. I do think it's a win/win for both sides.