Or maybe this one about the connection between Wanda Durant, her Lifetime movie, the production company behind it (Mandalay), which is owned by one of the owners of the Warriors, Peter Guber. Or Guber's connection to Jay-Z and Roc Nation though another company he partnered with, CAA: The Real Reason Kevin Durant Joined the Warriors - It has to do with Queen Latifah (https://theringer.com/the-kevin-durant-queen-latifah-peter-guber-conspiracy-70bc4d6ddcf0#.5gzufnasy)


...In 2012, Guber partnered with Creative Artists Agency’s sports arm to launch Mandalay Sports Media. The production company that sped The Real MVP from principal photography in February to basic cable in May is Flavor Unit Entertainment, which was founded by rapper and actress Queen Latifah in 1989. Latifah has been a CAA client since 2013. Hmm. KD is repped by Jay Z’s Roc Nation Sports; Roc Nation partnered with CAA from 2013 to 2015...


Don't let my pulled quote dissuade you from reading the entire article, which is truly...illuminating.

Seriously - all talk of "basketball reasons" and "small market vs big market" and "family atmosphere" and "rings" and Westbrook aside, the move was 1000% about... ...shoes. Curious that they became a major topic of conversation for his introductory news conference, where he described himself as "not a[n] $88 player." Nike - KD's REAL employer (http://www.businessinsider.com/kevin-durant-nike-jay-z-roc-nation-2014-9) - was staring down multiple years where the likely championship-winning team was fronted by a guy wearing Under Armour, who has been kicking their ass in market share growth percentage. Here's an article on this from just last month, called "What the Hell has Happened to Nike Basketball?" (http://www.complex.com/sneakers/2016/06/what-the-hell-happened-to-nike-basketball)

The number two guy on the team? Until KD joined, it was Klay Thompson, who wears a Chinese shoe nobody has ever heard of (Anta). The face of Nike on that team? Draymond "Nutkicker" Green, who just this weekend was arrested in Michigan for slapping/assaulting a jeering fan in a bar.

By the way, KD9s were on the shelves last week in Golden State colors, something I have been told usually takes 12 weeks from decision point through production, shipping and distribution. Meaning if true, SOMEBODY knew this was happening, at least 13 weeks ago.

Nike played the percentages, worked with Roc Nation to convince KD to move (and his representation and others also influenced his family and inner circle), and they created a situation where at least there would be a well-liked Nike star on the stage when Curry was accepting his trophy. And by slow-playing the Thunder they kept them from getting a worthy free agent, thereby weakening a likely competitor. It is all very Machiavellian, which is straight-up from the Jay-Z playbook. To put it bluntly, KD was/is a puppet who is desperate to be liked. I still think he is a decent guy; I just think he is too easily influenced by people with blatant self-interest.

The two things that set all of this in motion, IMO?


KD signs with Roc Nation
Nike blows their pitch to Curry (http://fortune.com/2016/03/23/nike-stephen-curry-under-armour/)

If neither (or perhaps only one) of these things happens, things might have turned out different. Honestly, as bad as I feel for us as fans, I feel a tiny bit sad for KD. Except...eff that dude.

OK, I guess I made that postmortem post after all. I'm out.

OK, just one more thing: if you believe any of this, it HAS TO make you consider KD's terrible performance late in game 6 of the WCF in a different light. I'm not saying he threw it; I honestly can't believe that is the case. But if he already KNEW he was going to GSW, it had to be a major distraction to him and weighing on his mind heavily. If OKC wins that series - or even an NBA championship, which was a real possibility at that point - it makes a predetermined Golden State relocation very, very, VERY messy.

^^^^^ Mind. Blown...

^^^^^ Mind. Blown...
Cui bono. Follow the money. The NBA is a massive business. And not just for the owners, teams and players. Massive business = massive intrigue.

^^^^^ Mind. Blown...

+1

Great detective work

OK, just one more thing: if you believe any of this, it HAS TO make you consider KD's terrible performance late in game 6 of the WCF in a different light. I'm not saying he threw it; I honestly can't believe that is the case. But if he already KNEW he was going to GSW, it had to be a major distraction to him and weighing on his mind heavily. If OKC wins that series - or even an NBA championship, which was a real possibility at that point - it makes a predetermined Golden State relocation very, very, VERY messy.

This ^^^ Nothing surprises me anymore - How can a guy go 1 for 7 in last 6 minutes and have 2 critical turnovers in the last minute ? Not totally saying it was rigged, but dang, the stars have lined up.

This ^^^ Nothing surprises me anymore - How can a guy go 1 for 7 in last 6 minutes and have 2 critical turnovers in the last minute ? Not totally saying it was rigged, but dang, the stars have lined up.

KD had a bad offensive fourth quarter, but he played his butt off throughout the series. His defense was amazing. If he was on any level distracted then I just don't see him playing the best defense of his career. He was engaged, not distracted. It also makes no sense to even go up 3-1 if you're already distracted with leaving... I believe KD gave everything he had to give OKC a title.

I believe KD's inner circle influenced him and I am sure Nike, his agents, and family are part of that, but I also believe KD always had the authority to make his own decision... it seems he was impressionable and some swaying could probably influenced him.

Urbanized,

Your post about Nike/Roc-Nation (JayZ) was what had been going through my mind from the beginning.
Add that in with how KD blew it the final 3 games relative to his performance the first 4…

I would think some "big timers" got into KD's head to move to California, because after all, that's where all the gold is. And after all, we're just little ol' Oklahoma. Don't forget that after his decision, the reports were insisting in some form that KD's "entourage" was highly influential in his decision.

Besides the fact that I think the suggestions that KD threw the series comes off as sour grapes and revisionist history (KD played well), KD could have just beat the Warriors, won a title, and still joined Golden State. If he was going to leave a top 3 OKC team, he didn't need to lose that series to do it. He could have given OKC a title and then left for his "next chapter" if he wanted.

To add to that conspiracy theory, it was Draymond that was texting KD all season long trying to lure him to GSW...you know...that other Nike guy...

I agree with dan, that of course KD could have made another decision if he wanted...but it's pretty clear that just about every major voice in his life that wasn't employed by the Thunder were encouraging a departure.

It's all really just sad...He could have been this generation's Tim Duncan. Instead, he'll be closer to this generation's Karl Malone. Not that there's anything wrong with Malone...but if you had to choose between the two, the decision is beyond obvious.

Karl Malone left at the end of his career to chase a ring. A lot of players have done that. But has the star of a top 3 team ever left for the team that beat them? I'm not sure there's a precedent for the weak way KD is going after his rings...

Karl Malone left at the end of his career to chase a ring. A lot of players have done that. But has the star of a top 3 team ever left for the team that beat them? I'm not sure there's a precedent for the weak way KD is going after his rings...

Let alone the founding father of a franchise and one of the most beloved sports figure by one city in recent history.

What he's doing is completely unprecedented, and not in a good way.

Or maybe this one about the connection between Wanda Durant, her Lifetime movie, the production company behind it (Mandalay), which is owned by one of the owners of the Warriors, Peter Guber. Or Guber's connection to Jay-Z and Roc Nation though another company he partnered with, CAA: The Real Reason Kevin Durant Joined the Warriors - It has to do with Queen Latifah (https://theringer.com/the-kevin-durant-queen-latifah-peter-guber-conspiracy-70bc4d6ddcf0#.5gzufnasy)



Don't let my pulled quote dissuade you from reading the entire article, which is truly...illuminating.

Interesting stuff. Peter Guber also owns the Oklahoma City Dodgers (and a part of the LA Dodgers, too). Strangely, he bought the old Redhawks from the company he was CEO of: that same Mandalay involved now with the Wanda Durant movie. So, Guber's been involved with OKC baseball for years now - especially now as the main owner of the team.
http://ballparkdigest.com/201409177723/minor-league-baseball/news/its-official-guber-group-buys-redhawks-okc-to-become-dodgers-affiliate

Thanks for the links to those stories, that was all fascinating reading.

Oh, and what Pete said right before me. I agree 100%. You can't really compare it to anything else. It's just unprecedented in its scope (blatant knife-in-the-back and had nothing really to do with basketball challenges).

I have a hard time thinking KD intentionally threw game 6, but I can buy psychologically not giving his all. But he sure set himself up for the accusation. So I can't really argue with anyone coming to that conclusion.

I never said he threw it; in fact said I couldn't even see that as a possibility. I do think, however, that the mental strain of the whole mess could cause poor shooting and decision-making.

Wonder what the reason was for RW's numbers in game 6?

Wonder what the reason was for RW's numbers in game 6?

Wait until after he leaves, we'll pull some evidence together that he was already mentally gone too... ;)

That's pretty insulting, Dan.

;)

Anybody else surprised that Waiters has not been shown any interest? Odd that a guy with his playoffs has not had a reported sniff.

That's pretty insulting, Dan.

Insulting? The winky smiley face indicates that I'm just kidding around, but I do find some of the speculation more based in conspiracy theory and revisionism than reality. And I certainly didn't call your posts out specifically. There are posts that go beyond what you've said...

There's a lot of possible reasons as to why KD left. There certainly is evidence that he was influenced by those in his inner circle, but he could have also left for personal reasons that he won't disclose. We are all operating from a huge information deficit.

Anyway, what does all this have to do with OKC being a Big League City anyway? ;)

Performance is a funny thing, because it doesn't happen in a vacuum. If you've never performed solo or performed on a big stage with others in front of a lot of people when it really mattered, it's hard to appreciate this reality. You can't turn off your life when you're performing...you can't even completely tune it out. At times you're focused entirely on the objective and at times auto-pilot kicks in (for better or worse) and your thoughts lapse into what you're going to eat for dinner, how your parents are doing, all the virtues and flaws of your Director/Coach, and what will become of you in the future.

So as KD was likely processing how seminal those moments were in Game 5, 6, and 7 for his career and future, with or without the Thunder and with a potential new Partner in the Warriors on the others side of the scorer's table... there's no doubt that affected him.

1 for 7 in the most important home game of your 9-year old career is pretty damning. Not that you threw the game for your future team...simply that you failed spectacularly at locking in during the pinnacle moment of your career and there was a reason why.

there's no doubt that affected him.

Yes, there is doubt that it affected him. It's pure speculation that he was distracted during the playoffs. It was never brought up at the time and, as I've said, KD played good in the series, especially defensively where focus and effort are key.

Edit, nvm.

Anybody else surprised that Waiters has not been shown any interest? Odd that a guy with his playoffs has not had a reported sniff.

I understand that Philly wanted a two year deal but DW wants longer.

Since KD is gone and has one of the five year deals, RW's five year deal is up at the end of the year and each team can only have two five year contracts, who gets the other contract besides it being offered to RW? Adams? VO? Maybe another big free agent if we can get them?

I understand that Philly wanted a two year deal but DW wants longer.

It's going to be interesting to see how this plays out. I think a lot of teams are still skeptical that on Waiters and suspect he's going to revert back to his bad habits, especially if he's on a bad team. But a lot of lesser players have already been picked up and paid. Who else besides the Nets is really a threat still? I guess Philly could get back in it... Also, is Waiters willing to come off the bench on a lesser team? That's probably the appropriate role for him, but I'm not sure he'll accept it. Will he even accept it in OKC now that we won't be contending for a title?

Let's hope everyone underestimates Waiters and OKC can bring him back for 8-11 million per year.

Billy Donovan will have a better handle on the Thunder through his indoctrination into the NBA. Really felt that the timeouts & inbound plays were better managed than with Brooks.

We (fans) have a lot more looking forward. Our thinking is that K. D.'s exit will be devastating. Just want to see a competitive Thunder franchise. Can't wait for K.D.'s return to OKC to play his first game.

Can't imagine what pressure he will endure. Not disappointed with his decision; just question the way he went about the process of disclosing that he was leaving.

It reminded me of LeBron James' setup prior to his announcement that he would take his talents to South Beach.

Since KD is gone and has one of the five year deals, RW's five year deal is up at the end of the year and each team can only have two five year contracts, who gets the other contract besides it being offered to RW? Adams? VO? Maybe another big free agent if we can get them?

That is not the actual rule teams can have as many vet players as they want on 5 year contracts.

They can only have 1 player at a time (under the current cba). On a 5 year deal coming off their rookie deal. (Durants first 5 year deal was under the old cba so they could have him and Russ at the same time on 5 year 2nd contracts)

So they can't give waiters a five year deal. And they can only give one of Adams olidipo Roberson a 5 year deal.

That is not the actual rule teams can have as many vet players as they want on 5 year contracts.

They can only have 1 player at a time (under the current cba). On a 5 year deal coming off their rookie deal. (Durants first 5 year deal was under the old cba so they could have him and Russ at the same time on 5 year 2nd contracts)

So they can't give waiters a five year deal. And they can only give one of Adams olidipo Roberson a 5 year deal.

Thanks for the clarification on this matter. I thought it was only two-five year deals each team, not post-rookie deals.

I would think Adams would be a no-brainer depending on how he plays this year and VO if he still wants to stay with KD leaving. Who knows, maybe we don't offer any five year deals.

Thanks for the clarification on this matter. I thought it was only two-five year deals each team, not post-rookie deals.

I would think Adams would be a no-brainer depending on how he plays this year and VO if he still wants to stay with KD leaving. Who knows, maybe we don't offer any five year deals.

VO will be a restricted FA next year. If we match any other offer he stays.

VO will be a restricted FA next year. If we match any other offer he stays.

Which is one reason OKC acquired him. They control his rights, unlike Serge.

One of the best letters I've read in a while -

http://newsok.com/a-thunder-fans-letter-to-clay-bennett/article/5509676

One of the best letters I've read in a while -

http://newsok.com/a-thunder-fans-letter-to-clay-bennett/article/5509676

It's an interesting read with some good points.

I guess one thing I keep coming back to is the hypocrisy of fans -- there was almost widespread ecstasy about trading Serge Ibaka -- a foundation of the franchise who has done nothing but a great citizen and willing player. But the organization showed him no loyalty and traded him... and everyone was happy with it. Yet, KD determines to leave and it's all about him being selfish, and on a larger level, that players in general are disloyal.

I do not think KD handled his exit well. I think it was a weak move to go to the Warriors. But the double standard we hold for players to be loyal when Thunder fans are fine with any trade that makes the team better is clear hypocrisy... If Presti had dealt KD for LeBron and Kevin Love then Thunder fans would have praised the move, not scorned the management for being disloyal. What am I missing?

One of the best letters I've read in a while -

http://newsok.com/a-thunder-fans-letter-to-clay-bennett/article/5509676


“In these first eight years we’ve often wondered why the fan bases of the other 29 teams in the league seem so jaded. Now we know. We just hadn’t been around long enough. Kevin Durant and his fat-cat entourage finally taught us just how ugly NBA business can be. Sure, we’ve seen some players come and go, a few we wished would have stayed. We’ve seen players we’d like to have here refuse to come. And we saw a well-respected coach with a good record get unceremoniously canned. But nothing like this. Nothing like one of your star players, after not finding it within himself to defeat Golden State in the Western Conference Finals, then turnaround and show his willingness to step on the throats of Thunder fans in a rush to hop on the Steph Curry Love Boat out of town. Now that’s cold. I guess we should have seen it coming. We just didn’t want to. Now we know.

Great article that featured a letter from Mr. Turner.

That's love & life, you don't see it coming because we were so blind. Love will blind you. Don't let Durant cause you to turn on Westbrook because of KD's decision; then, he will have taken Westbrook out along with himself.

All that Longhorn play he did with Thunder fans (OU/OSU) was real. Durant is a Texas Longhorn; Austin no longer liked him because he left Texas' capital city.

Glad that OKC finally made the big leagues in one sport; not hockey (NHL), not football (NFL) and not baseball (MLB AL/NL).

Man, it was a sigh of relief to know that we no longer had to be a development city for Houston, Dallas, Chicago or St. Louis in some sport. However, the best of cities can get punked!

Make OKC one of the best places in the country to live; we're not a New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Houston, San Francisco-Oakland or a Dallas-Ft. Worth.


We're OKC!

I don't know why, but I found that letter very cringe-worthy. Something about it seems entitled and fake (sound familiar?). What was that weird insinuation that he may not re-up on season tickets about? Literally thousands lined up behind him to take his seats.

The only letters needing sent are the ones to KD, telling him how much we are thankful for what he did for this city, but also very unthankful for what he just did to this city.

^^^This

I get what he is saying in most of that letter though. For most people there was an 'innocence' if you will about professional sports. I remember way back when that first trade happened (Jeff Green and I can't remember the name of the other guy, big European guy, one that hit someone with a chair during Olympics?) There were a lot of people who were just floored. How could you give away members of your team? It was like every member was a personal relative. I remember the article in the paper telling people, you have to get used to this, this is how pro sports are. So people got used to team members coming and going, but there was always that 'thing' about KD, that he was ours and our team was built around him. We took him at his word about wanting to be like Tim Duncan.

So yeah, things have once again changed. Now Russell could step up and become our Tim Duncan. I really, really hope he does. But even he is going to have to be here a long time before the state puts that kind of trust in him. They may never. And maybe that isn't so much of a bad thing, just something that would have happened eventually. It just stings at first but now blinders off and go forward.

I get what he is saying in most of that letter though. For most people there was an 'innocence' if you will about professional sports. I remember way back when that first trade happened (Jeff Green and I can't remember the name of the other guy, big European guy, one that hit someone with a chair during Olympics?) There were a lot of people who were just floored. How could you give away members of your team? It was like every member was a personal relative. I remember the article in the paper telling people, you have to get used to this, this is how pro sports are. So people got used to team members coming and going, but there was always that 'thing' about KD, that he was ours and our team was built around him. We took him at his word about wanting to be like Tim Duncan.

So yeah, things have once again changed. Now Russell could step up and become our Tim Duncan. I really, really hope he does. But even he is going to have to be here a long time before the state puts that kind of trust in him. They may never. And maybe that isn't so much of a bad thing, just something that would have happened eventually. It just stings at first but now blinders off and go forward.

Nenad Krystic

Krstic

Also I believe he threw the chair at an opponents player, and when asked later he said he threw the chair because he thought he was a fan. Doesn't help his case. Lol.

Yeah, that guy. If I'm remembering right, he and Green were among the first real trades and people were shocked that the team would just trade them away. 'Just trade away "our boys"?' Now it isn't such a big deal, role players coming and going. Harden was rough for whole other reasons. Also, anyone remember the article in the Oklahoman about the Aunt Bea's? Very funny article, but along the same lines I'm talking about. The writer never thought he would have to deal with older women getting on to him for 'talking bad about our boys' and the 'they are trying hard, don't talk about them like that' and such.

So as a community we are growing up as a pro sports community. And this departure of KD's did cause a huge step away from the romanticized view of our team and a step toward a more cynical view of it. I doubt that we would ever have the situation of a sports writer making a 'Mr. Unreliable' headline and coming under such an avalanche of hatred for it. And in a way it is a shame. The relationship was a special thing and now it will still be special, but never to that degree.

And also, Durant threw away something special too. He will NEVER be defended like he was here, for example the above mentioned headline. No way is anyone anyplace else, (especially GSW) will force a newspaper to not only retract but apologize for a headline like that for him.

Yep, I always remember being shocked by the Green trade. I was teaching and I checked on my break. I knew it was a good trade, but I felt a loyalty to Jeff Green. That was definitely part of the end of my innocence with the team.

A study that proposes a new 10,000-seat arena to replace the State Fair Arena:

Pete created a more detail version on OKCTalk in the Development & building section - http://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=42468&page=2

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/arena2.jpg

The Oklahoma City fairgrounds has really intensified its efforts to maximize the full potential of the 400 acre complex.

Oklahoma City is as big league as you can get when it comes to facilities and future ambitions to equip the fair park complex with the latest apparatus to capture the economics of the horse show industry. Our fairgrounds will continue to attract the best in the horse show industry (convention central) as well as a potential new home for ice hockey & basketball.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/arena7.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/arena6.jpg

What are your thoughts on this project?