Well, somehow this posted before I finished the heading. I think these two articles compliment how the Thunder are an important part of an improving national image. It's nice to see the phrase: "around the league"
From the Washington Post:

The Thunder (42-23) has yet to win a championship or a playoff series for that matter, but it has already created a team-building strategy that is referred to around the league as “the Oklahoma City model.”

http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports...r4T_story.html

And the Philadelphia Inquirer:

"I want to use that as a blueprint for us," Collins said. "I want us to be built like Oklahoma City was built."

http://articles.philly.com/2011-03-1...collins-sixers