SI's Chris Ballard paints a rather unflattering portrait of OKC

[betts]

Here's the article I was really excited about reading in SI this week. I wonder just how much of OKC he really saw.

Showing he's more than a scoring machine, Kevin Durant has - 01.25.10 - SI Vault

On most mornings Kevin Durant, the best NBA player most people never get to see, drives his extralong conversion van 10 minutes from his house in the suburbs of Oklahoma City to the Thunder's practice facility, which if not technically in the middle of nowhere is at least on its outskirts. He passes sagging power lines and idle oil derricks and vast fields of brittle yellow grass pocked with snow before turning onto a two-lane road and, just past the John Deere factory, pulling into the parking lot of the practice center, a converted roller rink. Unfolding his 6'9" frame from the van, Durant ambles past the odd rabbit lounging in the shrubbery and enters the gym for another day of work, all the while engulfed by the scent of ... well, what is that exactly?

"Dog food," says Durant. "And it stinks, man; it really stinks." As it turns out, there is a hulking Purina plant just down the road, churning out untold tons of pet chow weekly, but Durant takes the, um, ambience in stride, just as he does many other not-so-glamorous elements of playing in the smallest market in the NBA. These include the weather (cold), the nightlife (hello, Denny's!) and the TV exposure (two national appearances this season, or 27 fewer than the Cavaliers), all of which are supposed to be of great importance to NBA players, who are commonly envisioned as a flock of 7-foot homing pigeons all hatched in the same sweaty South Beach nightclub. But Durant claims not to mind. He says that he "loves it here," and once you spend some time around him, it becomes clear that he is not only sincere but also talking as much about the franchise as the city itself.

This is not to say that the jokes don't get old. Like last week, when Durant and a few teammates were at a mall in Dallas and a man walked up to the group, which was outfitted in matching gray Thunder sweat suits, and said, "Oklahoma City—is that a semipro team?" and then started giggling. Last year, when the Thunder began a Nets-like 3--29, such a crack would have at least made sense. This year, however, it merely betrayed ignorance, for the Thunder are not only respectable but also on the verge of being downright good. Despite a nine-man rotation that could be described as the March Madness Traveling All-Stars (average age 23) Oklahoma City finished the week with a 22--18 record, just behind eighth-place Houston in the ultracompetitive Western Conference.

[kevinpate]

Good article on KD, typical nonsensical slaps at OKC to lead it off and close it.
Oh well, can't get too angry at the author. I used to do stupid stuff with little reason now and again.

[LIL_WAYNE_2012_PREZIDENT]

I like how people can make a justified perception of the city in the hours or maybe even day that theyre here

[LakeEffect]

I've never heard of a John Deere factory here... Am I just uninformed?

[betts]

Probably thought the reference went with the ambiance he was trying to create.

[dcsooner]

Folks
Why is it that we must DENY anything that is harsh but TRUE? OKC is on the rise but these portrayals are factual today. That factory does smell. It is well known that OKC has huge open areas mostly attributed to unbridled outward expansion in an attempt to become a large city. The city is not densely populated. Please lets stop being in denial. We are now receiving national exposure, BUT with that comes exposure to our warts. Let's continue the renissance of working towards improving the quality of life in all areas to include entertainment, shopping, etc, but stop the denial and defensiveness when the truth is told

[PennyQuilts]

The irritiation is less about exposing the city's underbelly than the focus upon the negative while ignoring the good. It is like a teenager dwelling on her rival's zits instead of fairly dealing with the whole person. This guy was accurate about a lot he described. But that doesn't mean he gave an accurate portrayal of the city.

[kevinpate]

It's not a matter of denial. The lead in to a rather decent article on KD fit about as well as if a business journal had opened with the dismal record of the team early in the first season, then switched to the main article focus, how Devon gave OKC something to look forward to, what with its honking new nice downtown office complex and how the TIF was handled.

Just wasn't necessary, accurate or otherwise, some piddling connection notwithstanding.

[dcsooner]

It's not a matter of denial. The lead in to a rather decent article on KD fit about as well as if a business journal had opened with the dismal record of the team early in the first season, then switched to the main article focus, how Devon gave OKC something to look forward to, what with its honking new nice downtown office complex and how the TIF was handled.

Just wasn't necessary, accurate or otherwise, some piddling connection notwithstanding.

KP,
I agree the dig at OKC was misplaced in the context of the article, BUT, let us not go into panic mode just because some writer elsewhere, probably disgruntled by the move choses to focus on our negatives. OKC is changing, and we know that, these mean spirited, subtle attacks serve only to make me support my State, City and Team even more.

[betts]

Folks
Why is it that we must DENY anything that is harsh but TRUE? OKC is on the rise but these portrayals are factual today. That factory does smell. It is well known that OKC has huge open areas mostly attributed to unbridled outward expansion in an attempt to become a large city. The city is not densely populated. Please lets stop being in denial. We are now receiving national exposure, BUT with that comes exposure to our warts. Let's continue the renissance of working towards improving the quality of life in all areas to include entertainment, shopping, etc, but stop the denial and defensiveness when the truth is told

I don't mind a few warts being exposed. However, there is no mention that the "converted skating rink" is a temporary home while we're building our new multi-million dollar practice facility. No mention of the fact that he's in a kind of no-man's land between OKC and Edmond. And, really.....Denny's is our only dining option???? When we've got great restaurants all over town, some of which are as good as the one's you'll find in the "really big cities". I think the first few paragraphs are about as negative as anything I've read about OKC in a long time.

[EBAH]

I still wish they were building the practice center in city proper, or even Edmond proper. I do think they get a pretty weird, isolated, experience of the city (aside from a few marketing and charity appearances here and there). I mean they "go to work" in a part of town that is pretty far flung. I mean, if I worked out there, I'd feel a little isolated. All in all, the remarks are expected, and, I agree, somewhat valid. I just think that they might be different if the players and writers actually spent time in the city proper when they are writing these articles, instead of driving in for a game (or to meet with corporate I guess) and driving back to semi rural edmond as soon as they're done.

[soonerguru]

I have seen nothing in that article that is not accurate. This city has a lot of problems that 100 years of poor planning have created. People would love to remain in denial about them, but they're there and they're obvious to anyone who has lived elsewhere.

Do you think Durant had to smell fetid dog food in Austin? Hell no. He does here. The ruling class in OKC thinks it's fashionable to live in Edmond, where the wind whips the smell of Purina in your direction.

I was there just a couple of months ago and the smell of dog food was unbelievable. Perhaps people who live there are used to it, but it is noticeable and unpleasant.

This city is spread out. The "hip" areas are few and far between spaced out miles apart from each other.

There are literally blocks and blocks of vacant space and rundown buildings surrounding our urban core.

We may have more fast food restaurants per capita than any city on earth.

Yes, this is not utopia. We actually have more problems that were not even addressed in that article.

All of this is not to say this is a bad place to live. It's not. But it's no utopia.

We have work to do, OKC.

[betts]

Well, of course we have work to do. But again, sorry, but soonerguru, are you dining at Denny's because there are no other options? I could write an article about virtually every NBA city that is equally unflattering if I pick a couple of square blocks to describe.

That author is either a Sonics' fan with a bone to pick, or he's an urban snob.

[ljbab728]

Do you think Durant had to smell fetid dog food in Austin? Hell no. He does here. The ruling class in OKC thinks it's fashionable to live in Edmond, where the wind whips the smell of Purina in your direction.

All of this is not to say this is a bad place to live. It's not. But it's no utopia.

We have work to do, OKC.

I agree Betts. I'm not sure what soonerguru means by "fetid". Do you mean it's spoiled? I'm not saying the smell is pleasant but that that word emplies something that doesn't apply.

No one suggets that OKC is utopia or that we don't have work to do, but that an article that emphasizes the negative is unfair and biased. I mean, really, talking about brown grass with snow is ridiculous in the middle of winter. How many NBA cities don't have that?

[Thundercitizen]

No need for self-deprecation, the article was clearly slanted and the author had an agenda. It's as simple as that. Balance? There was none to been read. As we're keenly aware, OKC has an image problem...this article is part of that problem. No panic here, but in order to battle bias, stereotyping, and prejudice, you got to recognize it when it happens...call it out.

The author wants KD out of OKC and into a large market. There's more money to be made by writing about professional athletes in markets where readership is potentially much larger than here.

Who of us thinks OKC is a utopia? Correct, none. That's why we're so cognizant of the need for MAPS 3, etc.

Okay, I feel a little better.

[fuzzytoad]

wow, over 5 hours for someone to suggest that MAPS 3 will fix everything

[benman]

I agree Betts. I'm not sure what soonerguru means by "fetid". Do you mean it's spoiled? I'm not saying the smell is pleasant but that that word emplies something that doesn't apply.

No one suggets that OKC is utopia or that we don't have work to do, but that an article that emphasizes the negative is unfair and biased. I mean, really, talking about brown grass with snow is ridiculous in the middle of winter. How many NBA cities don't have that?

haha no kidding. I can only think of Miami, LA, and maybe Houston that dont have cold winters and dead grass. And our winters usually arent that cold. Heck, its been around 60 degrees all week and its the middle January. For some reason people think Oklahoma is like Siberia in the winter. The Oklahoma I know is hotter than hell in the summer and usually pretty mild in the winter. I think the weather is great, but maybe Im crazy.

[adaniel]

Well, of course we have work to do. But again, sorry, but soonerguru, are you dining at Denny's because there are no other options? I could write an article about virtually every NBA city that is equally unflattering if I pick a couple of square blocks to describe.

That author is either a Sonics' fan with a bone to pick, or he's an urban snob.

My thoughts exactly....

Since Mr. Ballard wrote this article about OKC, I fully expect him to write on the weak state of the Houston Rockets....and rip the city's stinking refineries and choking air pollution in the process.

Or the weak attendance of the Sacramento Kings due to that city's surging foreclosure rate.

See how easy it is....any idiot could write an article like this. I'll be the first to admit that OKC's image needs some work. Just this weekend my parents were in town and I was cringing at all the grime and dirt left over from the snowstorm. So how does some backhanded article help anyone, except to tickle the fancy of some snobs laughing at flyover country hokiness.

If he wanted to comment on the area's dismal state of roads on the way to the practice facility, I would actually be more sympathetic, becuase thats a real problem in this area. But writing up about a Denny's or a stinky dog food plant just shows me this guy's got an agenda. Becuase every city he's ever been to smells like roses and has 5 star cuisine on every corner.

[benman]

I agree Betts. I'm not sure what soonerguru means by "fetid". Do you mean it's spoiled? I'm not saying the smell is pleasant but that that word emplies something that doesn't apply.

No one suggets that OKC is utopia or that we don't have work to do, but that an article that emphasizes the negative is unfair and biased. I mean, really, talking about brown grass with snow is ridiculous in the middle of winter. How many NBA cities don't have that?

haha no kidding. I can only think of Miami, LA, and maybe Houston that dont have cold winters and dead grass. And our winters usually arent that cold. Heck, its been around 60 degrees all week and its the middle January. For some reason people think Oklahoma is like Siberia in the winter. The Oklahoma I know is hotter than hell in the summer and usually pretty mild in the winter. I think the weather is great, but maybe Im crazy.

[Richard at Remax]

Did Memphis recieve this much flack when they moved from Vancouver?

[ImTheDude]

I've never heard of a John Deere factory here... Am I just uninformed?

Its a John Deer Landscaping/Nursery

[mugofbeer]

LOL - I guess NYC doesn't have refineries and other factories that stink. I guess LA doesn't either. NYC subways DO smell like lilac's in the summertime, don't they. And let's not forget those well-tended alleyways all over the NYC, Philly and Cleveland metros. Hey, Detroit's downtown is a super place to hang out at night. Good God, what a load of garbage.

[oneforone]

We need to drop this high school mentality of "We Must Be Popular or We Will Die"

No matter what city you are in, you can always find a downside and something to laugh at. I watched Dirty Jobs last night. Mike Rowe was chasing stray chickens on the streets of Miami, Florida of all places. They have a group of city employees that roam the city chasing stray chickens.

How funny is that in trendy Miami of all places?

We need to have a who cares attitude when it comes to articles like this. They can laugh at us from their home office. While we laugh at them for paying $1800 a month for one bedroom apartment.

I am sure the Thunder players are enjoying the low cost of living here. A million dollar home in OKC probably makes a million dollar home in Seattle, LA or New York look like a cottage. Not to mention the players are allowed to blend in society. The most they will hear fan is "Are you with the Thunder? Glad to have you, here. Have a good day, I will let you get back to your business.

[Thundercitizen]

wow, over 5 hours for someone to suggest that MAPS 3 will fix everything

Please re-read the post:
"...etc."

[ddavidson8]

We may have more fast food restaurants per capita than any city on earth.

Never been to Houston huh?