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

[LIL_WAYNE_2012_PREZIDENT]

OKC really needs 24 hr nightlife that would be awesome

[ljbab728]

OKC really needs 24 hr nightlife that would be awesome

Maybe for a small segment of the population but OKC just isn't large enough to support that and investors aren't going to do it and lose money.

[Mr. T in OKC]

Mr Ballard likes to make up his own facts. In the article, he refers to OKC as the smallest NBA market. New Orleans has a smaller metro population and a smaller television market. Saltlake City has a smaller metro population and only has a larger television market because it includes the whole state of Utah, whereas OKC has to split the Oklahoma Market with Tulsa. Perception often seems to outweigh the facts though. However, I do feel a professional writer shoud check his facts before publishing an article in such a high profile magazine.

[semisimple]

Mr Ballard likes to make up his own facts. In the article, he refers to OKC as the smallest NBA market. New Orleans has a smaller metro population and a smaller television market. Saltlake City has a smaller metro population and only has a larger television market because it includes the whole state of Utah, whereas OKC has to split the Oklahoma Market with Tulsa. Perception often seems to outweigh the facts though. However, I do feel a professional writer shoud check his facts before publishing an article in such a high profile magazine.

Salt Lake City has a larger metropolitan area population if you consider the CSA figure (which, of course, is what everyone on this site does when quoting OKC's population), which was 1.71 million in the 2008 estimate. Thus, it is perfectly reasonable and probably more correct to say that SLC is bigger than OKC. New Orleans, on the other hand, is indeed smaller by any official Census projection.

[Mr. T in OKC]

Salt Lake City has a larger metropolitan area population if you consider the CSA figure (which, of course, is what everyone on this site does when quoting OKC's population), which was 1.71 million in the 2008 estimate. Thus, it is perfectly reasonable and probably more correct to say that SLC is bigger than OKC. New Orleans, on the other hand, is indeed smaller by any official Census projection.

I suppose I can forgive him about placing OKC behind SLC, but for New Orleans, he must PAY! His statement was still off. What he should have said is that OKC is the second or third smallest market depending on weather you are looking at Television markets, Combined Statistical Area, or Metropolitan Statistical Area. Then I would be satisfied. lol

[Bunty]

Yupp, I remember my treks to New Jersey. I'll never forget the endless miles of businesses and strip malls along Route 22 that never left 1962. Frozen in time.

Mile after mile of steel mills abandoned for decades along the Great Lakes, such as the Buffalo area, is something else, too.

[Bunty]

OKC really needs 24 hr nightlife that would be awesome

OK, for starters, let's make it legal for the bars to open and close when they want to on Fridays and Saturdays. And if all goes well, make it the rest of the days of the week. My guess that a chief source of opposition to take seriously will come from the police chief. He may complain his department isn't budgeted to patrol the bars at all hours of the night.

[Bunty]

Yes, Fred has made it clear before that he will only be happy with a 24 hour city like New York, Chicago, LA, or Miami. OKC will never be like that and I'm not sure we want everything that that lifestle brings with it.

Don't the casinos around OKC stay open 24hr? IF so, that would be the place to go hang out after the bars close. Of course, age restrictions would still enter in.

[LIL_WAYNE_2012_PREZIDENT]

Don't the casinos around OKC stay open 24hr? IF so, that would be the place to go hang out after the bars close. Of course, age restrictions would still enter in.

could they serve alcohol?

[Larry OKC]

Dog food smell? I have worked at 122nd & Santa Fe (Broadway Ext) going on 10 years and have NEVER noticed any odor in the area at all. Does one have to be within a half block radius? Would think if it was that bad, would be able to smell it from miles around.

[kevinpate]

Dog food smell? I have worked at 122nd & Santa Fe (Broadway Ext) going on 10 years and have NEVER noticed any odor in the area at all. Does one have to be within a half block radius? Would think if it was that bad, would be able to smell it from miles around.

Perhaps it comes and goes. I know that was the case with a different oder source in south Norman. Wasn't there all the time, but when it was, katy bar the door. On those days, walking even a short distance from a Cross Center bldg to the adjoining parking was downright painful due to the stench in the air.

[dmoor82]

alright this Douchbag on ESPN this morning,he will not say OKC or Thunder all he will say is The team formally known as Seattle,or the former sonics!!!!come on d-bag you are a national commentator on the largest sports network in the world!!! GROW UP!

[fredfredburger]

alright this Douchbag on ESPN this morning,he will not say OKC or Thunder all he will say is The team formally known as Seattle,or the former sonics!!!!come on d-bag you are a national commentator on the largest sports network in the world!!! GROW UP!

sounds like you're the one who needs to grow up.

everyone with some form of common sense knows that the "Thunder" won't be staying here much longer

[warreng88]

everyone with some form of common sense knows that the "Thunder" won't be staying here much longer

Tell me, why do you think that? Is it because of lack of corporate sponsorship, ticket sales, team improving or something else? Because as of right now, we are #11 in the league in attendance and #8 in the league in percentage of sold out tickets. And that is with almost 1,000 less seats than last season. The Thunder also eclipsed their win mark from last year and have a good chance at making the playoffs.

[fredfredburger]

Tell me, why do you think that? Is it because of lack of corporate sponsorship, ticket sales, team improving or something else? Because as of right now, we are #11 in the league in attendance and #8 in the league in percentage of sold out tickets. And that is with almost 1,000 less seats than last season. The Thunder also eclipsed their win mark from last year and have a good chance at making the playoffs.

Uh, no. It's because Clay is failing to meet all the clauses of the contract.

Also, attendance? lol! do you mean all those people dressed up like empty seats they keep showing on TV when the announcer says it's a sold-out game?

[okcpulse]

Uh, no. It's because Clay is failing to meet all the clauses of the contract.

How so?

Also, attendance? lol! do you mean all those people dressed up like empty seats they keep showing on TV when the announcer says it's a sold-out game?

Went to a game last year. The house was packed. Ten years ago people like you believed OKC could NEVER get a team. NOW you say that they won't be around long.

Our turnstile counts alone are higher than other cities.

[warreng88]

Uh, no. It's because Clay is failing to meet all the clauses of the contract.

Also, attendance? lol! do you mean all those people dressed up like empty seats they keep showing on TV when the announcer says it's a sold-out game?

What clauses of the contract?

Also, the amount of tickets sold is what matters. They are making money on the team, whether or not people show up.

[okcpulse]

sounds like you're the one who needs to grow up.

everyone with some form of common sense knows that the "Thunder" won't be staying here much longer

No, you don't want the Thunder to stay. You don't want OKC to succeed. I bet if you were a dictator, you'd sign an executive order to starve Oklahoma's economy and breed the state right out of existence.

[fredfredburger]

Our turnstile counts alone are higher than other cities.

Prove it to me.

Every game I've been to, the place is barely half full, and every televised game shows huge empty sections, while calling it a sold-out game. I know that they are technically sold out when they make that announcement, but showing all the empty seats is embarassing.

[okcpulse]

Prove it to me.

Every game I've been to, the place is barely half full, and every televised game shows huge empty sections, while calling it a sold-out game. I know that they are technically sold out when they make that announcement, but showing all the empty seats is embarassing.

The place is barely half full? So that puts attendance at about 9,000. The turnstile counts last year, released from the NBA were in the 15,000 range.

[fredfredburger]

No, you don't want the Thunder to stay. You don't want OKC to succeed. I bet if you were a dictator, you'd sign an executive order to starve Oklahoma's economy and breed the state right out of existence.

LOL

If I was a dictator? wtf is wrong with you people?

This is Bennet's fault, not mine. I'm not making a wish or anything.

You people seriously need to grow up and claw your way out of whatever fantasy world you live in. OKC is full of some of the most delusional people in the world.

Or I guess you can just ignore anything I say, call me names and rant away to your little heart's content.

Here's a tip: When you cover your ears and scream so you can't hear the reality around you, it helps to stomp your feet and close your eyes also.

[okcpulse]

LOL

If I was a dictator? wtf is wrong with you people?

This is Bennet's fault, not mine. I'm not making a wish or anything.

You people seriously need to grow up and claw your way out of whatever fantasy world you live in. OKC is full of some of the most delusional people in the world.

Or I guess you can just ignore anything I say, call me names and rant away to your little heart's content.

Here's a tip: When you cover your ears and scream so you can't hear the reality around you, it helps to stomp your feet and close your eyes also.

Chillax, I was just messing with you. But you still didn't provide info on how Bennett's not meeting the clauses in his contract.

[warreng88]

LOL

This is Bennet's fault, not mine. I'm not making a wish or anything.

How is this Bennet's fault? He legally bought an NBA team. He then asked for a new arena which other owners had asked for in the past. The new arena proposal was $500 million which is not out of the realm of possibilities for an NBA arena. The city of Seattle passed a law after they built a new Mariners and Seahawks stadium stating they would not let public funds be used for a new arena. He had just spent $350 million to buy the basketball team, why would he shell out another $500 million for an arena? "Legally" they did everything they were supposed to do regardless of if it was nice or not. He paid the city $45 million and said he would pay another $30 million if renovations were made to Key Arena. That never happened so he ended up paying about $400 million to buy the team, not including moving/relocating costs, rents, etc.

[kmf563]

You wouldn't smell it at 122nd and Santa Fe. It doesn't reach that far. But their practice facility is basically right next door. It STINKS. But man, if they think it smells now, wait until a rainy spring day. Or a hot summer day with rain. And then throw in the 8 zillion bradford pears someone thought needed to be planted all over Edmond. Whew! Are they in for a treat! I live within a mile of that plant and dear Lord does it smell horrible! But when they made that plant it was in the middle of nowhere. They just built around it without consideration of the smell. I didn't think about it when I picked my house. Some days are bearable, some days I want to hurl.

I don't see what the big deal is. He did a well written article about Durant and the NBA, not OKC. His comments were little facts, not glamorized or demeaning...just statements.

Some of you should just follow our NBA players on Twitter. They ham it up. And they all say good things about OKC. They have a good time, they like the people, they love how relaxing it is and that they can feel at home. The road is for the party time.

And no, our casinos are not 24 hours. Remington would be the closest to them but it closes at 3. And it doesn't have tables.

[fredfredburger]

The place is barely half full? So that puts attendance at about 9,000. The turnstile counts last year, released from the NBA were in the 15,000 range.

according to the article here:

"But "packing the Ford Center” is misleading.

According to NBA turnstile counts published recently on CBSSports.com, Oklahoma City finished 16th in "actual attendance” out of 30 teams.

According to NBA turnstile counts, the Thunder averaged 14,415 fans a game.

That’s one area the Thunder should improve."