Oklahoma City, In the Press

[dankrutka]

It's not about Kevin changing jobs. It never was. It was about playing a team for a spot in the finals but hanging out with that team during the series more than his own team. It was about Kevin being a big reason we blew the 3-1 lead. It's about in retrospect it appears Kevin had mentally already gone to the GSW during that series... Ignore reality to write your own narrative.

Talk about writing your own narrative. First, there is zero evidence KD spent more time with the Warriors than the Thunder. I don't think there's even a confirmed report that KD actually spent time with Draymond. Second, KD shot poorly in the series, but also played the best defense of his entire career. Saying KD didn't try to beat the Warriors reeks of revisionist history. Third, everyone gets *why* going to the Warriors is controversial, including Slater who has said as much before.

So, yeah, l'll stick with the knowledgeable NBA beat writer knowing about sports.

[Jake]

"The viciousness was silly."

wut

[Plutonic Panda]

http://www.afar.com/magazine/where-t...s-to-visit-now

[Jake]

It's hilarious that their "trackback" quotes TLO saying "Oklahoma City is the most romantic place in the country. Or, at least according to one of those meaningless clickbait lists."

"at least according to one of those meaningless clickbait lists."

The irony.

[traxx]

l'll stick with the knowledgeable NBA beat writer knowing about sports.

Opinions man

[Rover]

Yes, but there are knowledge based rational opinions and then there are total wild ass speculation opinions.

[dankrutka]

Yes, but there are knowledge based rational opinions and then there are total wild ass speculation opinions.

+1

Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but informed opinions should carry more weight. Slater is a professional whose opinions come from deep NBA knowledge. Of course, fans can disagree with his conclusions, but you should have a lot of knowledge if you're going to enter the fray. Attacking Slater's knowledge just shows ignorance because he *is* knowledgeable. Some of the speculative stuff up thread that lacks any supporting evidence should be treated as such.

[traxx]

+1

Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but informed opinions should carry more weight. Slater is a professional whose opinions come from deep NBA knowledge. Of course, fans can disagree with his conclusions, but you should have a lot of knowledge if you're going to enter the fray. Attacking Slater's knowledge just shows ignorance because he *is* knowledgeable. Some of the speculative stuff up thread that lacks any supporting evidence should be treated as such.

No, I don't have any evidence, it happened last season. I guess I could look around the internet and try to dig some up. It was fairly common knowledge at the time, though.

And this dude may be knowledgeable about other things but he seems to be tone deaf on why OKC is upset about how Kevin handled things. Just because someone covers a sport or writes opinion pieces about the sport doesn't mean they always know what's going on. It's the same kind of thing when a "knowledgeable" sports media person says Sam Bradford is a bust. But the person who says that doesn't understand the situation and is just looking at the surface. Just because someone writes about something doesn't mean they understand it.

[OKC Talker]

In lieu of telling the Thunder fans to take it outside, here's a blurb about 21C which Travel and Leisure magazine has listed as one of the best new hotels in the world!

http://www.travelandleisure.com/slid...-oklahoma-city

At the end of every year, we at Travel + Leisure are busy taking stock of the past 12 months and putting together the It List, our annual collection of the best new hotels around the globe. This year, the competition was fiercer than ever. The 44 hotels and resorts ahead are making waves for different reasons—some for killer design, others for culinary bona fides or an unbeatable location—but all are inspiring the rest of the hospitality world to take note.

The 2017 It List covers 31 countries and six continents. It took us to dizzying new heights (the Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar in Oman sits on a canyon rim a mile above sea level), pristine private islands (like Félicité, where Six Senses Zil Pasyon is nestled among hulking granite boulders), and even the back of an elephant (at Meghauli Serai, a Taj Safari Lodge in Nepal, that’s the transportation method of choice for rhino-spotting). There are several closer to home—11 standout properties are represented in the United States.

Despite the stellar field of competitors—or perhaps because of it—choosing the best of the best is no easy feat. It starts with our master list: more than 400 of the most exciting major hotel openings and renovations of 2016. Our team combs through it, debating the merits of each and selecting a (relatively) short list of about 100 places. Even then, the work’s not done until we’ve gotten a firsthand account of each property: Is the service up to snuff? The décor on point? The amenities so thoughtfully selected that a stay feels not just relaxing, but indulgent?
That’s not to say it’s just about luxury. Fancy soaps and 600-thread-count sheets are nice, but they’re not what make your stay memorable. What we’re looking for is that extra something special, that particular alchemy that happens when a carefully considered guest experience, a strong sense of place, and a distinct, even risk-taking brand identity meet. That’s why you’ll find budget-friendly upstarts—such as the design-forward Robey in Chicago, or the gallerylike Atix Hotel in La Paz, Bolivia—alongside ultra-luxe grande dames like the revamped Ritz Paris.

The list that follows is our definitive guide to the hotels that aren’t just gateways to a place, but destinations in their own right. Find your next vacation stay in the slideshow ahead, then share your favorites with us on social media using #TLItList.

[dankrutka]

No, I don't have any evidence, it happened last season. I guess I could look around the internet and try to dig some up. It was fairly common knowledge at the time, though.

And this dude may be knowledgeable about other things but he seems to be tone deaf on why OKC is upset about how Kevin handled things. Just because someone covers a sport or writes opinion pieces about the sport doesn't mean they always know what's going on. It's the same kind of thing when a "knowledgeable" sports media person says Sam Bradford is a bust. But the person who says that doesn't understand the situation and is just looking at the surface. Just because someone writes about something doesn't mean they understand it.

First, if you can't find evidence that Draymond Green and Kevin Durant spent more time together than KD did with the team from a credible source *anywhere on the internet* then that is not called "common knowledge," that is called an unsubstantiated rumor.

Second, sure, it's your perspective that Slater's tone is off-base and that's a fair point of disagreement. However, I don't think there's any way you can argue Slater is just looking at this from the "surface level" considering he was literally the closest reporter to the situation as the Oklahoma's lead Thunder beat writer all the way through KD's announcement. You can say you disagree with his assessment, but saying *he* doesn't understand it, seems hard to argue. Personally, I have read pretty much all of Slater's stuff and listened to him talk about the KD situation on a couple podcasts. I think he has a really good grasp on KD and the OKC fanbase, but that's just my opinion.

And, sorry for the off topic posts, this will be my last one on this topic on this thread. I'll take it outside.

[Rover]

But...but...many people say

[ABCOKC]

Not commenting on this issue in particular, but as far as I'm concerned Slater was never that great of a reporter. Pretty much wrote the same generic drivel we get from every sportswriter at the Oklahoman save Berry, a nut (but an entertaining one); and Jenni, a clown who'd rather write about some OSU player and his mom and fried chicken or whatever it was than do any real reporting.

I'm sure he's a fine person, but his utterly bland coverage of the Thunder while he was here didn't do anything for me. I see no reason why we should give any credence or thought to what he has to say about anything, let alone Oklahoma City and its residents.

[dankrutka]

Not commenting on this issue in particular, but as far as I'm concerned Slater was never that great of a reporter. Pretty much wrote the same generic drivel we get from every sportswriter at the Oklahoman...

Slater wrote detailed high-quality video breakdowns of specific sets and tendencies in the Zach Lowe mold. I don't think anyone else at the Oklahoman was doing writing anything like it. Not only were the articles different, but they were really sophisticated. I found his coverage detailed and unique.

Blah! I said I wouldn't comment again. Sorry!

[traxx]

First, if you can't find evidence that Draymond Green and Kevin Durant spent more time together than KD did with the team from a credible source *anywhere on the internet* then that is not called "common knowledge," that is called an unsubstantiated rumor.

Second, sure, it's your perspective that Slater's tone is off-base and that's a fair point of disagreement. However, I don't think there's any way you can argue Slater is just looking at this from the "surface level" considering he was literally the closest reporter to the situation as the Oklahoma's lead Thunder beat writer all the way through KD's announcement. You can say you disagree with his assessment, but saying *he* doesn't understand it, seems hard to argue. Personally, I have read pretty much all of Slater's stuff and listened to him talk about the KD situation on a couple podcasts. I think he has a really good grasp on KD and the OKC fanbase, but that's just my opinion.

And, sorry for the off topic posts, this will be my last one on this topic on this thread. I'll take it outside.

Just because someone is a beat writer and close to the team/situation etc. doesn't mean they get it. I've read plenty of beat writers for OU and the Thunder who have had articles that were off base because they didn't understand or get it.

[AP]

No one ~*gets it*~. Only traxx.

[traxx]

http://thebiglead.com/2016/07/06/kev...tate-warriors/

“I know Russell (Westbrook) was bothered by — and some other teammates were too — of, like, there was some knowledge there that Draymond (Green) was in contact with Kevin (Durant) all season long and they’re in a playoff series and I know there was some conversation around the Thunder team of ‘Hey man, this guy kicked Steven Adams in the nuts twice in this series and what are you doing hanging out with this guy? What’s the relationship? We’re trying to beat these guys.’”

it also shows the difference between someone like Durant competing for a championship and someone like Michael Jordan or Kobe Bryant doing the same.

[OKC Talker]

Another example of our lawmakers promoting Oklahoma to the nation...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/...b05cf0f400bebc

[TheTravellers]

Another example of our lawmakers promoting Oklahoma to the nation...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/...b05cf0f400bebc

Him, Brecheen, and Silk are the 3 worst legislators now that Kern's gone, not a surprise. I'm planning on writing to my Sen and Rep this weekend asking him to vote no on tons of bills, most of them authored/sponsored by these a-holes.

[Bunty]

Him, Brecheen, and Silk are the 3 worst legislators now that Kern's gone, not a surprise. I'm planning on writing to my Sen and Rep this weekend asking him to vote no on tons of bills, most of them authored/sponsored by these a-holes.

But they are who the voters want to represent them in their districts. Bennett won reelection 54 to 46%, Silk 57 to 43%, Brecheen by 53.6%.

[bchris02]

It looks like Oklahoma City finally made it on the GaWC Sufficiency List. For years I wondered why Tulsa was on the list but OKC was not.

http://www.lboro.ac.uk/gawc/world2016t.html

[AP]

That's a nice list of peers.

[OKC Talker]

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/22/s...r-science.html

"Many at the Oklahoma City march seemed motivated by local issues. Lisa Pitts, a teacher, said she was marching because of concerns about the state’s education budget and to support science education.

“We are not a poor state,” she said. “We should not be 50th in everything.”

But concerns about the country’s direction under Mr. Trump were present there, too.

“I don’t want to go back to having dirty air and water,” said Rene Roy, who formerly worked for the state’s environmental regulator and was concerned about Mr. Pruitt’s plans for the E.P.A."

[OKC Talker]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/...b0f02c3870edbe

A rare complimentary description of OKC (albeit a very small subsection of the yuppiest parts of it) which I think does more good than harm. Unfortunately the writer's preconceptions about the city are still the norm in most of the country.

[soonerguru]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/...b0f02c3870edbe

A rare complimentary description of OKC (albeit a very small subsection of the yuppiest parts of it) which I think does more good than harm. Unfortunately the writer's preconceptions about the city are still the norm in most of the country.

Actually I think her prose is more helpful than if it read like a Chamber of Commerce piece. She pretty much torches her own misconception in the article.

[ABCOKC]

Actually I think her prose is more helpful than if it read like a Chamber of Commerce piece. She pretty much torches her own misconception in the article.

Definitely agree, but it does seem like she could have gone with "Hey, you probably don't know anything about Oklahoma City, right? Well it's actually alright" rather than "So like you I thought Oklahoma was a godforsaken hellhole. But it's actually alright"

But maybe it is better this way. It is in HuffPo after all, and many of her readers are likely starting with negative pre-conceptions instead of admitting they don't know anything about OKC.

Minor point, but is anyone else a tad annoyed at being referred to as "Oklahoma City, Oklahoma"? It just seems so unnecessary, and we're one of the domestic cities for which the AP Style Guide recommends omitting the state from the end. Not a huge deal, but as we're in the stages of building a brand and conveying our identity to the rest of the country it would be nice to be recognized as "Oklahoma City" as opposed to a town that happens to be in Oklahoma.

Certainly not complaining about the article though. One of the more positive one's I've seen from a national publication that doesn't read like a puff piece.