We Have A Name!

[Turanacus]

Ropers or 1-8-Sevens are both pretty cool, compared to Thunder

[betts]

At least we have a team. There's the bottom line. We'll all get used to the name, whether we like it or not. The NBA is full of names I think are worse: Heat, Magic, Wizards, Pacers, Clippers, Nuggets, Nets. Jazz in SLC and Grizzlies in Memphis is dumb, and we're just used to the Lakers in LA. Lakers is a pretty lame name if you think about it.

[AFCM]

I think too much emphasis is being put on the name. In a few years, people won't care about the name because it will be synonymous with OKC. By that time, people will see the relevance of Thunder/Bison/Barons/Whatever to OKC because that is the name of the OKC ______; circular reasoning in a way, I know.

Imagine if the name "Lakers" wasn't taken already, and OKC decided to call the team the OKC Lakers. People would be losing their minds. However, when people hear "Lakers" they immediately think of LA and all of the success. No one stops to consider the meaning behind the name; it's just a name.

Imagine if you were named any differently. What if, instead of AFCM, I was PeterGocena; would that make any difference on how you perceive me? Hopefully, people form ideas about me based upon their interactions with me and not my name.

OKLAHOMA CITY...

[ddavidson8]

Exactly, the fact that LA has won so many championships and is the home of Magic Johnson makes the Lakers a universally known product. Success will put the disappointment in the choice of names aside.

[FritterGirl]

Ropers or 1-8-Sevens are both pretty cool, compared to Thunder

Pardon my ignorance, but what the blank is a 1-8-Seven?

[BFizzy]

187 is the numeric code used by law enforcement officials, particularly in the U.S. state of California. The number is used for this purpose because Section 187 of the California Penal Code defines the crime of murder. It is usually pronounced One-Eight-Seven.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/187 (murder)

[ddavidson8]

187 is the numeric code used by law enforcement officials, particularly in the U.S. state of California. The number is used for this purpose because Section 187 of the California Penal Code defines the crime of murder. It is usually pronounced One-Eight-Seven.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/187 (murder)

See, it makes perfect sense.

[Turanacus]

Pardon my ignorance, but what the blank is a 1-8-Seven?

nice "blank" usage

[BDP]

I don't necessarily love "Thunder", but I still haven't heard of a better name.

I agree. The funny thing about this is people will be like "Thunder is so ghey", then the next thing that comes out of their mouth is something like Barons:



Yeah, that gets me fired up! Can't wait for the chamber music intro and free tea giveaways!

Or maybe they mean Sasha Baron Cohen:



Or maybe they'll suggest Marshals:



Well, maybe we'd at least get a parade at every game.

Of course, there's always this guy who spells it with two L's:



For some reason they all find that stuff less lame than thunder:



Ok, that's lightning, but obviously the Oklahoma City Lightning would be MUCH gheyer than Thunder, unless of course they're thinking of this guy:

[sooner52]

Thunder is "ghey" because it is not unique to Oklahoma...and oh so predictable. Oklahoma doesn't have any more thunder than any other spot on the planet. I can just see all of the beer belly-d, tribal tattooed meat heads at the game yelling and screaming when Thunderstruck is played at the beginning - because suddenly they get to re-live every single high school football game that has ever been played since speakers were invented.

[JWil]

Thunder happens all over the USA.

Heat - less common than thunder.
Bucks - regional animal, Less common than thunder (50 states)
Hawks - regional animal, less common than thunder (50 states)
Bobcats - regional animal (50 states)
Lakes - Common, just like thunder
Suns - Common, just like thunder
Hornets - Common, just like thunder.

And I can argue those names are more common or just plain non-sensible for their current host cities:

Heat: It's really about the Humidity in Miami. Actual temps are higher in places like OKC, Houston and Phoenix.
Bucks: There's not a place in this country that's safe to drive at night because of these animals.
Hawks: All over. Plus, the team was the St. Louis Hawks once.
Bobcats: Them and cats like them are all over.
Lakers: Have you ever even been to LA?
Suns: Common the world over except for the upper and lower edges of the planet.
Hornets: They're everywhere, plus the nickname comes from a Revolutionary War nickname. Name makes no sense in NO.

Anyway, my point is this: While Thunder might not be the most original name, there's no denying that Thunder plays a huge part in daily life in OKC. The storms we have here are absolutely brutal and only Florida can top us in the lightning/thunder department. I mean, the thunderstorms we have here sometimes literally sound like warzone/bomb stuff. I think the name is totally appropriate and if they package it right (hint: Buffalo in the logo and as a mascot) it could be an amazing deal.

[hipsterdoofus]

I don't really think thunder is gay...I liked thunderbirds better but will live with thunder...glad they didn't pick barons...Just wish they'd be done with it.

[BFizzy]

Nice work, BDP.

[NativeOkie]

Oklahoma has more Thunder than where I currently live.
S. California, it never thunders or do we see lightning. Which is why I do not understand the lighting bolts on my cities football team. The Chargers.
My wife would put credit cards on the side of the helmet.

[BFizzy]

My wife would put credit cards on the side of the helmet.

That would definitely make more sense.

[OKCisOK4me]

Thunder is "ghey" because it is not unique to Oklahoma...and oh so predictable. Oklahoma doesn't have any more thunder than any other spot on the planet. I can just see all of the beer belly-d, tribal tattooed meat heads at the game yelling and screaming when Thunderstruck is played at the beginning - because suddenly they get to re-live every single high school football game that has ever been played since speakers were invented.

I beg to differ. You have members of this website that do not live in Oklahoma anymore suggesting they miss it here because of the type and regularity of thunder here as opposed to where they reside now. Also, a team name like Thunder would be good to associate the rest of the region (specifically Tornado Alley states) that does not have a pro team to call their own--virtually every state north of Oklahoma. So in essence, Thunder would be synonymous not just with Oklahoma but the plains states in general. This can create a wider fan base and hopefully diversify other fans choices of a team to root for in other states. It's a clear choice. Still not my favorite, but I can do with it.

[betts]

I'm fine with it. I've always loved thunder and lightning. When I was a teenager, we used to have porch parties when there were thunderstorms going on, and now I always go out to the porch during a thunderstorm if I can. It's loud and impressive. I just wish it ended in "s". I'm with JWil too. If they use a bison or a thunderbird as the logo/mascot, I'll be a lot more fine with it. I just don't want some cloud with lighting coming out of it as the logo, or worse.......Thor.

[BDP]

Thunder is "ghey" because it is not unique to Oklahoma...and oh so predictable.

What would be an example of a non-ghey, unpredictable name, that is completely unique to Oklahoma?

In fact, how can it be unique to Oklahoma and unpredictable, because, well, wouldn't most predict that the name would in some way be associated with Oklahoma? Certainly, everything unique to the state would also be associated with it and, therefore, predictable?

Honestly, the only truly predictable thing in all of this is that a significant amount of people will complain about it.

[andy157]

nice "blank" usage

What the heck is a "blank"?

[plmccordj]

I take it back.

[Thunder]

I am highly sure that Bison is the mascot.

That would be fun if we have the mascot Bison on center of court, spotlight on him, Thunderstruck playin, loud thunder and lightning flashin before every home game.

[betts]

I am highly sure that Bison is the mascot.

Because? I'm hoping you're right, because that's the logo and mascot I want, but wondered why you think you know.

[Kerry]

89ers would have been the best name, period.

[GuyB]

Oklahoma City Twisters or Tornado's would be more fitting to the area but I'm sure will get used to Thunder

[Intrepid]

89ers would have been the best name, period.

Not with the 76ers already established. And the fact that it would've simply been a recycled team name....from a different sport.