Protracted NBA lockout would be a downer for Oklahoma City Thunder fans
Michael Kimball . “But we're going to grin and bear it and wait and see what happens.”The city manager's office has said each home game has an estimated $1.28 million direct economic impact on the city. If all 41 home games were wiped out, that would total more than $51.5 million just for the regular season.
The city also would be hurt by losing the Thunder's enormous promotional value. The team's playoff run sparked interest in the city, nationally and internationally. Aerial shots of the new Devon tower and the arena on network telecasts projected an image of a prosperous city. Kevin Durant , among the NBA's most popular stars, has become an ambassador for the city after signing a long-term contract with the Thunder.
But that's beside the point. Lost games would mean fans will lose one of their favorite pastimes: following the Thunder. One can hardly wait to see Durant swish a 3-point shot or Russell Westbrook spin through the lane for a layup. Here's hoping it gets settled soon. We're ready to “Thunder Up!” for another NBA season.
Racing for Jane
In previous years, the Thunder has put together a team to support this cause, but we all participated for different reasons. Some of us had friends or family affected by breast cancer; some just wanted to get in a good run for a great cause.
This year, however, we all walked for one reason. Her name is Jane Stanford.
It was only a few months ago when Jane came into the office and broke to us her devastating news. She'd have to take off for
a while; she was just diagnosed with breast cancer.
"It was the end of the season, and I had not had a mammogram in a couple years," Jane said. She had her mammogram, but then needed another, then a biopsy and then she waited for an answer.
The doctor told her husband the news Jane didn't want to hear it if it was bad news. When he found out, "my husband came in and he said, 'Honey, we have some work to do.
The two sides have created T-shirts and bought space on billboards to express their disgust with each other; not shockingly, some messages exceed the bounds of good taste. Just when you thought Illinois coach Ron Zook was on the hot seat and needing to
"I love to play the game and they are taking that away from us," Durant said about the NBA owners. "But we're going to stick together as players. We're not just going to take any deal." The Drew League players wore T-shirts that read, "The Big Payback
