Hornets hysteria
Not everything NBA-related in Oklahoma City these days has to do with the Sonics.
There’s another team near and dear to hearts here that just happens to be in the playoffs.
Watch my latest video commentary or read below:
Like many of you, I’ve been watching the NBA playoffs.
Well, more precisely, I’ve been watching the Hornets in the NBA playoffs.
I don’t know about you, but it’s been tough watching the Men of Teal. They’ve blown through the first two games of their Western Conference series against Dallas. They’ve dominated. They’ve annihilated. As a result, they’ve left me bummed.
Just think what might have happened a year ago if Peja Stojakovic hadn’t gotten hurt. Or David West. Or Tyson Chandler. Or Chris Paul.
This just in: CP3 can play.
Those of us here in Oklahoma City know how tantalizingly close we were to seeing a playoff team. A really good playoff team. Instead, the Hornets had their injuries, returned to New Orleans, got well and have had a season to remember.
But you know what? Instead of being bummed, Oklahoma City should be proud. After all, the Hornets wouldn’t be where they are right now without OKC.
Think about it: when the franchise landed here seeking refuge from Hurricane Katrina, the Hornets had a starting lineup of Chris Paul, J.R. Smith, David West, Jamaal Magliore and P.J. Brown.
Now, they start Paul, West, Peja, Mo Peterson and Tyson Chandler. That is a serious upgrade, and that is due in large part to Oklahoma City.
Had the Hornets had a bad first year in OKC, or even the promise of a bad second year here, do you think they would’ve been able to land Peja? He was a big free-agent catch that cost the Hornets $64 million over five years. And Chandler was no cheapie either. The Hornets took on the remaining five years and $54 million of his contract.
The Hornets couldn’t have made those deals without Oklahoma City’s support.
Heck, they couldn’t have gotten Peterson or super sub Bonzi Wells, guys who never even played in OKC, without the financial stability that our fair city provided them.
So, we could be a little bummed as we watch the Hornets tear through the playoffs, but we shouldn’t be. Oklahoma City had a big hand in the team’s success, and we deserve to share in it.
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Comments
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=3341578
“That morning, a columnist from the Oklahoman, Jenni Carlson, wrote that Reid was benched for being soft, for not playing through injuries, for being coddled by his mom. And, to prove her point, Carlson wrote Rajika had fed her son chicken after the Troy game.
In a lot of ways, it was a cheap shot — because Rajika had fed no one but herself and because Carlson hadn’t even been at the Troy game.”
Ohh, Bonzi Wells wouldn’t have played there. What do you want? A cookie? Seems like you’ve had your fair share.
Jenni, your work is so great. It ranks among some of the best sports writing in America. It’s only a matter of time before you get a chance to venture out to either coast. Keep up the great work. So fabulous, so amazing, so wonderful.
So, what do you deserve exactly? You never really answered your own question? If you want to be happy for their success, be happy. It’s a free country. If people want to be happy for the Giants beating the Pats even though they’re not Giants fans, they can, no need to host a team to feel that way.
You provided a place, they showed up and played, what’s the big deal? It’s a business. It’s about money. Houston could have easily supported them, or Memphis, or any nearby big city.
Trust me, if the Clipper and the Lakers, who are in the same division, like the Rockets and Hornets are, can share Staples, it could have been done. Did Oklahoma City make a shot for them last year or something?
If you want a replica Larry O’Brien trophy just ask. Or some cash, who knows, doesn’t hurt. A pay raise? Why not?
This just in: CP3 can play. Lame.
This just in: Jenni Carlson probably has never watched an NBA game, been to one, or even owns a television. She just depends on her sources.
Nice job Jenni. You deserve everything you have. Wait, the Hornets owe you something for your coverage last year. Because you know, if not for them, what would you have written about?
Games you never went to? Peace. You don’t have the integrity to post this anyways, way to be a part of Free Speech and limit my right. I might as well be in China.
Jenni I don’t understand why you keep acting like you know how to act you will never get the part , now if you want to show some integrety as a journalist than exercise your right and have an opinion but please don’t treat your fellow Oklahomans like they are idiots.Stand up for what’s right and treat people like they know whats going on outside the city limits not like they live in Beijing. Don’t embarass yourself or your people any further take a job at the library and fade off into the sunset.
Dear Jenni,
I am a huge sports fan who grew up in the great state of Missouri and rooted on my St. Louis Baseball Cardinals for many years. It was so great to have a team with such great tradition. Then as a teenager I made the Pacific Northwest my home and grew to love my Supersonics, Seahawks, and Mariners. My point is this, these teams are our original home town teams and were not taken from another city. Oklahoma City is truly a fine place with wonderful people that deserve their own original NBA team. I am so heartbroken over possibly losing my Supersonics! The Supersonics have been a true Seattle original for 41 years. They even won an NBA title for the great people of the Northwest. To take that team away from those fans is truly a tragedy, and certainly not the way I remember people of the midwest.
I grew up a midwesterner and I think of you all as the best people around. Midwestern people are the best barbecuers and would offer a delicious porksteak to anyone walking by. There is a friendliness and kindness in Oklahomans and Missourians that you just don’t find in every part of America. So yes you want the NBA, but at the expense of the wonderful people of New Orleans or Seattle? As a fellow Missourian and a Show Me State Guy all the way, it just wasn’t right to take from others to benefit yourself. It just wasn’t neighborly at all! I sincerely wish for the day that you get your own NBA team. I will truly be happy for you. Your very own team, not someone else’s team. Not a team from a child in the Northwest or New Orleans who may have a Kevin Durant jersey hanging up, or a Chris Paul Jersey hanging up. But, your own team. That is the greatest feeling, rooting for your own home grown team. I have been so lucky to experience that and wouldn’t want any other. So as you cheer for Chris Paul, you should be happy for the people in New Orleans, not sad that you couldn’t steal them from New Orleans. As you cheer for the Seattle Sonics draft, you should be happy for the wonderful people of the Pacific Northwest and not think of it as your team, because it isn’t your team, shouldn’t be your team, and never will truly be YOUR team, even if they come to your fine city. I truly wish for you to have your own team Jenni! That is the purist and most exciting thing! The Seahawks are our team, the Mariners are our team, the SEATTLE SUPERSONICS are our team! I find it fascinating to see how truly honorable and midwestern like Mr. Clay Bennett thinks he really is. He sure doesn’t act like one of us. He sure doesn’t have that decency and kindness that I have known you all to have. It really is a shame. I hope for you, Clay Bennett fails in extracting our SEATTLE SUPERSONICS, as you will be so much happier picking a new name and jersey for your original expansion team awarded only to you. The history building of a team that is truly yours is so sweet and the memories are truly awesome! Sure beats the guilty feelings of stealing an icon from another city, and more importantly from their fans. How could you truly embrace that! The true Midwesterners that I knew sure couldn’t.
Sincerely,
Ruben-A very loyal St. Louis Cardinals, Seattle Supersonics, Seattle Mariners, and Seattle Seahawk fan. P.S. Since I gave you my email at your request, I would sure love a neighborly and kind response from you back. Thank you.
Uhm, what? They’re good because of their players, not because they played in OKC for a little. OKC got out as much of the Hornets as the Hornets got to play for just a little while there.
It’s a bit of a stretch. Like your reporting. You should go on trying to steal teams away with lying owners, sounds like a common thread in your town.
Bobby’s mom drives all the way to see her son, hasn’t eaten all day, and eats some chicken and you “editorialize” the bit. How professional. Hope your career never gets any further than that waste of a town sweetie.