Thunder and fans bring the noise
Oklahoma City's Russell Westbrook (0) reacts after dunking the ball in the fourth quarter in front of Lamar Odom (7) of L.A. during the basketball game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round of the NBA playoffs at the Ford Center in Oklahoma City, Thursday, April 22, 2010. Oklahoma City won, 101-96. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman
When people ask me what is the loudest and most intense atmosphere for games I have covered, I usually say OSU basketball games at Gallagher-Iba Arena during the height of success in the Eddie Sutton era. I think my answer is about to change.
The Thunder beat the Lakers on Thursday, 101-96, in the team’s OKC playoff debut and the crowd was spectacular. I have never heard such a large arena be so loud. When the Thunder took control in the second half, the fans never let up. It was awesome. I will remember to bring my earplugs to the game on Saturday.
Here are some of the photos Sarah Phipps, Bryan Terry and I took at the game.
Click here to see a gallery with even more pictures from the win.
The Oklahoma City Thunder stand for the National Anthem before the basketball game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round of the NBA playoffs at the Ford Center in Oklahoma City, Thursday, April 22, 2010. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman
Oklahoma City's Jeff Green and Andrew Bynum of Los Angeles jump for the tip at the start of the basketball game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round of the NBA playoffs at the Ford Center in Oklahoma City, Thursday, April 22, 2010. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
Oklahoma City's Serge Ibaka and Nick Collison, left, defend Pau Gasol of the Lakers during the basketball game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round of the NBA playoffs at the Ford Center in Oklahoma City, Thursday, April 22, 2010. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
Oklahoma City's Kevin Durant goes past Kobe Bryant, center, and Derek Fisher of Los Angeles during the basketball game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round of the NBA playoffs at the Ford Center in Oklahoma City, Thursday, April 22, 2010. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman
Oklahoma City's Russell Westbrook (0) dunks over L.A.'s Lamar Odom (7) during the basketball game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round of the NBA playoffs at the Ford Center in Oklahoma City, Thursday, April 22, 2010. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
Laker coach Phil Jackson argues a call during the basketball game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round of the NBA playoffs at the Ford Center in Oklahoma City, Thursday, April 22, 2010. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
Oklahoma City's Kevin Durant celebrates as dejected Kobe Bryant (24) walks down court following the basketball game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round of the NBA playoffs at the Ford Center in Oklahoma City, Thursday, April 22, 2010. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
To see more photos from the game, click here.
(Seriously, there’s lots more good stuff. You should follow this link).
-Nate Billings
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Hey the oklahoma city thunder is the best team ever to be in the nba