Bisons and wookies and wolves, oh my!
So the Oklahoma City Thunder unveiled its new mascot — Rumble the Bison — at the game Tuesday night. It’s a wooly Bison, who, as the story goes, was struck by lightning in the Wichita Mountains. Instead of getting killed by the lightning strike, Rumble was transformed into a half-man, half-beast creature who can soar through the air to dunk a basketball and play the drums. Now, I have two thoughts on this. One, we are talking about some serious marketability here. The first thing Rumble needed to do was find a good agent. While the ideal job for a man-bison might seem like NBA mascot, I think Rumble may be leaving some lucrative film, television and speaking opportunities on the table. Although he likely doesn’t talk, so maybe we’ll have to scratch the speaking opportunities. He could always try to catch on with a band in need of a drummer. Either way, a leaping man-bison surely could rocket to the level of Hollywood elite in no time. I hate to say it, but I think Rumble may be selling himself a little short. My second thought, and it pains me to say this as well, is that there’s just a certain weird/creepy look to that mascot. When I first saw him, I immediately thought, “Chewbacca!” Upon further examination, he’s definitely got some Chewy in him, but there are other candidates as well if you’re trying to put your finger on just who Rumble resembles:
1. Rumble vs. Chewbacca
-Why they’re a match: The flowing locks are the main factor here, although Chewbacca has a pronounced upturn with his bangs/forehead hair, while Rumble combs down to cover his forehead. Rumble can dunk off a trampoline, Chewbacca can probably dunk flat-footed, or at least with just a little hop like Yao Ming.
2. Rumble vs. Teen Wolf
-Why they’re a match: The hairstyles line up almost perfectly here, right down to the flowing cheek hair. Plus, Teen Wolf also can soar through the air for dunks. Only drawback to this pairing, while Rumble, as far as we know, will always be a man-beast, Teen Wolf is prone to lose his powers and become a second-stringer during the biggest rivalry game of the year.
3. Rumble vs. Planet of the Apes
-Why they’re a match: This is a match-up with definite sleeper potential. While our Planet of the Apes character displays a more groomed, clean-cut look and smaller nose profile, we know for sure he’s not turning into a human any time soon. In fact, we can’t say with certainty that this guy can’t handle the rock.
4. Rumble vs. Steven Hill
-Why they’re a match: The former Arkansas Razorback didn’t stick around for long with the Thunder. Does anyone know where his is now? Doesn’t it seem a little too coincidental that Hill is released and all of the sudden a shaggy-haired mascot with basketball skills is introduced? I’m just sayin’.
So what are your thoughts? Who best resembles Rumble? Chewbacca, Teen Wolf or Planet of the Apes guy? Steven Hill? Or maybe someone else. Sound off in the comments section.
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chewbacca w/ grizzly adams a close second!