Desmond Mason, a real Oklahoman sports hero
I am Boomer Sooner to the core. Like literally, to the core of my being. I had the same procedure as Wolverine and instead of adamantium, I had crimson and cream melted to my skeletal frame. True story.
I love the University of Oklahoma about as much as anything. I graduated from there. Every family member I have is a Sooner fan. Heck, my wife was a four-year member of the OU cheer squad and the captain for the last two (yes, I’m bragging). I don’t like orange and it doesn’t matter what shade it comes in. OU is just a part of me. I can’t help it.
But I absolutely love Desmond Mason. Seriously, he’s one of my all-time favorite basketball players. Forget that he went to that school up north. Honestly, it just made me like him more. How backwards is that? Desmond going to OSU made me like him more. Next I’ll tell you that I have Colt McCoy bedsheets and didn’t think there was a clip on Johnny Rodgers’ punt return in The Game of the Century.
Why do I like him so much you ask? The truthful answer is… I have no idea. He was just kind of our guy around here. Most of the time, those type of guys are the ones that hit the big shots, make game-changing plays or are just all-around studly. But in Dez’s case, while a fine basketball player, it was more just about a connection. 
When we were embarking on our first NBA journey back in 2005 with the Hornets, we didn’t have a clue what we were doing. We were pretending to be fans of this team and trying to give them a place that felt like home. But having Dez around actually made it feel kind of right. It made this new game and new group of guys we’d never really heard of feel familiar. We’d seen this show before. It wasn’t all that new and shocking to have this team here, because hey, that’s Desmond Mason throwing down hellacious dunks and catching alley oops. I have seen this before. He was the de facto face of the franchise from the start because his face was really the only one we recognized. To be honest, I think Desmond Mason is largely responsible (along with Chris Paul) for the NBA explosion in OKC and the love affair for the game that quickly formed. I really do.
And bringing him to Oklahoma City a second time, but on this occasion for a realteam that wasn’t going anywhere, just locked him in our hearts. He wasn’t extremely productive during his two stints in OKC – 10.6 ppg, 4.3 rpg and 1.2 apg – but nevermind stats and “greatness.” He’s banging on the door of the Pantheon of Oklahoma Sports regardless. Why? I really don’t know. I guess it was just for what he represented – the transformation of a college sports town into a Big League City.
We had Chris Paul, we had David West, we have Kevin Durant and Jeff Green. We loved and still love those players. They were all Our Guys. But Desmond was the ultimate Our Guy because he carried the title three different times with three different teams, but all in the same state. He’s forever connected to sports in this state, and in just about every way possible.
It’s really a little spooky how he wound up here both times. He was traded from Milwaukee to New Orleans right before the 2005 season when the transplanted Hornets wound up in OKC. Then he was traded again from Milwaukee to OKC in 2008 right after the move from Seattle. I’m not really a believer in destiny and fate, but that’s kind of hard to argue with.
Maybe it’s a little hokey to assume it, but I sort of think Dez was meant to be here both times for the state and city. He was the liaison that ushered in this game and made it feel like our own and helped make connections to the roster, which is one of the most important things for a franchise to succeed somewhere. I mean, the last time we had a team here he was on it. Now we have a completely new franchise and he’s on it again. It was kind of like the NBA never left. He was the link between the raw excitement and passion for the Hornets and this new team that we could actually call our own.
When news broke late Wednesday that Mason wouldn’t be returning next year to the Thunder, a part of my heart sank. I knew it was coming and when free agency started, everybody pretty much knew Dez wouldn’t be back next year. He’s an aging, 31-year-old role player that really doesn’t fit in with the youth movement of this team. While he can be a valuable piece to a team with his strong defensive skills, leadership and bulldog mentality, the trade for Thabo Sefolosha and the drafting of James Harden all but punched Mason’s ticket out of the Sooner State.
And even though I knew he wasn’t coming back, having it confirmed yesterday made me a little sad. It’s not like I thought Mason would make this team dramatically better. It’s not like he was a missing piece that could put OKC over the top. It’s not like I thought losing him was a giant missed opportunity. All he was, was a guy that played hard and that we all loved. Every team has those guys. Malik Rose was a fan favorite in San Antonio and he was absolutely devastated to have to leave, as were the fans. Players grow connected to the community and the community grows connected to them, and a lot of times it has nothing to do with what happened on the hardwood the night before. And the fact that OKC tried hard to make room for Dez even though it didn’t need him in the slightest says something about the connection he had to the city and the connection the fans had to him.
Mason is the most successful Oklahoman in the NBA probably since Wayman (not counting Blake Griffin of course), and Wayman was a guy cherished and loved by both crimson and orange. And Dez has somehow broken the same barrier and has some similar qualities. A guy that loves this state and will likely make his home here once he finishes his career. A guy that has done a TON for the community and is just an all around swell human being. A guy that everybody can get behind, regardless of school colors. And hey, he’s also an artist just like Wayman was, though he prefers the brush rather than the bass.
So anyway, thank you for your time here Dez. I truly can’t say enough for how much we appreciated you around here. I saw you at Penn Square Mall last year around Christmas time and you were signing every autograph, posing for every picture and shaking every hand. All with a smile and a look of true humility on your face. Sure, maybe you’re not going to be remembered for the same reason we think of Barry Sanders, Adrian Peterson or Sam Bradford. But I know I’ll never forget the impact you made here.
You’re a true Oklahoma great. Here’s to you, the rest of your career and to hoping we cross paths again. I’m sure it’ll happen. That destiny thing has a way of bringing you home.
Nice write-up, Royce. I’ve been a big Desmond fan my whole adult life (as a big OSU supporter and alum), but his larger role in bringing the NBA to the state might end up being his biggest legacy.
Hopefully he can find his way back to Oklahoma at some point. He would be a great asset in OKC’s front office, or even on the bench as a coach–either way, here’s to Dez landing on his feet somewhere in the NBA.
In case anyone is interested in the never-ending Traber saga, I just heard on The Sports Animal that a seattle radio station replayed Traber’s convo with Collison and apparently made fun of him. So tune in at 2pm if you want to hear Traber declare war on the city of Seattle (that was literally what Mark Rodgers said).
Wow, there’s even a write-up on the Traber-Collison exchange on the front page of HoopsWorld right now…
@Alex
Oh good heavens, it never ends.
Honestly, at this point, I don’t even know what has to happen to just put it behind us…
But, awesome post, Royce. I’m the same as you – Sooner born, Sooner bred, but Dez is just the best.
In the interest of brevity, the top 10 things I love about Desmond Mason.
10. Community saint.
9. Beloved ambassador for Oklahoma.
8. I always, always, always have respect for an artist.
7. Taught KD that sweet move where you sweep the ball from one side of your body to the other by way of your ankles so quickly that the lazy defender who has his hand on your hip get’s whistled for contact with your wrist as you try to finish the shot.
6. Jumps OUT of the GYM! You never know when that out of nowhere, chase you down, blocked shot from behind is coming to get you.
5. Defense is not an option. And he was really good at it.
4. Can slam dunk with the best of them.
3. That inner warrior came out in the clutch. Fierce. Fearless. Even downright nasty. One look at his face and you could see intensity that shot all through you.
2. Great role model.
1. Wonderful human being.
@Jax Raging Bile Duct
Excellent list Jax. I think we’ll be thanking him for No. 7 for years.
And I think he also helped install an attitude of toughness and no easy buckets for this young team. I think we’ll have Dez to thank for a lot for years to come.
I almost feel like I need to start a Traber open thread.
I feel bad for Mark Rodgers. Hopefully he won’t let Traber completely embarrass Oklahoma.
seems like just yesterday Dez was wearing orange and actually making Doug Gottlieb look good.
Traber’s ego is taking over here. He got hit with a bunch of emails due to some Seattle guy giving out his email address. He’s trying to outdo him by releasing his. And what’s great is that Traber told everyone to keep it classy. Nothing says classy like acting like a 5 year old.
@Omar
Haha, well put. Gottlieb could look alright as long as he wasn’t shooting a free throw.
Traber rushing the pitcher. Just saw this video for the first time and I’m still laughing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fSrRxHhfHKc
The end’s the best part.
Where is that hooops world article? can u link it?
Great article Royce…
I really hope Des comes back & takes Traber’s show someday…
http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=13632
Great write up Royce.
I’m not sureThat John Starks guy was pretty successful. Dennis Rodman, too. And who could forget Eddie Robinson and Michael Ruffin. Seriosuly, those first tow guys were better than Mason.
Uhm…is there an “edit” button.
@Patrick
I don’t really consider Dennis Rodman an Oklahoman… but that’s a good point.
@Patrick
Nay… you must live with what you post. Mwhahaha.
@Patrick
I don’t think the article was about who was the best or comparing players from Oklahoma.
All the players you listed kinda died to Oklahoma after college. Whereas Mason came back after college and did a lot of local work. I can’t recall Starks or Rodman doing any local events.
It’s about who Mason was for us & the city.
@ Patrick–I am going to infer from your spelling and sentence structure that you were writing that comment under the influence of a strong narcotic or at least a double scotch!
@Nix
Thumbsup.
@Patrick
I think the “cherished and loved” requirement would eliminate Starks and Rodman pretty quick from that equation, though, as the tone of the article hinged more on community service, fan appreciation and overall impact than just hardwood success.
Good grief, after 30 seconds of writing and posting a reply and, boom, there’s already 5 responses…sorry about that, Patrick. Not one to pour it on.
Hey what are you guys talking about. John Starks signed some autographs…..Once.
For my two cents (worth less undoubtably…) I am not so sure we have seen the last of Desmond in Thunder Blue. Sounds to me like Presti (the human slide rule) made a reasonable offer based on the factors in play without the emotional attachment. I hope for Desmond’s sake that he goes to a team that can use his unique skill set AND afford to pay him close to what he thinks he is worth. Denver maybe? While we aren’t doing anything else productive, let’s play player agent for him and discuss where the best fit would be–sound fun anyone?
I will play. I like the Hawks as a good team that could use him. I don’t know about the $$ side of what they could offer, but he would be the #2 sg.
@okiefunk
Denver is a great spot after they lost D. Jones and Kleiza. He wouldn’t be getting the contract he wants but I imagine he could get some starting time.
The Heat is a team that could pick him up for a year. (Everyone’s into 1 year contratcts right now). The Bulls could be a great spot for him. They lost Gordon. He could come in and get some minutes behind Salmons. Memphis probably needs a change of pass guy…Someone who won’t shoot the ball everytime he gets it.
He wouldn’t hurt the Hawks.
Great article, Royce. We will all miss him.
Desmond and I have never gotten along.
I hate to say this because they are our likely competition for the eighth seed in the west, but Dez would be a great fit on the re-building Clippers. Class act. Great lockerroom influence. Talented defensive small forward. If any Clippers fans come across this, forget I said anything.
Nice write up, Royce.
I really liked this part…
“We had Chris Paul, we had David West, we have Kevin Durant and Jeff Green. We loved and still love those players. They were all Our Guys. But Desmond was the ultimate Our Guy because he carried the title three different times with three different teams, but all in the same state. He’s forever connected to sports in this state, and in just about every way possible.”
…that says it all to me. Great stuff here, bro!
I can’t belive Traber is after some other Seattle guy now! I wish the season would just start so he’ll talk football and forget about “The war on those grungy, liberal people up there. They like there city so much they have the second highest suicide-rate in the country.”
WTF?! This is getting WAY out of hand!
And I just watched the “Traber charging the mound” video- absolutely fantastic! What a classy, classy ambassador of the game he was. I don’t ever recall seeing somebody continue to charge when the pitcher takes off running. If anybody knows how to contact that Seattle radio station, they should let them know about that link. Yes, I understand they won’t be able to play it on the radio, but they could give a play by play and let people know how to find it.
What station was it? KJR 950 is the only sports station I am aware of in Seattle.
I guess I don’t get the Desmond thing…sign him to a decent, but cheaper contract and make him the 15th man. Or, keep Ibaka/Mullins in Tulsa, and have Dez as the 14th guy. We have tons of unused cap space for a 1-year deal. Desmond is going to bring tons more to this team than half of the guys on the active roster, regardless of if he’s a 2 or 3 or 28.
Oh…and Traber’s an asshat.
@geoff
His agent seemed to indicate the issue was playing time and not financial. With Harden, Thabo, Uncle Jeff and KD covering the 2 and 3 spots, he would have had almost no minutes.
@geoff
Even if you send one of the first or second year guys to Tulsa, they count toward your active roster limit of 15. So you don’t save anything that way unfortunately.
@Joe
yeah Joe, I understand that, I was just thinking previous to signing all those guys to the big team, we knew Desmond was still there. I’ll just say Ibaka better be damned charming.
Steve, I didn’t know about the playing time issue with the agent. Seems that if a guy was to warrant those kinds of minutes he’d have been grabbed up early on in FA. He’s still coming off of a knee injury…not a good time to get picky about playing time.
I wish Desmond the best.
@Joe
I guess some radio guy with “three times the poulation in Seattle, with a third of the listers at WWLS!”@ clear channel.(according to The Big Fella.) Maher or something.
I guess he started an email war against Trabs and Trabs is getting his minions to attack, in turn. …WE must protect this house!!!JK
@Rhett
Good thing that ego warded off that boot to the head towards the end.
That’s crazzzy. I can tell you pretty much for sure that the people in Seattle still love Nick. He was always a hustler and worker and “the sweatiest guy in the leaque”. So, no doubt they would roast Traber for even “questioning” Nick on anything at all.
What about Mookie Blaylock? He had a pretty good NBA career.
Retiring Desmond Mason’s number? This has to be some sort of joke.