Something’s rumbling…
As most of you know, I wrote that whole Thunder tattoo continuum thing a couple months ago. Either Sam Presti read that and it made perfect sense to him
or it was just by coincidence, but Oklahoma City literally has THREE tattoos on the entire team now (that we can see). Byron Mullens has two (one on each forearm) and Thabo Sefolosha has one on his left shoulder. That’s it. Have we seen a team this tattooless since Hickory High? This is absolutely unprecedented in this age and I don’t think people are making a big enough deal about it.
I hate this. If I’m going to move on from this whole Traber thing I’m either going to have to quit listening to the radio entirely or hope he shuts up. And I think we all know one of those things is definitely not happening. Now Trabes has put aside his war against Nick Collison and instead fired one up against Bill Simmons for his tweet.
Like I said, I agree with Traber in a sense that Simmons has gone over the top about this Seattle/OKC crap, but this is just going to end badly, even if some random act of God it picks up any steam. All that will happen is that Oklahoma City sports chatter will get humiliated once again on the national stage and Traber will have to field calls for another week about it. One thing that makes me want to headbutt my coffee table though is that Traber is acting like people like Simmons and myself aren’t any different than anonymous Internet commenters, except that we use our real names. THEN HOW ARE INTERNET COMMENTERS ANY DIFFERENT THAN YOU, JIM? Your platform is the radio. Bill Simmons’ is a podcast and a column for ESPN.com. What’s the difference? I truly think Traber’s mind exists in a parallel universe where he cannot see such logical things.
Then, to cap it off, he ripped Simmons for not allowing comments on his columns and then rips me for allowing them on mine. Face palm. And he seems to forget that he has a website with a message board with anonymous commenters and also works for a radio station with a message board with anonymous commenters. Please, a little respect, for he is Traber, Lord of the Idiots. Ok, done. Seriously, I’m done now.
Vince Thomas had an interesting piece on NBA.com about small market players and the 
supposed desire for the spotlight. I was just talking about that with some friends the other day. Thomas is so right. It is a myth. Sure, maybe one city can pay you more than the other. But in this day with the media’s arm reaching as far as it does, the Internet, social media and Youtube, a player can get all the exposure he wants even if he plays in Slapout, Oklahoma, as long as he’s good. Chris Duhon had a nice season last year. Did you hear people constantly talking about him? And he was in New York! I’m not worried about KD’s national exposure and I really don’t think he cares anyway. All that crap is overrated. Read what Thomas wrote. It’s exactly what I just said, but better.
Is there honestly a better feeling out there than tossing out a loud zinger in a crowded area and it landing perfectly? It’s like you’re the king of the crowd for 30 seconds. People are telling the people beside them what you said, guys around you are nudging you telling you well done and now you’re the spokesman for your section. Everyone looks to you for guidance on the next sarcastic comment. Now I can see why George went back into the theater to bless the audience with his “That’s GOTTA hurt!” line. But equally as bad is throwing out a line and it crashing like the Hindenburg. The reason I bring this up? Because I recently crashed and burned in a public place. And no, I’m not telling you the story.
One thing that makes me extremely nervous about this upcoming basketball season? Overreaction due to exaggerated offseason hype. What if the Thunder gets off to an 8-24 start? Will people be calling for Scott Brooks’ head? I would certainly hope not. Tempering expectation is a difficult thing to do, especially when everybody is telling you how good you are.
I know a lot of people are irritated about Brett Favre unretiring again, but I’m really not. As a new Vikings fan (only because of Adrian Peterson) I don’t care about the whole Packers/Vikings thing. And besides, Favre doesn’t care either. Rivalries are almost entirely fan driven. Players don’t care. Most times, they’re friends with a lot of the guys on the other team that they’re supposed to hate. And in the age of free agency, how can a player say no to a great fit or a great contract just because his old team’s fans don’t like this new team. Plus, with Favre, what’s wrong with him playing? He clearly loves football, loves playing football and as long as someone will pay him to do so, more power to him for keeping on. He could be setting a dangerous Roger Clemens-esque precedent by skipping training camp, but that’s really beside the point.
Over/under: Kevin Durant’s points per game – 29.5. I honestly have no idea. On one hand I could see more, but on the other with James Harden and Russell Westbrook developing, I could maybe see less opportunity and need to score. I’m torn.
How many times have you watched the Hyperizin’ commercial? Be honest. I didn’t count, but I would guess I’m at 10. And that doesn’t count the times I’ve made the entire room shut up when it actually comes on TV. Call me pathetic, but I can’t get enough of seeing Our Guy on national TV. I get a huge smile on my face and mumble along with Velvet Hoop. I guess I am pathetic.
I’d say that autoplaying videos rank in the top 10 things that piss me off. When you go to OKC’s ESPN clubhouse page, that video just starts up. IF I WANTED IT TO PLAY, I’D CLICK THE LITTLE ARROW THINGY. College students who bring their laptops to class are the ultimate victim of the autoplay. You’re positive you have your sound off – absolutely positive – so you’re browsing, making sure to not listen to the professor and then you lazily click over to ESPN.com and BOOM!!! the video starts playing and the sound is echoing through the room as if you hooked your computer up to five mega-stacks of speakers. You scramble to hit mute as fast as you can but you’re hitting everywhere around the button but the actual freaking button and the whole class does the half-turn to see who the idiot is that didn’t mute his sound. And you’re just sitting there trying to act like it wasn’t you. No, this has never happened to me.
Does anybody else sometimes kind of secretly wish that Kevin Durant wore a cooler number than 35? Now I know he wears it to honor a fallen friend, which is awesome, and it’s not like it makes me not want his jersey because I adore him, but still, No. 35 just isn’t quite as cool as No. 23 or No. 33. I don’t think I should have said this out loud.
I wish I understood the UStream/Tiny Chat phenomenon. I get Stephon Marbury, because well, that was like watching one of those top 50 lists on Best Damn Sports Show Period. You see two seconds of it and you better get ready for two straight hours. But I just sat and watched Kevin Durant listen to music and not do ANYTHING for 15 minutes. I don’t get it. Then he answered some questions like, “What kind of car do you drive?” and “How much do you like playing basketball?” in between mouthing the words to some rap song. What am I missing here?
Re Better Feeling: As a student going to the OU games, my friend and I would cheer as loud as we could… when we were setting up to punt or kick. Our kickers were amazing that year with Freeby and Hartley (before he started missing XPs) and when Freeby would place the ball for Hartley we felt compelled to give them some love. The crowd was absolutely dead and our voices could be heard from the top of the student section (where we always staked our claim) to the bottom. People would give us weird looks but eventually they caught on to the FREEBY HART CONNECTION!!!
@Chas
I often take credit for people yelling “KILLLLLL HIIMMMMMMMM!!!!!!” when an opposing return man would take a kick after an OU score. I don’t know if I actually came up with that, but I know I always yelled it as loud as I could.
Something else I’d love to add about Traber/Simmons: Pretty much everyone in OKC was anti-Simmons before this little thing started. Now with Traber taking up this battle, I almost think people will side more with Simmons and root for him to whoop Traber if they ever do meet on air. How ironic is that?
Just got back from a month in Greece so I’m kinda caught up with Traber vs. Royce. Figured it was only a matter of time. Now it’s Traber vs. Simmons? Simmons is my favorite sportswriter and I like that he calls the Thunder the team that shall not be named or however it goes. He’s “supposed” to be on Seattle’s side in Seattle vs. OKC, but he’s got one of the biggest man-crushes in history on Kevin Durant. He’s conflicted and it makes for great writing.
(Plus he’s buddies w/ Malcom Gladwell)
Whoever it was in the OU student section that used to yell “I’M GONNA KILL YOU, CLOWN!” when the opposing team kicked off ruled.
Oh, Royce, tell us the story. NOW.
Didn’t mean to post as anonymous – using wrong browser. OOps.
Just got back from a month in Greece so I’m kinda caught up with Traber vs. Royce. Figured it was only a matter of time. Now it’s Traber vs. Simmons? Simmons is my favorite sportswriter and I like that he calls the Thunder the team that shall not be named or however it goes. He’s “supposed” to be on Seattle’s side in Seattle vs. OKC, but he’s got one of the biggest man-crushes in history on Kevin Durant. He’s conflicted and it makes for great writing.
(Plus he’s buddies w/ Malcom Gladwell)
@Rhett
Yeah don’t post anonymously. You’ll have a war declared against you.
@Royce
As far as I’m concerned, the only tattoos I want to be aware of are the ones I can see.
Hickory High…Hoosiers! You have to love that movie! Thanks for the reminder of a classic.
I think you’re wrong on the whole KD’s number deal. 35 is now cool BECAUSE KD wears it. Plus, aren’t you glad he’s not like every other superstar that wears 23 just because?
@Nate
You’re absolutely right and I’ve sort of convinced myself of this. I’m just a fan of single digits. But you’re right about players making a number cool. And I’m of the mindset that nobody should wear No. 23. It’s taken.
@J.G.
What if Nick Collison had a butterfly tattoo on his ankle?
clearly J.G. Royce likes to go that ‘extra’ bit for all the info…
ahh sorry I just couldn’t resist
@Royce
then by all means let Nik keeps his butterfly tatoo a secret
Hmm…What kind of car does KD drive?
@Nix
He said Escalade.
I have been to Slapout, Oklahoma. I don’t know how you picked it’s name out of the hat, but I’m stoked that you did. So will the only family I know that owns property out there. It’s too remote for technology, so I’ll mail them the article via Post Office. It should arrive sometime in September.
I took an argumentation class in college. I enjoyed it, made a good grade, and felt that it helped my life improve. I can’t say that for all the college classes I took, but this one was good. I think it would be fun to see someone educated in such things to listen to a week of Traber, and list all of the logical fallacies, improper casualty and rhetoric in his thought process and presentation. Seriously, I think someone could use that as a thesis for their doctorate.
I watch NFL just to follow a few players that I like. The local teams around here are the Dallas Cowboys, Kansas City Chiefs and the Denver Broncos. Once Aikman retired, I was done with the Cowboys, but still liked to catch a few Roy Williams highlights back in his prime. But I’ve never been a true fan. Anyway, there were never, ever, EVER, Minnesota Vikings games on TV until AD was drafted. Now, I see them every other week. Now that Farve is there, and that team is expected to make the playoffs and possibly win their division, I’m betting I see them every week. I don’t mind I suppose. If I mute the volume, then I can just pay attention to the running plays.
The one game you never want to play is the Bret Favre drinking game. Well, there’s Russian roulette, but never mind that. You know, its the one where you have to take a thimble sized shot every time his name is mentioned. Even if it’s a football game he’s not playing in, you’ll pass out by the first commercial break. If you don’t, you’re looking at alcohol related death by the end of the first quarter.
The one good thing about KD’s #35, there will probably never be a better #35 by the time he’s done playing ball. I took a quick glance at this old SI article… http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/more/06/26/intro.numbers/
#35 – Phil Niekro
With a dancing knuckleball and savvy beyond his years, Niekro won 318 games during a 24-year career. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1997.
Runner-up: Frank Thomas.
Worthy of consideration: Doc Blanchard, Tony Esposito, Rickey Henderson.
Sorry fellas, KD’s gonna take the “best #35″ crown when all is said and done. And I really like Ricky Henderson too.
I have 4 tats myself and am thinking of getting them removed so I can tryout for The 66ers and maybe get picked up if we struggle.
Here’s my rundown(NBA Draft.net style!)
NBA comparison:
Robert Swift meets the towel boy.
Pros:
Owns his own basketball. Team player.(will get Gatorade for’em.)
Has own transportation.
Cons:
30+ years old, 5’10″ combo guard that can’t shoot or dribble, REALLY white, slow as syrup on waffles, needs to work on walking and chewing gum at the same time, 38.75% body fat, 2.25″ vertical jump, 4’2″ wingspan.
Do you think Presti wants an application?
Making fun of yourself is fun…
@Cpt. C-Note
You might be able to pull something with that vertical…
It’s a BEAUTIFUL day in SEATTLE!!!
I kid, I kid. How’s all in the middle of the country today? It’s warm and sunny here. But for you guys, it’s probably nothing. High 80′s. That’s child’s play, right?
I was just able to catch up with some of the comments from yesterday. If you guys don’t want me to post here, I have absolutely zero problems going my own merry way. My intentions were not to annoy. The owner of this site and a bunch of the posters seem really cool. I’m not a troll. I just have my own opinions, as so do all of you. To Terry and his pals who take everything as an insult and as sarcastic veiled attacks, I dunno what to say. That how you want to play things with everyone who doesn’t think exactly the same as you? Have fun with that. Cuz that is EXACTLY what Jim Traber did the other day with the Nick Collison twitter stuff. I might have misread the initial non-threatening comments as acceptance and open-mindedness. If that’s the case, I sincerely apologize. And to the guy who comments on my long-windedness. Sorry, but that’s just the way I am. About anything. Check out my posts on the Seahawks board I frequent.
Anyway fellas, If Royce and the rest don’t mind or even enjoy getting a take from the other side of the coin, I’m more than happy to engage in some hopefully enlightening and interesting conversation. If not, that’s awesome as well. Hope you guys enjoy next season.
@EJ
It’s pretty nice here in OKC, also! Thanks for sharing! Hope you have a good day.
@EJ
I welcome your perspective. We have some thick-skin around these here parts!
I’m long-winded too.
@Jax Raging Bile Duct
…nice…
Well, KD will be a great #35 NO DOUBT. But Frank Thomas is my man!! Here is a funny commercial spot for when he played for the blue jays.
http://video.aol.com/video-detail/toronto-blue-jays-frank-thomas-commercial/2113915668
@Royce
the enemy of your enemy is your friend.
ugh. can’t oklahoma city have a rational, normal person that defends the city? why is the only local sports media personality that will say something is the last guy i want saying anything. to hell with simmons, traber, espn, and any other corporate sports media.
…and regarding the ‘failed zinger’ story; what happened, did someone point a laser pointer at you?
Love hearing the other side EJ. Maybe you are a little long winded for a commenter to a long winded blog but if we don’t like it, I guess I can avert my eyes.
Jax: I have a hard time getting into the NFL as well. I guess I like the Cowboys, but their players are incredibly hard to like. Jerry Jones sucks… if there wasn’t fantasy football I don’t know how many games I would watch.
@Cpt. C-Note
Hey C-note, FYI, I sent you an email.
Wow. Just tried to read through the referenced thread…couldn’t do it. Too many Jax’s writing very very long comments.
No offense to Jax.
honestly i have watched that hyperize commercial about 20 times, at least, not including the tv. its pretty awesome seeing kd. the video is so catchy, and i think i know every word to it now from watching the video so many times
@donuteyes
That’s my mission statement: “To not be another Oklahoma City idiot.”
Heh…Slapout. Grew up out that way. Used to pass through, if you can call it even that, on my way further west. Great grab, Royce.
@Joe
Thanks for the invite! I signed up and followed the link and have a “pending group request” in to ya.
btw… I’ve watched the KD commercial 5+ times on the player, and about 20+ times on TV. I have to dance everytime…cause it’s pimp!
I always feel a pang of jealousy whenever Joe gives the “did you receive my email?” comment.
@EJ
Welcome back! Troll? Not a troll? Doesn’t really matter. Nothing wrong with having the occasional heated argument in the blogosphere- not like anybody winds up in the emergency room. I WOULD ask that you avoid getting into it with Crow though. Between the two of you, I’m afraid Royce’s server might explode.
Durant is coming to Hong Kong!!!
OMG I am sooooo excited. you guys have no idea how bad i want to see this kid in person. I never thought i would have a chance.
It is going to be GREAT.
@Bernard
He is? For what?
for some exhibition and promotion i guess.
@Chas
No offense taken Chas. You can just skip my posts and catch the short ones.
No, no. I won’t skip your posts, just the impostors.