January 2005: Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett travels to New York for a meeting with NBA Commissioner David Stern. Cornett conveys Oklahoma City’s interest in becoming an NBA market. During a subsequent meeting, Stern tells Cornett that OKC might have better luck in pursuing a National Hockey League team.
Bill Haisten: Remembering when OKC scored a grand prize – the Thunder
Aug. 29, 2005: Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans. Among heavily damaged structures are the Superdome and the NBA Hornets’ New Orleans Arena.
September 2005: Cornett calls the NBA office, offering Oklahoma City’s downtown arena as a short-term home for the displaced New Orleans Hornets.
September 2005: In talks with other NBA officials and team owners, Stern expresses confidence that Oklahoma City can be a workable short-term base for the Hornets.
People are also reading…
OKC THUNDER
On April 18, 2008, NBA owners approved Clay Bennett's relocation of the Seattle SuperSonics to Oklahoma City. Tulsa World Archive
Sept. 21, 2005: Stern announces that Oklahoma City has become the temporary home of the Hornets. Within a matter of days, Oklahoma City officials secure three million-dollar sponsors for the Hornets.
Nov. 1, 2005: A sellout crowd watches the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets play their first game in Oklahoma. The Hornets defeat Sacramento, 93-67.
July 2006: For $350 million, an Oklahoma City group headed by Clay Bennett purchases the Seattle SuperSonics organization.
February 2007: Bennett proposes using tax money to pay for a new $500 million arena in a Seattle suburb.
April 13, 2007: Ending their two-season run in Oklahoma, the Hornets play their final home game in OKC. Denver beats the Hornets 107-105.
June 2007: The Sonics hire general manager Sam Presti and draft Kevin Durant, who during his one season at the University of Texas was the national Player of the Year.
November 2007: The Sonics’ ownership group announces that the team will move to Oklahoma after a release from the Key Arena lease can be negotiated.
March 3, 2008: OKC voters approve a $120 million renovation of the arena and the construction of a new NBA practice facility.
April 18, 2008: NBA owners approve the relocation of the Sonics to Oklahoma City.
May 2008: Kevin Durant is voted the NBA Rookie of the Year.
June 2008: The Oklahoma City team drafts UCLA guard Russell Westbrook.
OKC THUNDER
OKC's Russell Westbrook celebrates after the Thunder's 107-99 win over the San Antonio Spurs in Game 6 of the Western Conference finals on June 6, 2012. With that victory, the Thunder advanced to the NBA Finals. Tulsa World Archive
July 2008: The Seattle organization officially opens for business in OKC.
Sept. 3, 2008: The Oklahoma City Thunder’s team name, logo and colors are announced.
Nov. 22, 2008: During what would become a 3-29 start in the 2008-09 season, the Thunder fires P.J. Carlesimo and promotes assistant Scott Brooks to the head-coaching position.
June 2009: The Thunder drafts guard James Harden of Arizona State and power forward Serge Ibaka from the Republic of the Congo.
April 2010: After the Thunder surprises everyone with a 50-win regular season, Scott Brooks is voted the NBA Coach of the Year.
May 2010: The Thunder pushes the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers to six games in a first-round playoff series loss.
OKC THUNDER
The stars of the 2011-12 Oklahoma City' Thunder team that advanced to the NBA Finals: from left, Kevin Durant, Serge Ibaka, Russell Westbrook and James Harden. Tulsa World Archive
May 2011: After a 55-win regular season, Oklahoma City eliminates Denver and Memphis from the playoffs. In the Western Conference finals, the Thunder is beaten by eventual NBA champion Dallas.
February 2012: For the third consecutive season, Durant is a member of the Western Conference All-Star team. Westbrook is an All-Star for the second consecutive season.
June 2012: With Durant having secured his third consecutive NBA scoring title, and with Durant having repeated as an All-NBA first-team selection while Westbrook gets a second consecutive second-team distinction, the Thunder advances to the NBA Finals after prevailing in playoff series against Dallas, the Lakers and San Antonio.
Watch the Tulsa World Sports Extra Show: Thunderstorm coming to NBA Finals
Watch the Tulsa World Sports Extra Show: Thunderstorm coming to NBA Finals. Juwan Lee and Berry Tramel recap OKC's Game 5 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves. Has the league's youngest team finally silenced its doubters. Has Jalen Williams arrived? And, is this Thunder team better than the 2012 version.
0 Comments
Get in the game with our Prep Sports Newsletter
Sent weekly directly to your inbox!