The Curse Report

The Curse Report

NEW! Seems like we've gotten Oklahoma's attention - see a response to CurseTheThunder.com from the Oklahoman:

Click Here To See Video

Thunder fire Carlesimo after 1-12 start

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — The losses kept piling up for P.J. Carlesimo, and it didn't matter which city his team called home.

With the relocated Oklahoma City Thunder off to an NBA-worst 1-12 start, Carlesimo was fired as coach Saturday and replaced on an interim basis by assistant Scott Brooks. Full Story

Curse Report #1 - Thunder Season Preview

If the off-season for the Oklahoma City Thunder (Formerly Seattle Supersonics) is any indication of how successful the franchise first season in their new city will be, expect to be under whelmed.

After selling out the season (as expected) the team owners went to work and

couldn’t make the decision on a name and when they did make a decision they wouldn’t let the information go public, but it somehow was leaked. It was the worst kept secret in sports (not that anyone outside of OKC cared).

Can you imagine how many times the creative geniuses with the team are going to play AC/DC’s ‘Thunderstruck’ at every single game? What is the mascot going to be? An Angus Young look-a-like?

The Thunder is a name that under whelmed the masses and fits a Major League Soccer team or a Minor League Baseball team much more then the NBA but Oklahoma City has never had experience with the major leagues before. Can you imagine how many times the creative geniuses with the team are going to play AC/DC’s ‘Thunderstruck’ at every single game? What is the mascot going to be? An Angus Young look-a-like?

Speaking of creative genius... The team then unveiled it’s colors and logo (uggh)... Has anyone seen the colors and logo for the Charlotte Bobcats? The Thunder stole them... Or I guess they are just sharing them. Hmmmm...

These are small things that don’t seem to translate to wins and losses, but the actions of ownership/management will eventually trickle down to effect, players and finally fans.

But let’s talk roster, O’s and X’s, coaching and hoops.

It all starts for the Thunder with Kevin Durant. Last years Rookie of the Year and the most exciting thing happening this side of Sooner Football. Rumor has it that Durant has bulked up a bit and if that’s the case his gaudy rookie numbers will improve. Unfortunately that probably won’t lead to many more then the 20 wins the team amassed last season. After Durant’s 30-plus a night, where does the scoring come from? Durant’s contract runs through 2010 and he’ll probably be on a fast train to a major market.

Durant’s front court mate is fellow second year man Jeff Green. Green is a stout defender and rebounder who really started to come on last year. He’s a smart player (hey, he went to Georgetown) and will use his intellect to get the heck out of OKC when his contract ends in 2010.

Chris Wilcox is the “veteran” leader of this group. That’s too bad considering he’s a quiet underachiever with a penchant for disappearing in the second half of games. Usually the last third of Wicox season will be lost on a minor injury that will be a major pain. But Thunder fans shouldn’t worry because the team will be out of the race for the playoffs by December anyway.

Nick Collison and Johan Petro will also get a reasonable amount of playing time. Collison is a serviceable banger and is getting frustrated with the consistent loser this franchise has become. He wasn’t happy about the move to the dust bowl and will likely leave at the end of next season. Petro on the other hand is one of the Unfortunate Three picks Seattle used earlier this decade when they used three high draft picks to take three project centers in three years. Petro is a high energy French born player with the ability to foul out of any game before half time. He is a weak rebounder and is limited underneath.

Robert Swift is another of the Unfortunate Three. This guy came into the league out of high school with the look of Richie Cunningham after a trip through a taffy puller. I think after a good look in the mirror he decided that if he was going to be a big time NBA bust he should at least look like a freak, so he pumped up his body and covered himself with tattoos. Now he looks really scary in his business suit while he warms the bench with various injuries. Why GM Sam Presti brought this guy back we’ll never know.

Earl Watson grudgingly returns to the team as the starter at point guard. Luke Ridnauer is in Milwaukee so it should only be a half season or so before the fans start calling for a change. Watson will end up on the West Coast at some point.

First round draft pick was surprise choice, guard Russell Westbrook. Westbrook is athletic and fast but has no scoring touch from the outside. Westbrook has a lot of promise and will be given a wide open opportunity to grow as a player. By the time he becomes the player that the Thunder hope he can be, he should be poised to make big money somewhere else.

The Thunder picked up forward, Joe Smith and guard Desmond Mason in the off-season to compliment Damien Wilkens and youngster Kyle Weaver among other possible bench players.

This team is all set to lose big time and get another high lottery pick. The team is young and the veterans all come from losing franchises. Coach PJ Carlisimo was brought in last year to teach the youngsters and he’s done that, but losing year after year will only drive the great players away, cost Carlisimo his job and create disinterest among the fan base. That is the direction this franchise is heading down and it’s going to be a long year.

Email us at cursethethunder@yahoo.com