Oklahoma City THUNDER?

[TracyThom]

I don't get the Baron idea...when I hear the world "Baron" some old German guy with a beard and fancy clothes or something.

This guy could have been their mascot.

 

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/214/470804335_a677aeeed1.jpg?v=0

 

THE CLAW!!!!

[TracyThom]

Toronto picked "Raptors" because when they came into existance, dinosaurs were even more of a cool thing than normal, thanks to Jurassic Park and the sequels. Just like their purple color scheme.

 

I agree it should be something better but what? Toronto Mounties? Toronto Freeze (tribute to the Great White North, like Miami to it's sunshine)? Toronto Maple Syrups?

Calling them the Mounties would be classic....I'd love to see that happen someday!

 

I remember hearing when Vancouver got their NBA franchise, they wanted to be known as The Mounties, but the Royal Canadian Mounted Police would not let them. According to Wiki, it's true. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memphis_Grizzlies

 

One thing that bugs me about all sports franchises is when they move cities, they keep the team name. Tell me why Utah kept the Jazz nickname when they moved from New Orleans. Even the Oilers were known as the Tennessee Oilers for a season before becoming the Titans.

[crewcrazy]

To add onto the Toronto Raptors thing, I also believe that there were raptor remains found in the Toronto area, or at least somewhere in present-day Canada, so at least the "animal" somewhat fits the region.

 

I was never a fan of the "Bucks" name...yeah, let's name our team after an animal that doesn't do much but eat grass and get shot. That's ferocious.

 

As for the Thunder, I don't mind the nickname. Cyclones or Tornadoes or Twisters or something would've been better, but apparently they were worried about the negative connotations a name like that would have in that area, since tons of people lose their homes to tornadoes every year (although that didn't stop the University of Miami from being the Hurricanes). OKC was kind of in a bind because they're really not known for anything nationally, other than being "that state above Texas." They really could've done better with the logo and colors, though -- the one they unveiled looks like a WNBA team's logo or something. Aren't thunderstorms supposed to be dark and intimidating? Why go with light blue and orange, instead of silver/black or gold/black or gold/silver?

[trwi7]

? crewcrazy wrote:

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I was never a fan of the "Bucks" name...yeah, let's name our team after an animal that doesn't do much but eat grass and get shot.?

[Fatter than Joey]

Just curious, but what does Warriors have to do with Native Americans. It is just a generic term for someone who is a fighter, soldier etc.

 

The old Philly Warriors used an Indian logo.

[trwi7]

The old Philly Warriors used an Indian logo.

Well that's fine but if you look at Golden State's logo it isn't even close to an indian. It's more like a modern knight.

[TSack27]

Despite other cover-up stories, I believe the Bobcats name was ego driven? Weren't they really named after team owner Bob Johnson...sad, IMO.

[GAME05]

I don't get the Baron idea...when I hear the world "Baron" some old German guy with a beard and fancy clothes or something.

did Snoopy finally shoot that guy down from his doghouse-plane or not?

 

i like the Wisconsin names, they say a lot about what's important in the state and not just something generically scary or strong. are there many bears in Illinois?

[bucks2281]

OKC was kind of in a bind because they're really not known for anything nationally, other than being "that state above Texas

 

Unfortunately, they're probably most known for what happened on April 19, 1995. At least that's what I'll always connect to OKC. I have concerns about the viability of a franchise in Oklahoma City. Yes, the fans came out in droves when the Hornets needed refuge, but the Sonics ... Thunder ... are not a good team. Do you think the NBA regrets moving to Memphis? Their attendance was near the bottom last year. David Stern had his heart set on OKC; time will tell if it was a wise idea.

[jwill535]

bucks2281[/b]]Unfortunately, they're probably most known for what happened on April 19, 1995. At least that's what I'll always connect to OKC..

Yeah I don't think the OKC Bombers would be appropriate.

[nodakfan17]

The s-less nicknames are tolerable, in my opinion. Besides OKC Thunder is better than OKC Energy ... that one reminds me of a dance team ...

 

What I really can't stand are team names that sound more like middle school mascots (classic example- Charlotte Bobcats). The Charlotte NBA franchise could have been the "Charlotte Flight,"which would have had both a connection to the state (birth place of aviation) and the sport (speed, grace, agility).

[GAME05]

advertising is everywhere else, they could have just leased the naming rights to a company: The OKC Motorola Phones.

[fondybrewfan]

My favorite college nickname: Knox College Prairie Fire

[Katuluu]

are there many bears in Illinois?

The Bears derived their name from Cubs. Halas felt that since football players were bigger and stronger then baseball players that the football team should be named the Bears since the baseball team was named the Cubs.

 

The Bulls got their name from the Chicago stockyards.

[T B0NE 10]

I never say the big deal about naming stuff after Indian tribes and such as I think the Seminoles is no different than the Spartans. Not having warriors is a joke as it applies to someone who is at war.

 

But I have to admit, Redskins is kinda racial and could be changed

 

 

As with the OKC Thunder, sounds stupid to me, maybe they could have done something with tornados.

I dont follow the NBA though much anyways.

[nate82]

I have concerns about the viability of a franchise in Oklahoma City. Yes, the fans came out in droves when the Hornets needed refuge, but the Sonics ... Thunder ... are not a good team. Do you think the NBA regrets moving to Memphis? Their attendance was near the bottom last year. David Stern had his heart set on OKC; time will tell if it was a wise idea.

Las Vegas would have been a better city for the Sonics to move to than OKC. The Thunder do have Durant and other players that were improving near the end of the season last year. They are not going to go very far in the West though if they were in the East they would be a top 10 team and could maybe make the playoffs as the 8th seed.

[piccione88]

Other names considered were Barons, Bisons, Wind, Energy, and Marshals. I would have gone with Barons or Bisons.

Another one that I liked and thought shold have got it was the "I love this basketball teams" it was thought up by jason Zimdars in the espn contest. Inspiration came from Toby Keiths restaraunt in OKC called "Toby Keiths I love this Bar and Grill"

[Diskono]

What are the odds they play AC/DC at every possible opportunity?