Shoot THE THRILLS Photographers go to great lengths, and expense, to capture the Thunder Basketball experience.
The NBA is buzzing about the play of Kevin Durant. Everybody, that is, but the man himself.
THUNDER CALENDAR
THUNDER PLAYER CARDS
Detachable grid for May and June.
Fourth in collectible set for 2009-10 season.
You support the Thunder. We support you.
26 COVER STORY
The numbers scream “look at me!” But while everybody in the NBA is talking about the ascent of Kevin Durant, the Thunder’s third-year forward remains humble and committed to being the best player he can be.
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OPENING SHOTS If a picture is worth 1,000 words, then brace yourself for a super- sized 6,000.
17 PLAYER CARDS The final set in a series of four detachable player cards designed to help you learn more about your Thunder team.
22 TEAMMATES
midfirst.com Member FDIC
Photo by RICHARD A. ROWE
B
You know Thunder Basketball: Hustle. Commitment. Resilient. An equally important part is camaraderie. We all see it on the court. Our photographer, J.P. Wilson, captured that spirit off the court.
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42 SHOOT THE THRILLS
Volume 2 Issue 4
magazine
THUNDER Professional Basketball Club, LLC Chairman & Chief Executive Officer
With cameras hanging from the rafters and the backboard, as well as stationed to the side of the basket and across the floor, Thunder photographers have all the angles covered. And that’s because photos are the lifeblood of the connection between the Thunder and its fans.
Clayton I. Bennett
Board of Directors
Aubrey K. McClendon G. Jeffrey Records, Jr. Tom L. Ward William M. Cameron Robert E. Howard II Everett R. Dobson Jay Scaramucci
Oklahoma City Thunder
SPOTLIGHT ON: TULSA 38
211 N. Robinson, Suite 300 Oklahoma City, OK 73102 Phone: 405.208.4800
Thunder General Manager Sam Presti refers to the Thunder-Tulsa 66ers affiliation as a “big-picture partnership.” Player development is a key building block for the Thunder, and the 66ers play a vital role.
THUNDER.NBA.COM
Executive Vice President & General Manager Sam Presti
Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer Danny Barth
THUNDER CARES 57
Senior Vice President & Executive Producer
The lessons of basketball stretch far beyond the hardwood. That fact is a driving force for the OKC franchise and its commitment to the Thunder Youth Basketball program, which is growing by leaps and (re)bounds.
Ken Adelson
Senior Vice President, Ticket Sales & Service
Last year SandRidge Energy donated
Brian M. Byrnes
Senior Vice President, Guest Relations
new shoes to an entire elementary school.
Pete Winemiller
SCENE & SEEN 62
Vice President, Business Development
A collection of photographs from Thunder games and events that highlights players, fans and Thunder entertainers. Starting off: Rumble the Bison goes to the Oklahoma Capitol!
John R. Croley
Vice President, Corporate Communications & Community Relations
Just one of the many things we do
Dan Mahoney
Vice President, Human Resources
PARTING SHOT 64
to give OKC a little boost.
Katy Semtner
Managing Editor
We know the great lengths Jeff Green will go to to collect a rebound or block a shot. Turn to the back page to see what he will do when a kid offers a high-five.
Ron Matthews
Business Development
Photo by DUSTIN SCHMIDT / OLD HAT CREATIVE
Abby Morgan, Wayne Guymon, Tim Whang, Regan Lynn, Lindsay Duncan, Geoff Sanders, Stephanie Parrish, Ryan O’Toole and Charlie Givens
Editorial Assistance
Brian Facchini, Michael Ravina, John Read, Vicki Guerra, Dan Mahoney, Liam Callahan
LOOK INSIDE! … Our fourth in a series of Thunder player calendars is ready to hang on your wall.
Contributing Writers
Chris Silva, Ron Matthews, Greg Elwell, Phil Bacharach
Photography
Layne Murdoch, NBAE / Getty Images; Dustin Schmidt, Old Hat Creative, Richard A. Rowe, J.P. Wilson, Paul Wilson, OKC Thunder photos
Creative Director Lisa Waite
The information contained in this publication was compiled by the Oklahoma City Thunder and is provided as a courtesy to its fans. Any commercial use of this information is prohibited without the prior written consent of the Oklahoma City Thunder. All NBA and team insignias depicted in this publication are the property of NBA Properties, Inc. and the respective teams of the NBA Properties Inc. and may not be reproduced for commercial purposes without the prior written consent of NBA Properties, Inc. © Copyright 2010 Oklahoma City Thunder
Graphic Design & Layout
Eleonore Surles Old Hat Creative, Norman, OK
Printing
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HANG TIME Kevin Durant soars high for a dunk to put the West up, 53-51, in the All-Star Game played before a basketballrecord crowd of 108,713 at Cowboys Stadium. Durant finished with 15 points and five rebounds in his All-Star debut, but the East prevailed, 141-139. PHOTO BY NOAH GRAHAM / NBAE / GETTY IMAGES
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IBAKA BLOCK Serge Ibaka protects the rim and rejects the reverse attempt by the Warriors’ Stephen Curry. Ibaka has had a surge in rejections, and has become the Thunder’s leading shot-blocker. PHOTO BY PAUL WILSON / OKC THUNDER PHOTO
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Suspended in air, Russell Westbrook fires a pass along the baseline with the Warriors’ Ronny Turiaf (21) and Anthony Tolliver (44) in pursuit. Westbrook finished with 28 points, eight assists and two steals in the 112-104 victory. Photo by RICHARD A. ROWE
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TOGETHER THEY STAND Eric Maynor (l-r), Kevin Durant and James Harden bow their heads in silence during the evening’s invocation, a pre-game tradition at Thunder games. Photo by RICHARD A. ROWE
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BOARD GAME Serge Ibaka, with ball, and Nick Collison (4) battle the Warriors’ Anthony Tolliver (left) and Andris Biedrins for the rebound during the teams’ Feb. 6 game in Oakland, CA. Collison had 10 rebounds and the Thunder won the board battle as well as the game, 104-95. Photo by ROCKY WIDNER / NBAE / GETTY IMAGES
We’ve got more
THUNDER
NewsOK.com brings you more Thunder Basketball news, video, podcasts, live-chats and features than any local news source. Follow us as we cover our team throughout the season, on NewsOK and in The Oklahoman.
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HAIR WE GO The Thunder Girls are in sync with their bodies, hands and hair during a routine before another sold-out crowd at the Ford Center. The Thunder Girls are presented by FireLake Grand Casino. Photo by RICHARD A. ROWE
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Even After 45 Years...
...Our Mission is the Same 2009 marks our 45th year serving you. From the entrepreneurial beginnings of Watonga, Oklahoma to more than 225 stores nationwide, our mission remains the same. Clean Places, Friendly Faces. Throughout our history, we have given millions of dollars to local and national charities. From band uniforms to band-aids, we pride ourselves in helping others make the play. The strength of our dedicated employees and loyal customers is a testament to our success over the years. Thank you for helping us make a difference. Bringing value, convenience and communities together for 45 years.
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T h a b o s e f o lo s h a
russell westbrook
Thabo has recorded three-plus steals in seven games. … He has recorded at least one steal in 46 games this season.
did you know ?
position height weight dob country
Statistics as of March 9, 2010
Russell has recorded 20 games of double-digit assists so far this season, more than doubling his total from last season. … He has had six games this season where he has committed ZERO turnovers and averaged 8.3 apg in those six games.
did you know ?
position height weight dob college
Guard 6'7" 215 5/2/84 UCLA
Statistics as of March 9, 2010
D. J . w h i t e
Guard 6'7" 215 5/2/84 Switzerland
nick collison
Nick leads the NBA in charges drawn per game and charges drawn per 40 minutes. … His high school teams went 101-1 while he was playing.
did you know ?
position height weight dob college
Statistics as of March 9, 2010
D.J. scored a season-high 12 points on 6 of 7 shooting against the Lakers on Nov. 22, 2009. … While playing for the 66ers, he averaged 20.2 ppg and 11.1 rpg.
did you know ?
position height weight dob college
Forward 6'9" 251 8/31/86 Indiana
Statistics as of March 9, 2010
ky l e w e av e r
F o r w a r d /C e n t e r 6'10" 255 1 0/ 2 6 / 8 0 Kansas
e r i c m ay n o r
Guard 6'6" 201 2/18/86 Wa s h i n g t o n S t . did you know ?
position height weight dob college did you know ?
Kyle had a career-tying three blocks against Utah on Nov. 24, 2009, just hours after being called up from the 66ers. … He scored a season-high 11 points against Orlando on Nov. 18, 2009.
Guard 6'3" 175 6/11/87 Virginia Commonwealth
Eric ranks 13th in the NBA in assists per turnover with 2.71. … In 2007, he played alongside teammate D.J. White in the Pan American Games.
Statistics as of March 9, 2010
position height weight dob college
Statistics as of March 9, 2010
Giving the Gift of Life
serge ibaka Forward 6'10" 235 9/ 18/89 Congo
Statistics as of March 9, 2010
Forward 6'9" 235 8/28/86 Georgetown
Statistics as of March 9, 2010
position height weight dob college
jeff green
Center 7'0" 275 2/14/89 Ohio State
did you know ?
Statistics as of March 9, 2010
Center 6'10" 260 4/1/78 Syracuse
Etan has recorded at least one block in 10 of the games he has played in this year. … He went to the same high school as OU and NBA great Wayman Tisdale.
did you know ?
position height weight dob college
e ta n t h o m a s
Statistics as of March 9, 2010
did you know ?
Statistics as of March 9, 2010
Jeff ranks in the top 50 in 11 different statistical categories this season. … Jeff was the sixth player from Georgetown to be drafted in the top 5, joining Allen Iverson, Alonzo Mourning, Dikembe Mutombo, Reggie Williams and Patrick Ewing.
There are 151 people across the state of Oklahoma who believe in the kindness of strangers. Who believe in the power of a second chance. And in the miraculous gift of life.
Byron was offered a scholarship to Ohio State in the summer between his eighth- and ninth-grade year. … He was named the 6th Man of the Year in the Big Ten in 2009 and also was named to the All-Freshman Team.
position height weight dob college
byron mullens
did you know ?
THAnk YOu TO Our GEnErOuS DOnOrS
did you know ?
position height weight dob country
Sarah Gigstad, kidney donor, and Valerie Thomerson, kidney recipient
The Thunder is 20-3 when Nenad scores 10 or more points. … Nenad recorded a season-high four blocks on Jan. 20 against Minnesota.
Center 7'0" 240 7/ 2 5 / 8 3 Serbia
THE FACES OF
Serge has had 60 blocks in 53 games this season, and leads the Thunder in blocks-per-game. … The secret to his shotblocking success: a 7-foot-1 wingspan and a reported 40-inch vertical leap.
position height weight dob country
nenad krstic
PHYSiCiAn • PATiEnT • TECHnOlOGY • PrOCEDurE • COMMuniTY BEnEFiT • AWArEnESS
Thanks to the generosity of the many who gave the gift of life in 2009, these 151 individuals were recipients of a new organ received at Nazih Zuhdi Transplant Institute – the state’s only multi-organ transplant center. These patients, along with the entire Nazih Zuhdi team, would like to thank the families of both the living and deceased donors for their immeasurable generosity.
OnE OF MEDiCinE’S GrEATEST MirAClES
It’s that inspiration that enables the Nazih Zuhdi staff to look forward to each new day. To reach out to help whenever called upon – extending hope where it has been lost, and life when there is little left. To learn more about organ donation, visit lifeshareregistry.org.
Statistics as of March 9, 2010
Guard 6'2" 195 1 2 / 2 7/ 7 2 Connecticut
Guard 6'5" 220 8/26/89 Arizona State
Forward 6'9" 230 9/29/88 Tex a s
Kevin’s streak of scoring 25 or more points lasted 64 days and 29 games. … He has scored 30 or more points 35 times this season, tops in the NBA and matching a franchise record (Spencer Haywood, 1972-73).
did you know ?
position height weight dob college
kevin durant
Statistics as of March 9, 2010
James connected on 10 of 13 3-point attempts over two games in November. He made seven in a row, which is second all-time for a rookie. … James is the first player drafted by the Thunder.
did you know ?
position height weight dob college
james harden
Statistics as of March 9, 2010
Kevin was the starting point guard for Thunder Assistant Coach Maurice Cheeks in 2005-06 when Cheeks was head coach of the 76ers.
did you know ?
position height weight dob college
kevin ollie
Transplantation is truly one of medicine’s greatest miracles, spanning the best and worst moments of life. It’s a period of uncertainty that evokes fear, anxiety, grace, courage and, ultimately, inspiration.
integrisNZTI.com • 405-949-3349
We all see the support and camaraderie Thunder players share on the court. From high-fives to hugs, from chest bumps to fist bumps, from picking up a teammate who has hit the floor to unwavering, towelwaving support from the bench, Thunder players are there for each other. Off the court, the story is the same. From bowling to dining out, from playing video games to making fun videos to share with the world, Thunder players are a family. United, they stand. Together, they embrace the commitment of getting better every day.
SPOTLIGHT ON
OFF-THE-COURT
FUN PhotoS by J.P. WILSON
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SU PPORT Renew Your Thunder Season Tickets Today!
Visit ThundeR.nba.com to renew your seats for the 2010-11 season.
marriot_light_abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz`1234567890-=[]\;’,./ ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ~!@#$%^&*()_+{}|:”<>? å∫ç∂´ƒ©˙ˆ∆˚¬µ˜øπœ®ß†¨√∑≈¥Ω`¡™£¢∞§¶•ªº–≠“‘«…æ≤≥÷ ÅıÇÎ´Ï˝ÓˆÔÒ˜Ø∏Œ‰Íˇ¨◊„˛Á¸`⁄‹›fifl‡°·‚—±”’»ÚƯ˘¿ Á¸`⁄‹›fifl‡°·‚—±"'»ÚƯ˘¿|áéíóúâêîôûàèìòùäëïöüÿãñõÁÉÍÓÚÀÈÌÒÙÄËÏÖÜŸÑÃÕÂÊÎÔÛ ”“’‘ '" marriot_light_italic_abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz`1234567890-=[]\;’,./ ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ~!@#$%^&*()_+{}|:”<>? å∫ç∂´ƒ©˙ˆ∆˚¬µ˜øπœ®ß†¨√∑≈¥Ω`¡™£¢∞§¶•ªº–≠“‘«…æ≤≥÷ ÅıÇÎ´Ï˝ÓˆÔÒ˜Ø∏Œ‰Íˇ¨◊„˛Á¸`⁄‹›fifl‡°·‚—±”’»ÚƯ˘¿ Á¸`⁄‹›fifl‡°·‚—±”’»ÚƯ˘¿|áéíóúâêîôûàèìòùäëïöüÿãñõÁÉÍÓÚÀÈÌÒÙÄËÏÖÜŸÑÃÕÂÊÎÔÛ ”“’‘ '" marriott_med_abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz`1234567890-=[]\;’,./ ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ~!@#$%^&*()_+{}|:”<>? å∫ç∂´ƒ©˙ˆ∆˚¬µ˜øπœ®ß†¨√∑≈¥Ω`¡™£¢∞§¶•ªº–≠“‘«…æ≤≥÷ ÅıÇÎ´Ï˝ÓˆÔÒ˜Ø∏Œ‰Íˇ¨◊„˛Á¸`⁄‹›fifl‡°·‚—±”’»ÚƯ˘¿ Á¸`⁄‹›fifl‡°·‚—±"'»ÚƯ˘¿|áéíóúâêîôûàèìòùäëïöüÿãñõÁÉÍÓÚÀÈÌÒÙÄËÏÖÜŸÑÃÕÂÊÎÔÛ ”“’‘ '" marriott_med_italic_abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz`1234567890-=[]\;’,./ ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ~!@#$%^&*()_+{}|:”<>? å�ç�´ƒ©˙ˆ�˚��˜ø�œ®ß†¨���¥�`¡™£¢�§¶•ªº–�“‘«…æ��÷ ÅıÇÎ´Ï˝ÓˆÔÒ˜Ø�Œ‰Íˇ¨�„˛Á¸`⁄‹›fifl‡°·‚—±”’»ÚƯ˘¿ Á¸`⁄‹›fifl‡°·‚—±"'»ÚƯ˘¿|áéíóúâêîôûàèìòùäëïöüÿãñõÁÉÍÓÚÀÈÌÒÙÄËÏÖÜŸÑÃÕÂÊÎÔÛ ”“’‘ '" marriott_bold_abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz`1234567890-=[]\;’,./ ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ~!@#$%^&*()_+{}|:”<>? åç´ƒ©˙ˆ˚¬µ˜øœ®ß†¨¥`¡™£¢§¶•ªº–“‘«…æ÷ ÅıÇÎ´Ï˝ÓˆÔÒ˜،‰Íˇ¨„˛Á¸`⁄‹›fifl‡°·‚—±”’»ÚƯ˘¿ Á¸`⁄‹›fifl‡°·‚—±"'»ÚƯ˘¿|áéíóúâêîôûàèìòùäëïöüÿãñõÁÉÍÓÚÀÈÌÒÙÄËÏÖÜŸÑÃÕÂÊÎÔÛ ”“’‘ '" marriott_bold_italic_abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz`1234567890-=[]\;’,./ ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ~!@#$%^&*()_+{}|:”<>? åç´ƒ©˙ˆ˚¬µ˜øœ®ß†¨¥`¡™£¢§¶•ªº–“‘«…æ÷ ÅıÇÎ´Ï˝ÓˆÔÒ˜،‰Íˇ¨„˛Á¸`⁄‹›fifl‡°·‚—±”’»ÚƯ˘¿ Á¸`⁄‹›fifl‡°·‚—±"'»ÚƯ˘¿|áéíóúâêîôûàèìòùäëïöüÿãñõÁÉÍÓÚÀÈÌÒÙÄËÏÖÜŸÑÃÕÂÊÎÔÛ ”“’‘ '" marriot_condensed_light_abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz`1234567890-=[]\;’,./ ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ~!@#$%^&*()_+{}|:”<>? å∫ç∂´ƒ©˙ˆ∆˚¬µ˜øπœ®ß†¨√∑≈¥Ω`¡™£¢∞§¶•ªº–≠“‘«…æ≤≥÷ ÅıÇÎ´Ï˝ÓˆÔÒ˜Ø∏Œ‰Íˇ¨◊„˛Á¸`⁄‹›fifl‡°·‚—±”’»ÚƯ˘¿ Á¸`⁄‹›fifl‡°·‚—±”’»ÚƯ˘¿|áéíóúâêîôûàèìòùäëïöüÿãñõÁÉÍÓÚÀÈÌÒÙÄËÏÖÜŸÑÃÕÂÊÎÔÛ ”“’‘ '"
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Whatever your special occasion, the Four Diamond Waterford marriot_condensed_bold_abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz`1234567890-=[]\;’,./ ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ~!@#$%^&*()_+{}|:”<>? å∫ç∂´ƒ©˙ˆ∆˚¬µ˜øπœ®ß†¨√∑≈¥Ω`¡™£¢∞§¶•ªº–≠“‘«…æ≤≥÷ ÅıÇÎ´Ï˝ÓˆÔÒ˜Ø∏Œ‰Íˇ¨◊„˛Á¸`⁄‹›fifl‡°·‚—±”’»ÚƯ˘¿ Á¸`⁄‹›fifl‡°·‚—±”’»ÚƯ˘¿|áéíóúâêîôûàèìòùäëïöüÿãñõÁÉÍÓÚÀÈÌÒÙÄËÏÖÜŸÑÃÕÂÊÎÔÛ ”“’‘ '"
Marriott, knows you want it to be just that: special. And we would
Renewal deadline: FRIDAY MARch 26
not have it any other way. From the menu we create, to the place settings, centerpieces and ambiance, every detail is designed to ensure your event is as memorable as it is effortless. Our dedicated staff is always at your service so that you and your guests will have everything you need to have a wonderful time. To reserve your sleeping rooms or event space, call 405-858-2452 or visit Marriott.com/OKCWA
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Waterford Marriott 6300 Waterford Blvd. Oklahoma City, OK 73118
By CHRIS SILVA
EVERYTHING ABOUT Kevin Durant speaks volumes, except the man himself.
Photo by LAYNE MURDOCH / ILLUSTRATION BY OLD HAT CREATIVE
26
His words are usually soft, matter-of-fact and almost always about the team. There is no air of arrogance, no self-righteousness. If humility had a fragrance, Durant would be doused in it. But his third-year statistics scream “Look at me!”
• He is in a virtual dead-heat with Cleveland Cavaliers star LeBron James for the NBA’s scoring lead, both players percentage points shy of 30 points a game.
• He set a franchise record by scoring at least 25 points in 29 consecutive games, the longest streak since Michael Jordan in the 1986-87 season.
• He has topped the 30-point barrier in 37 games this season, a league high.
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• He became the second-youngest player in league history to reach 4,000 career points – trailing only LeBron James.
• And in the Thunder’s Feb. 9 win over
Portland, Durant became the secondyoungest player in NBA history to surpass 1,500 points through the first 51 games of a season. It is a never-ending list of achievements. And remember, those are milestones that the 21-year-old Durant reached this season, which would be his senior season at the University of Texas. Clearly, it has been a steady climb for Durant, one that began shortly after last season ended, when statistics were not being tracked and his jump shot, ball handling and defense were not the only things he was trying to hone.
TAKE IT BACK to last June in Austin, Texas, the place Durant used to call home. Summer classes have begun, and Durant is merely one of many students. For the past two summers, instead of vacationing on some remote island, Durant has started each offseason in Austin, where he takes classes for his degree in education and works out with his fellow Longhorns. Here’s a guy about to enter his third NBA season who slept on two air mattresses on the floor of his old college roommate’s apartment because he thought staying in a hotel would be a waste of money. When he was not in class or study hall, he was in the gym. Texas coach Rick Barnes remembers Durant telling him on the night he committed to the Longhorns, that when the day comes for him to leave Texas, he’s really never going to leave. Durant told Barnes he would always be there in some way or another. He’ll keep coming back. And the best story Barnes has about Durant didn’t even happen during the one year he played for Texas. It happened last summer. As Barnes recalled, it was 9 or 10 o’clock on a Thursday night and Durant was in the gym. A non-scholarship player who had just arrived on campus for the first time
PHOTO BY LAYNE MURDOCH / NBAE / GETTY IMAGES
Kevin Durant, congratulating Serge Ibaka following a Thunder victory, prefers the spotlight to shine on team accomplishments, not individual feats.
went into the gym to find Durant and a few friends shooting at one basket. The walkon, embarrassed, and not knowing what to do, started to walk away. He pretended to text someone. Then he saw Durant make his way over. “Kevin walked up to him and said, ‘Aren’t you the new walk-on?’ And he said, ‘I am,’ and Kevin said, ‘Well, I’m Kevin Durant, welcome to the Texas family,’” Barnes recalled. “And Kevin told him to come on down and shoot with them. And that’s Kevin. It’s never been about him.” Barnes did not learn of that story until
three months later. When he did, he sought out Durant one night at a Longhorns event in Houston and told him, “Kevin, I just want you to know how much I appreciate what you have done and what you continue to do to our program,” Barnes said. “And he said, ‘Coach, I can’t thank you all enough.’ And he means it. He’s not just saying it.” That is part of the phenomena that surrounds Durant. Can someone so talented be so nice, so thankful? Well, yes. The young man who will hug his mother with national cameras following his every move is the same person who will spot a fan wearCONTINUED ON PAGE 31
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DURANT KNOWS that being named a team co-captain
with Jeff Green is a big deal. It is a responsibility he would not take lightly. Not only did he have to lead by example and vocally, he had to do it day in and day out. There’s no such thing as a break when you’re a captain, even when things aren’t going your way, which was exactly the case in the Thunder’s third game of the season, an 83-74 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers. Durant shot just 3-for-21 from the field in that game, but he never got down, never sulked. A year or two ago, Head Coach Scott Brooks said, that might not have been the case. “You’re seeing the maturity take place right in front of all of our eyes,” Brooks said that night. “A game like this, he would have been out of his mind. But I thought he stayed within the team. He is one of our captains and it showed tonight.” Durant went 10-for-14 from the free-throw line. He grabbed five rebounds, blocked two shots and looked to set up his teammates. Afterwards, Durant faced the questions, like he always has. There’s no hiding for Durant, not after an off-night this season or any of the Thunder’s 59 losses last season. He showers, dresses, turns and faces the bright
K D B Y TH E N U M B E R S
88.8
32 . 4
ing a Thunder road jersey in the stands at NBA All-Star Weekend, and include that fan in a shot attempt during the H.O.R.S.E. competition. Durant gives and keeps giving. He’s the kind of guy who feels bad when time won’t allow him to fulfill every autograph request; the kind of guy who will give away Thunder tickets to a struggling college kid over Twitter; the kind of guy who will, unprompted, phone the son of a Ford Center staffer on his birthday, knowing that it would make the kid’s day; the guy who will take a family in need on a shopping spree during the holidays, then purchase and host a Giving Tree to get others in the spirit. It’s Kevin being Kevin. Only days removed from walking the red carpet at the ESPY Awards in July, Durant took it upon himself to head to the Las Vegas Summer League. Instead of watching the games in the stands, he sat on the team bench. Not only did he serve as a teacher in team huddles, he practiced full-bore with the team on its off days. Durant can’t stray from a gym for too long. And on this particular day, Durant was getting after it. Giving max effort on full-court three-man weaves; running through play sets; and putting in that extra effort after practice, as he always does. Durant set an example. He was being a leader. “The team is the most important thing,” Durant said at the time. “These guys, we support each other throughout the year, so it’s a year-round thing for me.”
Free throw percentage, which ranks eighth in the NBA.
59 45
Number of games he has led the Thunder in scoring (out of 65).
Number of 30-plus point games this year – a franchise record (previous record: 35, set by Spencer Haywood, 1972-73).
Points he averaged during 29-game run where he scored at least 25 points.
Scoring average since Christmas day, tops in the NBA.
Season-high point total, achieved Jan. 31 vs. Golden State. Kevin made 16 of 21 field-goal attempts.
37 32.4 31.8 20 18 15
Games he has posted doubledigit scoring and rebounding totals – a team high.
Consecutive free throws made on Nov. 10 against Sacramento, an NBA season-high.
4
Games he has had at least 30 points and 10 rebounds, tops in the NBA.
Number of players in NBA history at age 21 or younger to score at least 400 points during the first 15 games of a season. (The others: LeBron James, Shaquille O’Neal, Michael Jordan.)
Rebounds per game, a team high. Number of games in a row where he scored at least 30 points, a franchise record and longest such streak in NBA since 2007.
7.5 7
Number of times named Western Conference Player of the Week (Dec. 28-Jan. 3; Jan. 25-31).
Current standing in the NBA scoring chase (29.8, behind only LeBron James at 29.9).
Steals per game, a team high.
4 2 2 1.34
statistics as of March 16, 2010
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lights. Cameras and digital recorders are in front of him, and questions abound. And for as young as he is, Durant has quite the grasp on the big picture, such as after that Portland game when he explained why he wouldn’t play the woe-is-me card. “That’s a part of me growing, being a leader,” Durant said. “I have to lead my team in the tough times and the good times.” Of course, the good times have outweighed the bad ones this season. Remember that Saturday night in New York, inside the most historic arena in basketball, Madison Square Garden, before more than 19,000 fans -- the very ones who Brooks said ranked as some of the most
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Kevin Durant has embraced the role, and responsibility, that comes with being a team co-captain. He is a supportive leader, as he shows with James Harden; a tireless worker; and rising NBA star, as evident at All-Star Weekend, where he sat courtside with Kevin Garnett, left, and Shaquille O’Neal during All-Star Saturday Night.
Photo by JED JACOBSOHN / NBAE / GETTY IMAGES
knowledgeable leatherheads in the country? The Thunder extended its season-best winning streak to eight games on Feb. 20, and Durant owned part of that night. After shooting 4-for-10 from the field in the first half, Durant honed in over the next
29 minutes of play. Brooks kept calling his number, kept going back to his leading scorer, and Durant responded with a flurry of crowdsilencing shots. There was a fadeaway jumper and a driving layup in the third quarter that kept it a one-possession game. There was the 17-footer early in the fourth and, minutes later, arguably his biggest shot of the season. Thunder down three with 18.2 seconds left. Ball out of bounds. Nick Collison sets a nasty screen on Durant’s man, KD shakes free, extends those long arms to receive a pass right on the money from Russell Westbrook. Durant locks in on his target, that small cylinder seemingly
widening by the nanosecond. His release is feathery, yet methodical, the product of tens of thousands of similar shots he’s practiced over the course of three seasons. The ball doesn’t even touch the rim. Swish. The game is tied and headed for overtime. Durant, charged with adrenaline and his face with one of those don’t-messwith-me looks, turns and surveys the crowd. Fists clenched, he brings his right hand to his forehead and gives a firm salute, as if to say, “thank you very much, now take that.” In overtime, Durant delivers another dagger and the Thunder leaves town with the victory. CONTINUED ON PAGE 35
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But leave it to Durant to defer any credit. “It’s not about me,” he insisted. “Jeff hit a big three, Nick got a big tip-in, Russell did a great job of getting to the basket, James got an offensive rebound. It’s far from being about me.”
DURANT STEPS onto the floor two hours,
seven minutes before tip-off, blowing into his still-chilly hands. Without saying a word, he catches a pass in the left corner, hoists it and swish. This is how Durant warms up on game days. Tonight, it’s the Phoenix Suns, with the Thunder carrying a nine-game winning streak. Durant first goes through a series of midrange jumpers from five different spots along the perimeter, with assistant coach Brian Keefe almost always the guy who’s shoveling him passes. After warming up his long arms, next come those long legs of his. Durant stands in a ready position in the left corner. He crouches low, his butt parallel to the floor, as if he’s on an invisible seat. He catches a pass, swings it through to his right, takes one step forward, pulls up and releases. He repeats this drill from several spots on the court. He’s still blowing into his hands. After a while, nearly every shot he takes is ripping through the net. And he’s just getting started. Next is a series of jump shots off curl, an imaginary high screen, and to watch him glide across the court in stride can make one marvel at his athleticism. Finally, more jump shots. This time it’s standstill, again, all around the perimeter. Sometimes when he misses, he’ll let out a grunt or mutter something to himself out of frustration. Hey, he’s human. And as competitive as they come. Just a few days ago in New York, after the team’s shoot-around inside an empty Madison Square Garden, the Thunder had a free-throw competition going. The big men were on one end of the floor, the perimeter guys on the other. First team to make seven swishes, best out of three wins. After Durant misses one, he gets on his own case. He’s genuinely mad. It’s like this even after practices, when he’s working on post-ups, high pick-and-rolls or passing out of a double team. But back to pregame at the Ford Center.
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Photo by J.P. WILSON
35
More than two hours before tip-off, Kevin Durant is on the floor, going through a rigorous pre-game routine with assistant coach Brian Keefe to get his arms, legs and mind game-ready.
PHOTO BY CHRIS COVATTA / NBAE / GETTY IMAGES
SINCE KEVIN DURANT does not like
talking about Kevin Durant, his peers are more than willing to put into words their thoughts on his play this season, which earned him his first All-Star Game
36
appearance as well as two NBA Player of the Week awards. At media day during All-Star Weekend, when a player is asked to talk about himself more than any other time throughout the season, Durant can’t help but thank his teammates. They are the ones, he insisted, who helped him get to this point. Fellow All-Stars have taken notice. “The way he’s playing right now is unbelievable,” Utah Jazz guard Deron Williams said. “Everybody expected that from him to happen,” the Lakers’ Kobe Bryant said. “I don’t know if people expected it to happen this soon, but that’s just a testament to his hard work and how much he’s prepared himself coming into this season.” “I love what he’s doing this year,” LeBron James said. But for Durant, it all begins and ends with the team. When he debuted his new KD2 sneaker during a nationally televised game, he was more gratified by his teammates’ decision to wear the bright orange sneakers with him. When he was putting up 25-point games at a record clip, he thanked his teammates for trusting him with the ball in his hands. Even when he won his second H-O-R-S-E
Photo by JOE MURPHY / NBAE / GETTY IMAGES
Durant’s wrapping up his routine. He slaps high-five with Keefe. He fist bumps a ball boy, greets another, and takes a couple of free throws. Then, as usual, he heads to the second seat closest to the scorer’s table. He opens up the game-day program, asks someone for a pen and hacks away at a crossword puzzle. This is “me-time” for Durant. Everyone leaves him be, but the guy’s so nice, so approachable, that if you interrupted, he’d give you the time of day. But really, why would you want to bother him? As you can tell from his meticulous preparation, Durant is working. And it’s that work ethic that allows him to perform the way he did not just in New York, but for the other 81 games a season. “That’s the sign of a player getting better,” Brooks said a few moments later. “He believes in the work he puts in.” Hard Work Beats Talent When Talent Fails to Work Hard. Durant has sworn by that phrase since his AAU playing days.
title, about as individual an award as they come, he still gives his Thunder teammates some credit. “I’ve never heard Kevin Durant say ‘I’ – I’ve never heard him say that,” Barnes said. “He’s a guy that deferred to his teammates and he still does now.” It just goes to show that Kevin Durant’s humility is about as refreshing as his blossoming talents are on the basketball court. Chris Silva is a writer for Thunder Basketball. Contact Chris at csilva@thunder-nba.com
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D-League, because as much as the Thunder and 66ers practice and preach player development, the 66ers are also in it to win it. Not even a week before the three were assigned to Tulsa, the 66ers were on a season-high five-game winning streak. A year ago, Tulsa had won a total of 15 games; the 66ers passed that mark this season on Feb. 10. In the 66ers’ 101-77 win against Ft. Wayne on March 7, Mullens, White and Weaver combined for 57 points. It marked the 66ers’ 23rd win on the season, fourth in a row and sixth consecutive at home. “Help Tulsa win games,” Brooks said. “It’s always about winning games. Nate (Tibbetts) does a great job of coaching the team and I just want them to focus in on what he wants at the moment. Right now, he’s like us. He wants to continue to work on defense and to be active defensively.” Mullens has brought stability to the center position, White adds another gritty interior defender who can also shoot from the perimeter, and Weaver has been able to play three positions, including point guard. Heading to Tulsa was something that Mullens lobbied for in an effort to get more playing time. “This was an opportunity to make a business move and a maturity move for myself,” he said. “If I can come here, I can get better. It’s been going good.”
In nine D-League games this season, forward D.J. White averaged 19.6 points and 11.1 rebounds. The Thunder recalled White on March 8. PhotoS by J.P. WILSON
TULSA PLAYS
KEY ROLE IN
THUNDER'S
'BIG PICTURE' “One of our goals with the 66ers is to shrink the distance between OKC and Tulsa through our integration.” – Sam Presti,
Thunder Executive Vice President and General Manager
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Commitment to partnership starts at the top for OKC’s NBA franchise By CHRIS SILVA Go up there and help them get wins. That was the gist of Thunder Head Coach Scott Brooks’ message to rookie Byron Mullens and second-year players Kyle Weaver and D.J. White when the trio was assigned to the Tulsa 66ers of the NBA
Guard Kyle Weaver, returNing from a shoulder injury, has played three positions for the 66ers.
Rookie center Byron Mullens, shown blocking a shot in the 66ers’ double-overtime win over Dakota, lobbied Thunder GM Sam Presti for a return to Tulsa. “If I can come here,” Mullens said, “I can get better.”
White (thumb) and Weaver (shoulder) were both coming off injuries, and Tulsa afforded each of them the opportunity to get back into game shape. “Player development is one of the better ops to our organization,” Thunder General Manager Sam Presti said. “The fact that we have an ongoing development program in Tulsa is important not only to the current growth of our organization, but also the future growth.” Presti said the Thunder-66ers affiliation is a “big-picture partnership,” a two-way street that benefits both parties. Presti, Brooks, Assistant General Manager Rich Cho, Assistant Coaches Brian Keefe and Mark Bryant and a couple of basketball operations staff members were on hand for that March 7 game, and Presti said there’s always a member of the team’s operations staff at every 66ers home game. Two days later, the Thunder invited the 66ers to practice at the INTEGRIS Health Thunder Training Center in the afternoon before taking in the Thunder-New Orleans Hornets game at the Ford Center. “One of our goals with the 66ers is to shrink the distance between OKC and Tulsa through our integration,” Presti said. Presti credited 66ers first-year coach
Nate Tibbetts for implementing the Thunder’s system as well as focusing on the organization’s core values. Tibbetts said the biggest thing he’s learned about his team is that the players are all high-character guys, which speaks volumes when you consider that the roster goes through several changes throughout the season either through free-agent signings or NBA players being reassigned, such as Mullens, Weaver and White. “Coaches sometimes say it, but I truly feel this is a special group of guys,” Tibbetts said. “Sometimes in the minors you can get groups of guys who are selfish or bad teammates, and we don’t have any of that. “We have a group of guys who come to work every day and a group that enjoys being around each other. When we go on the road or are in an airport, there’s not two guys here, four guys there. We’ve got all 10 guys sitting together and spending time together. We don’t have any separation. Just that and how they’re willing to work. They show up an hour, an hour and fifteen minutes before every practice and they stick around and work. It’s been fun.” Chris Silva is a writer for Thunder Basketball. Contact Chris at csilva@thunder-nba.com
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Shoot the
THRILLs Photographers go to great lengths – and expense – to capture the Thunder Basketball experience. by greg elwell
O
ne foot on a ladder, one foot hanging off in space. Two hands fiddling with a camera 12 feet off the ground. And the amazing thing? This isn’t even the most precarious position Layne Murdoch will be in tonight. Murdoch is like any other Thunder super-fan. He goes to every game he can – which is almost all of them – and when the team is winning, he gets pumped. Like, crazy pumped. And when they’re losing? He’s as frust rated as if he’d just locked his keys in t he car. But he’s not like the rest of the screaming crowds inside the Ford Center, for two main reasons: 1) Murdoch spends the majority of each game with his butt on the floor; and 2) He sees the action on the court through the
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SHOOT THE THRILLS
PHOTOGRAPHER'S
SELECTION “I love this photo because it tells the story of defeating a really good team in our division and conference in a very close and extremely exciting game on New Year's Eve. I love a good action shot, but there is nothing more thrilling to me than capturing a defining moment that shows the emotion of a Thunder win.” layne murdoch
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viewfinder on his camera. Murdoch is a full-time photographer for Getty Images, with more than 20 years experience of shooting NBA games. He is one of five team-assigned photographers at every Thunder game, tasked with the indescribably excellent job of transforming heart-pounding basketball action into iconic snapshots for the rest of us to enjoy. Think about what goes into your Thunder experience. World-class athletes. A beautiful arena. Mouth-watering food. But look around you – in the Ford Center or driving around Oklahoma City or even at home on your computer – and you’ll see t he importance of pictures. They line the walls of the Ford Center
and grace the program covers. Billboards tower over the city with pictures of Thunder players. They’re all over newspapers, magazines and online. These images are the lifeblood of the connection bet ween t he f ra nch ise a nd t he fa ns. The most amazing thing is that the Thunder photographers do so much in just 48 minutes every night, said Dan Mahoney, Vice President of Corporate Communications for the Thunder. “Those photos are vital to how we present the Thunder publicly through our website, game program, magazine, billboards, advertising and other promotional short and long-term uses,” he said. “It takes a special eye to grab CONTINUED ON PAGE 47
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the excitement of an NBA game, and our photographers have it.” Murdoch is a full-time photographer for NBA Entertainment, with more than 29 years experience of shooting NBA games. “I’m as close to the game as you can get without being a referee or a player,” he said. Sure, it’s still a job, with all the ensuing hassles and problems, but don’t think that turning basketball photography into a career has dulled the excitement for Murdoch. Even though it’s a paid job for him, it’s still a job he loves. “I still get a thrill watching the games,” he said. “I’ve been doing this for years, but when I get that perfect shot at that perfect moment...man, there’s nothing like it.” But just as Kevin Durant doesn’t make it to the NBA without practice, photographers don’t get to sit courtside without a whole lot of preparation. You might roll into the Ford Center with 10
minutes to spare before the 7 p.m. game begins. Murdoch gets there … at 3:30. Then again, you just have to wait in line for a pretzel and a hot dog; Murdoch is setting up cameras, taping down wires, prepping remotes and checking strobe flashes. Which is how Murdoch found himself precariously balanced on a ladder, making sure his behind-thebackboard camera is ready to immortalize a dunk or blocked shot for posterity. After 29 years in the business, setting up is second nature. He rolls into the building with two suitcases stuffed to the gills with photo equipment. He knows just where the cameras will go and exactly where to focus the lens. Murdoch is like an artist painting a canvas, except he has to time his brushstrokes just so to create the pictures we love. When the players are on his side of the court, he’s using a handheld camera to capture the action. When they’re on the other side of the court, he has to
(Top) Layne Murdoch checks on his strobe lighting kits up in the Ford Center rafters hours before the game. His next stop: setting up his remote cameras to capture shots like this one.
www.metrosupplies.com 47
SHOOT THE THRILLS
SHOOT THE THRILLS
PHOTOGRAPHER'S
SELECTION
“I love this photo because it shows the fun of the State Fair in the background, with prizes and kids playing the games, and Thunder forward D.J. White laughing, having fun just like the kids.” j.p. wilson
wait and anticipate and feel the right moment to capture a slam dunk 90 feet away from him. “The right shot isn’t just when it (the ball) goes in, but in that next moment when the player pulls himself into the frame,” he said.
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B
ut the action on the court is just the tip of the iceberg for the Thunder shooters. Every game presents a variety of special moments. Whether it’s ball boys for the game, kids in the High 5 tunnel, in-game recognitions, interactions with the Thunder Girls or post-game group photos on center court, the Thunder makes sure the moment is captured for those involved. And more often than not, J.P. Wilson or his father, Paul, are right there, cameras in hand, to capture the moment. J.P. is always on the go, jumping up from his baseline position during timeouts to capture anything and everything involving the crowd, the Thunder Girls and Rumble, as well as delivering photo cards for a live in-game photo gallery on thunder.nba.com.
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SHOOT THE THRILLS PHOTOGRAPHER'S
SELECTION “This image shows heart and hustle that every Thunder player displays each and every game.” paul wilson
GO ONLINE Each of the photographers featured have hand-picked their favorite images from this season. Their work is featured in individual photo galleries on thunder.nba.com. Be sure to check it out.
“You learn to see ahead,” J.P. Wilson said. “For everything else photographers have, from expensive cameras to a seat right by the action, it’s being ready for the right shot to come along that makes the difference.” Paul Wilson spends most of his time above the court level, getting guests photos they’ve had taken with the Thunder Girls’ and snapping shots on the concourse. Focusing on the fans makes his day, because it makes their visit to the Ford Center that much more special. “The thing I love best about this
PG. 39 AD 10
job is the people,” he said. “They are as friendly as can be. And they understand – I want to make them look good, because I want to help make a memory for them that will last forever.” Although the game itself is prime time for great pictures, the Wilsons also shoot plenty of ancillary events where Rumble visits or when school kids tour the Ford Center. “We sometimes take it for granted, but for most folks, getting to walk on the same court NBA athletes play is a huge treat,” Paul Wilson said. CONTINUED ON PAGE 52
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R
PHOTOGRAPHER'S
SELECTION Thunder Basketball, to me, is “My chance to share what I capture with the world. It is pure excitement. Nothing but positive energy.” richard rowe
MEET THE PHOTOGRAPHERS LAYNE MURDOCH Number of cameras used each night: 5-6 Number of lenses: 5-6 Favorite angle: Through the glass backboard Pre-game routine: Turn on the strobe units when I arrive, set up radio remotes, set up camera remotes before players hit the floor, test all remote cameras, get computer set up with the night's game caption. Connect to Getty and NBA ftp sites, meet with Thunder media relations and website personnel to discuss any immediate photo needs. Tech talk: Shooting with the strobes is a consistent exposure at 1/250 @ f:6.3 ISO 250
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Thunder Basketball, to me, is: High energy, fast-paced and exciting. I love the youth of the team and the fact that they really seem to enjoy each other on and off the court. The future looks very bright. I have known Coach Brooks for many, many years. We became friends when he played for the Dallas Mavericks in the mid-90s, so I am extremely proud of his success.
J.P. WILSON Number of cameras used each night: 4 Number of lenses: 6 Favorite angle: Court level, with the camera on the actual court level. Pre-game routine: Make sure all of my cameras are up and running smoothly; check the shot list to see what has to be taken before, during and after the game. Tech talk: My favorite setting is shooting with strobes, which gives me a higher f stop to shoot with and a low ISO as well.
ichard Rowe sits on the opposite end of the court with a few cameras at his feet. He’s capturing the game as well, but he also snaps photos of fans in the stands and any slice-of-life moments that will bring the game closer to home for people. “Man, I love the thrill of game day,” he said, scrolling through his most recent shots. “You get the music blaring and the fans crammed into their seats and when the game starts – it’s just insanity.” It’s not just t he game he loves – it’s every t hing. “I love to get a great shot on the court, but sometimes my best shots are going to be a kid in the stands who is having the time of his life or a crowd all decked out in Thunder gear who are pumped up for a win,” he said. “Some of my favorites are when you mix it all up, like when a player ends up in the seats with the fans. That kind of i nteract ion is golden.” And where Layne gets to work early, Richard is up late, getting home at 1 a.m. and immediately editing and uploading pictures for the Thunder to use on the Web, in publications or various print pieces. But his wife isn’t too angry about him coming in late – because she’s shooting the games, too. Up in the stands is Angie Rowe, and she’s concentrating on a whole different kind
Paul Wilson Number of cameras used each night: 3
Richard Rowe Number of cameras used each night: 3
Number of lenses: 3
Number of lenses: 3-4
Favorite angle: Same angle as television cameras
Favorite angle: On the floor, shooting down court, blowing out the background. It really makes the subject pop.
Pre-game routine: Check the list of shots that need to be taken for the night’s game. Tech talk: (best settings, etc.) On Thunder Basketball, to me, is: Fun and exciting.
Pre-game routine: Setting the cameras, and getting a spot to shoot. Tech talk: I shoot for action. Ten frames per second: 1600 ISO, F-4.0 @ 640 speed.
Angie Rowe Number of cameras used each night: 1 Number of lenses: 1 Favorite angle: First-tier level, Section 116 Pre-game routine: Get to the Ford Center early, set up my camera then say hello and visit till game time. Tech talk: ISO 1600, speed 800, f stop 4.0-4.5
Thunder Basketball, to me, is: Community awareness and giving. Giving so much to the community and those in need.
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SHOOT THE THRILLS
SHOOT THE THRILLS
PHOTOGRAPHER'S
SELECTION
Thunder Basketball, to me, is “Having the opportunity to capture exciting moments and unexpected emotions during the game.” angie rowe
of picture. “I get the game, sure, but I’m also trying to capture the excitement and the atmosphere,” she said. “The players are always the reason we’re here, but for fans, what’s happening around the game can be just as impor tant.” Angela’s problem is that people act differently when there’s a camera trained on them. Suddenly their moves are exaggerated or stilted. People pose and preen and it strips away the reality of the situation — which is why she speaks softly and carries a BIG lens. “I can get amazing up-close shots from really far away,” she said. “And because I’m so far off, the people don’t know they’re in the shot, so they don’t
Thunder photographers are armed with an arsenal of gear and equipment for every game.
Richard Rowe can smile after this near-miss with a flying Russell Westbrook, a moment captured by Layne Murdoch. ‘I’ve been run over six times, but only hurt once,’ Rowe says.
care. When you can shoot somebody being natural and genuine, you get to see the real excitement that NBA basketball brings.”
carries multiple cameras, because switching lenses takes too long. And while the rest of us can get a nice snapshot with a handheld point-and-shoot, these folks bring along some heavy artillery to get the job done. J.P. And Paul Wilson lug suitcases filled with more than $30,000 in cameras and equipment. Including computers and storage, Richard and Angie Rowe spent about $75,000 to shoot and store
«»
A
s fun and as exciting as it is, shooting games is still it and to do a job right, you need the right equipment. Each of the photographers
FUN WITH NUMBERS
5,500 Layne
500
the rowes
1,000
Shots
5,500
Shots per game:
per game
= 152.
7777
36-exposure
rolls taken each game
43
home games
(includes two preseason games) this season
x 152.7777
equals
6,569
"Rolls" of film
shot each season
the wilsons
4,000 54
236,500 Shots taken
during the season
seats 18,203 in the ford center
236,500 — 18,203 Shots taken 13 in the ford cen ter
for every seat
their pictures. Which brings us back to Layne Murdoch. The most experienced of the group, who has more than $70,000 in equipment every night including cameras, lenses, mounts, remotes and st robes. So what’s more dangerous than hanging thousands of dollars of equipment from a backboard with only one foot on the ladder? “Sitting on the court, that is the danger zone,” he said. “When a play goes wrong and you’ve got 400-plus pounds of muscle and bone barreling at you, you’ve got to hang in there and take the shot.” And Richard Rowe knows all about it. “I’ve been run over six times, but only hurt once,” he said. “I’m ‘fluffy’ and these players are lean with elbows and arms like razors. When they hit you – hoo! – you know you’ve been hit.” And while he tries to protect himself and his gear, the most important thing is getting that picture. And that is how you capture an iconic image: You’ve got to be there.
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PhotoS by J.P. WILSON
Thunder Youth League
Growing by
Leaps& (Re)Bounds The lessons of basketball stretch far beyond the hardwood. The game demands teamwork and passion, physical fitness and mental agility. Such concepts not only make for good basketball -- they make for a good life. And that truth is what drives the Thunder’s ongoing commitment to its Youth Basketball program. “Our goal is to take the spirit of Thunder Basketball into the community,” said Dan Mahoney, Vice President of Corporate Communications and Community Relations for the Thunder. “It’s about teaching basketball fundamentals
NBA team’s commitment to community, kids evident with program and upcoming basketball camps BY PHIL BACHARACH
and those things that come with it, like supporting each other as a team, hard work, community, resiliancy and respect for parents, coaches, referees and yourself. And the kids have a lot of fun in the process.” That fun is undoubtedly the biggest reason boys and girls continue to flock to the Thunder Youth Basketball League. Launched in 2008 in partnership with the City of Oklahoma City’s Parks & Recreation Department, the Thunder Youth Basketball League helps kids from kindergarten through fifth-grade cultivate CONTINUED ON PAGE 58
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Thunder Youth League on-court skills and off-court character. The league boasted some 600 participants its inaugural year. In its second and recently concluded season, that number had grown to more than 800. Like the game itself, the Thunder Youth Basketball League relies on the commitment of scores of people, from parents to the 160 coaches who donate their time and talent. And that includes a number of Thunder players and coaches who have helped teach pint-sized hoopsters to dribble, pass and shoot. Wanda James, whose son plays Thunder Youth Basketball, was especially impressed when Thunder guard Kyle Weaver showed up one Saturday to coach the kids at the Foster Recreation Center in Oklahoma City. “This young man took the time to show the kids, ‘Hey, I’m not someone you can just watch on TV or see on the court at the Ford Center,’” James said. “(They) can also see this person on the court here.” And Thunder Youth Basketball is growing in leaps and (re)bounds, thanks to the introduction of Thunder Youth Basketball camp and clinics. Open to boys and girls from 5 through 12, the multi-day programs focus on basketball basics and the inevitable lifelessons that emerge from team sports. To that end, the Thunder has enlisted the help of the National Basketball Academy, a professional basketballtraining organization that has handled youth basketball operations for such NBA teams as the Cleveland Cavaliers and Orlando Magic. Working with the Thunder, the Academy is responsible for the development and coordination of all Thunder Youth Basketball activities. The first camp was held over spring break, and more are scheduled throughout the summer. Registration forms are available online at thunder.nba.com. Thunder Season Ticket Members and members of the Thunder Kids Club receive a 20-percent
Thunder guard Kyle Weaver served as a coach, official and mentor during a Feb. 27 visit to Youth League games.
discount off of registration. The Thunder Youth Basketball League, camps and clinics are just part of the team's expanded effort exploring new opportunities for growth throughout central Oklahoma. The Thunder knows the importance of giving children the chance to play and learn, and how doing so helps provide young people with a future promising to be nothing but net.
Thunder Head Coach Scott Books put it best when he visited leaguers and coaches earlier this season. “Coaches teach you about the game of sportsmanship, and they teach you about the game of adulthood,” he said. “Our kids want to do the right thing, but we’ve got to continue to teach and help them.” Phil Bacharach is the Director, Corporate Communications for the Thunder. CONTINUED ON PAGE 60
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Thunder CARES Top photo: Reading Time-Outs are important to the Thunder and its players. Thabo Sefolosha is surrounded by elementary school students during a visit earlier this season. Inset: Russell Westbrook shows his ‘mudding’ and taping skills.
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Small, left: D.J. White reads to a group of students and their family members during his visit to the Oklahoma City Indian Clinic. Jeff Green, with Westbrook, Ollie and Weaver in background, goes over day’s events with Extreme Makeover Home Edition crew members.
Lower, left photo: With hard hats on, Kevin Ollie (left) and Kyle Weaver get busy during a day with the Extreme Makeover Home Edition crew. Thabo Sefolosha shares a fun moment during a family shopping spree at Homeland stores.
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presented by
Cheer on the team for all road games, meet Rumble and the Thunder Girls at select locations, and win great prizes. The first 50 people who enter the doors will receive a free Thunderstruck Tour t-shirt.
RUMBLE GOES TO THE CAPITOL Rumble the Bison was honored on the floors of the Oklahoma State House and Senate on Feb. 17, highlighting the oneyear anniversary of his debut.
This represents the locations in which Rumble and the Thunder Girls will be present.
Sen. Todd Lamb of Edmond read a proclamation, declaring the day Rumble the Bison Day at the State Capitol. A humbling experience for a less than humble bison, the reigning NBA Mascot of the Year. Photos by J.P. WILSON
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(1) Thunder Chairman Clay Bennett sits courtside with NBA legend Bill Russell, winner of 11 NBA Championships in a 13-year career.
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(1) Thunder GM Sam Presti (l-r) stands with forward Kevin Durant, guard Russell Westbrook and trainer Joe Sharpe before the Feb. 16 game vs. Dallas. Presti presented Team USA jerseys to Durant and Westbrook before the game to recognize their selection to the 201012 USA Men’s National Team program. Sharpe is a trainer for Team USA.
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(2) WWE announcer Jim “J.R.” Ross visits with fans before a Thunder game. (3)Thunder Girls Shereka (l) and Bonnie, wearing their ’70s outfit. (4) Rumble the Bison joins bucket drummer Peter Rabbit during a halftime show.
(2) NBA halftime entertainer Christopher performs his tribute to Michael Jackson.
(5) Sooners football Coach Bob Stoops takes in the Thunder-Kings game.
(3) Nadia Comaneci and Bart Conner enjoy a night in a suite. (4) NFL stars and former Sooners Mark Clayton (l) and Tommie Harris enjoy their night with the Thunder.
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(6) Young fans enjoy the pre-game experience moments before tip-off. (7) Love’s Ultimate Thunder Fan ‘Brickman’ and his series of posters stand out in the crowd.
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(5) Former NBA superstar Dominique Wilkins, moments before going on-air with the Atlanta Hawks broadcast team.
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(6) Rap star and TV personality Xzibit sits courtside with a friend.
(8) "Wizard of Oz" cast member Lindsey Bliven sings the national anthem. 6 9
(7) Singer John Mayer salutes the Ford Center crowd wearing a Thunder jerseyduring his March 5 performance. (8) One sign fits all. (9) Jonathan Crider of Lawton receives the Devon Energy Community Hero award.
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Your 2009-2010 Alexis
Amanda
Ashley
Blair
Bonnie
Crystal
Erica
Hayley
Helen
Jada
Kodie
Krystal
Lateshia
Lindsay
NAOKO
Riane
Shereka
Sheri THUNDER.NBA.COM
Follow on Twitter: twitter.com/thundergirls
has photos, videos and bios of all the Thunder Girls
Commitment Runs Deep
Jeff Green goes low while the kids go high to meet hands in the Howard Sports High 5 Tunnel. For information about the program, call 405.208.HOOP or email grouptix@thunder-nba.com. Photo by RICHARD A. ROWE
Making a Difference
Every day our employees dedicate themselves to serve as good neighbors and responsible citizens. Together we are making a difference. devonenergy.com
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