What do we call them?<br/><span class='hl2'>The one name that makes sense: Thunderbirds</span>

If the SuperSonics move to Oklahoma City (likely), and the name is left in Seattle as part of a negotiated settlement (likely), let me start the debate on a new name for OKC's team.

Thunderbird was also an American Indian superhero for Marvel Comics. Courtesy: Marvel.com

Thunderbirds.

There will be other ideas.

89ers, though don't bet on that, since Clay Bennett scrapped that name from the minor-league baseball team a decade ago.

Wildcatters, which would play to the oil industry and wouldn't even be confused for Wildcats, since there are no major-league Wildcats in American sport, remarkably enough.

Bandits. Outlaws. Jellicle Cats. All kinds of names will be trotted out.

I like Thunderbirds.

Thunderbirds honors Oklahoma's historic 45th Infantry Division, which long ago adopted the mythical bird as a symbol, and also plays to Oklahoma's American Indian heritage

As an old newspaperman, I like it because it's got all kinds of derivatives. T-Birds. Birds. Thunders. You need that for headline purposes. You can do a lot with Thunderbirds, .

Thunderbirds works politically, too, I would assume, since they are myths, and how can you offend something that doesn't exist?

Marketing? It's a slam dunk. The Thunderbirds playing in the Ford Center? What could be more natural? I know, I know, the Ford Center name is up for grabs if a major-league franchise moves in, but how could Ford — the Oklahoma dealers or the national boys — resist paying big bucks if shiny new T-Birds sat in the lobby and dunking T-Birds were out on the court?

The floor is open. But my vote, for now, goes to Thunderbirds.