Readers split on Thunder name
NBA in OKC
In poll, 51 percent rejected the idea
Readers split on Thunder name

By Darnell Mayberry

Published: July 22, 2008

According to a poll on The Oklahoman's Web site, NewsOK.com, 51 percent of the paper's readers don't like the name Thunder. As of late Monday night, 890 people had voted.

"I think Thunder is a good name,” said Richard Hendricks, 67, of Guthrie. "In some ways people might think the Thunder is negative. But it's a symbol of power and aggressiveness and strength, and that's what Oklahomans are all about.”

Hendricks, director of the Oklahoma Sports Museum, said a buffalo as the mascot would be a natural fit for the team since the American Bison is the state mammal.

"I think that would be a great logo and a great nickname for an NBA team,” said Hendricks, who is admittedly partial to bison because he graduated from Oklahoma Baptist, home of the Bison.

Ben Newcomb, on the other hand, called the name Thunder "fair.”

"It's all right,” said Newcomb, 30, of Oklahoma City. "Out of what I've heard on the radio and everything it's not the worst thing I could think of. I actually liked Barons. But Thunder, in all honesty, is not as hickish as some of the other ones they could have chosen. So it's a good second-place choice.”

Others have complained that Thunder is simply a loud noise, something you hear and don't see and it isn't harmful and not all that frightening. It's also being knocked by some who think it's too generic and don't like that it doesn't end in the letter "s.”

Roberta Greenway, 61, of Chickasha, said Thunder eventually will catch on if that's what the name turns out to be.

"I think that it's going to be acceptable probably to everyone, because they're ready to get on with it and get the team playing,” said Greenway. "And it's kind of positive, and we do have a lot of thunder and lighting here in the state.”

Greenway preferred Rough Riders.

"I just kind of think that we've gone through some rough times but we always come through them,” Greenway said. "But I will go with the Thunder if that's what they chose. I'm just glad that Oklahomans are accepting the NBA in Oklahoma. It is something that we have needed.”

P.J. Mills, sports talk radio host at KREF-1400 AM in Norman, took calls Monday from listeners who loved Thunder and hated it. Mills said he is impressed with how passionate people have become regarding the franchise's name.

"I think that's a good sign that people are emotionally invested, and it either makes them happy or upset,” Mills said. "If they didn't care, I think that would be a little bit more telling.”

Mills said he's not a big fan of Thunder but added he feels the name could be a lot worse.

"It could have been better, but I'm not necessarily against it,” he said. "When you think about a lot of the team names, they might not have made a lot of sense at first but now they have so much tradition and longevity that you just accept it. And I think the Thunder, if they can do well and prosper, they'd just be the Thunder.”

Hendricks, the Oklahoma Sports Museum director, called the team "a real positive for Oklahoma” in spite of the various opinions on the nickname.

"I think people are going to support it, and I don't see any reason why it won't be successful,” said Hendricks. "It might be a couple of years before we turn out an NBA championship, but it's not impossible.”

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