Ranking the Thunder’s 41 home games
If you’re like my wife and son, one of those fans that can’t afford season tickets, you choose 6 or 7 games to attend each season.
I’ve ranked the 41 home games 1 through 41 with a comment on every game.
Most NBA games provide some entertainment vaule. The Pistons (No. 32), Rockets (No. 34, 35) and Indiana star Danny Granger (No. 37) are games ranked near the bottom of my list.
1-Cleveland (Dec. 13) LeBron and Shaq will form one of the most entertaining duos, on and off the court, the league has ever seen. They might even win an NBA title.
2-Boston (Dec. 4) The Celtics are always a big draw. They still have All Stars Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce and might win another championship.
3-Lakers (Nov. 3). Kobe Bryant and the defending champs have added Ron Artest. Just a week into the season the Ford Center features a game that’s assured of being a sellout before the season starts.
4-Orlando (Nov. 8). Dwight Howard posted his first career triple double last season in the Ford Center. Months later the Magic clobbered LeBron and the Cavs to reach the NBA Finals.
5-LA Clippers (Nov. 15). Blake Griffin’s only appearance in his hometown arrives early in the season.
6-Lakers (March 26) If you didn’t get to see Kobe, Artest, Gasol, Phil Jackson and the Lakers the first time you get a second chance.
7-Miami (Jan. 16) Dwyane Wade’s only visit to the Ford Center is always one of the top games on the schedule.
8-Dallas (Dec. 16) This the Thunder’s only game on national TV, a chance for the Ford Center crowd to get Mavs owner Mark Cuban riled up on ESPN.
9-Utah (Dec. 31). The traditional New Year’s Eve game featues a quality opponent and one of the league’s best point guards (Deron Williams).
10- San Antonio (Jan. 13) The Spurs are trying to make another title run, trading for Jefferson who joins Duncan, Ginobili and Parker.
11-New Orleans (March 10) The Hornets will always have a soft spot in OKC fans’ hearts as long as Chris Paul is on the roster.
12-Denver (Jan. 29) Carmelo Anthony broke Thunder fans hearts twice last year with game-winning buzzer-beaters in the Ford Center.
13-Portland (Nov. 1) A young team with a bright future, led by All Star Brandon Roy, LaMarcus Aldridge and Greg Oden, took a giant step forward last season.
14-San Antonio (March 22). If you didn’t catch Duncan, Ginobili, Parker and the Spurs the first time around you get a second chance.
15-Chicago (Jan. 27) Reigning Rookie of the Year Derrick Rose matches up against 2008 ROY Kevin Durant.
16-Denver (April 7) If you missed Carmelo, Chauncey Billups and the Nuggets the first time around you get a second chance.
17-Dallas (Feb. 16) Dirk Nowitzki and the Mavericks play exactly two months apart in the Ford Center.
18-Sacramento (Oct. 28) This game normally would rank near the bottom but it’s the season opener.
19-New Orleans (Jan. 6) This is the first of two visits by Chris Paul and the Hornets but it’s the week of the national college football title game if there’s some local interest.
