Jenni Carlson

Opinions from The Oklahoman sports columnist

Rain: Punishment or preparation? June 29, 2007 | Comment on this article

So, it’s raining again today. Big shocker, eh? Some folks around here are beginning to wonder if we’re being punished for something. I say we’re preparing for something. The Sonics. They are still Seattle’s squad, but if they don’t get an arena deal done in the Pacific Northwest, Oklahoma... Read More

Never too early for ’08 Draft June 28, 2007 The 2007 NBA Draft is only hours away. That means the 2008 draft is only a year away. I know, I know, this is jumping a gun a little seeing as how this year’s picks have yet to be made, this year’s millionaires have yet to be named. And yet, there are already folks out there thinking about what happens next... Read More

Durant No. 1? No way June 27, 2007 There’s talk wafting around the Pacific Northwest that the draft might go Durant-Oden instead of Oden-Durant. Yep, some folks up that way believe Portland might take Texas phenom Kevin Durant instead of Ohio State big man Greg Oden with the No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft. That’d leave Seattle, of course, with... Read More

JamesOn not off his rocker June 26, 2007 The news last week that JamesOn Curry would leave Oklahoma State and remain in the NBA Draft despite working out for exactly zero teams shocked many. Contrary to popular belief, though, this isn’t the worst idea ever. Fantastic? Tragic? No on both counts. Curry will be undrafted. Of that, there seems... Read More

Summertime? Summer Games June 13, 2007 The 2008 Olympics are not so far away, and USA Gymnastics is already gearing up. It has teamed with AT&T to do a series of online videos about the sport in the States. Three episodes are already linked up, and in the first one, you’ll notice a nice dose of Oklahoma flavor. Olympic hopeful Jonathan Horton... Read More

Grow up, J.R. June 12, 2007 J.R. Smith became a fan favorite during his one year in Oklahoma City with the Hornets. It wasn’t his game we loved. It was his youthful spirit. Smith acted like a big kid. Goofy. Funny. He’d come out of the locker room at halftime, and if they were playing the “Everybody Clap Your Hands” song, he’d... Read More

Star in the making? June 11, 2007 Hope you had a chance to catch our scholar-athlete package on Sunday. Every year, these kids amaze me. Talented athletes. Dedicated students. None were more impressive this year than Leigh McCoy of Casady and Steven Perry of Bishop McGuinness. Here’s a little leftover tidbit about Perry, who’s going to play... Read More

The King is still a prince May 24, 2007 LeBron James is still learning. For the second time in as many games, James and his Cleveland Cavaliers gave away a victory in Detroit. They had a chance to win both road games in the Eastern Conference Finals. Great chances, in fact. Donyell Marshall had a wide-open look at a game-winning three in Game 1. James... Read More

Pinging and ponging May 23, 2007 The NBA has once again captured the imagination of Oklahomans. The bouncing ping pong balls bounced in favor of the Seattle-soon-to-be-Oklahoma-City Sonics, and now, they have a chance to snag Kevin Durant or Greg Oden. Whichever player is left after the Portland Trail Blazers draft will be scooped up by the... Read More

Home of Super Bowl XLV May 22, 2007 So, the Dallas Cowboys’ new stadium has been awarded Super Bowl XLV. That’s Super Bowl 45 for those of you who are Roman numeral challenged. Even though the game is four years away — 2011 — the announcement that it is coming to the Dallas area should excite folks in Oklahoma. No doubt few of us will... Read More

See DeMarco run. Run DeMarco, run. May 22, 2007 Just in case you need a little football fix, here’s a little highlight video of Oklahoma tailback DeMarco Murray. On it are clips from his high school days at Bishop Gorman in Las Vegas. Most of them are impressive, but I particularly like the flip into the endzone only a few seconds into the highlights.... Read More

Jenni Carlson

Want a different take on sports? Jenni Carlson provides her unique insight on everything from the pros to the college ranks to the preps and everything in between.