Hornets left big shoes for new team to fill Hornets left big shoes for new team to fill
By Berry Tramel
Published: July 13, 2008
Oklahoma City has a permanent NBA team because it first had a temporary NBA team. No debate about that.
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The Hornets experiment gave OKC a precious tryout, and Oklahomans made the most of that showcase.
Now comes the potential downside to that two-year test run. The Hornets, who didn't always play elite basketball but always produced elite entertainment, left some mighty big shoes to fill.
That's Clay Bennett's biggest mission in these infant days of his franchise's move to his hometown.
The basketball will boom or bust on the heads and shoulders of Sam Presti, P.J. Carlesimo and Kevin Durant.
The business side will boom automatically for a year or three.
But Bennett can most affect his franchise with his mandates and hirings on the entertainment side of headquarters. Can he make sure the Ford Center is as much fun for the Not-the-Sonics as it was for the Hornets?
Easier said than done. NBA officials will admit privately that some franchises are way ahead of others in fan amusement. And the Hornets are near the league's best.
Which usually is no huge deal if you only frequent one NBA arena. T-Wolves fans don't get down to Orlando that often. Jazz fans are rare in Chicago's United Center. You've got what you've got in your home precinct and you don't know any better.
But Oklahoma City is different. We're about to experience a game presentation from another franchise while the Hornets remain fresh in memory.
Comparisons are certain. Anything less than the Hornets' standard will be considered inadequate.
And it's not as easy as just duplicating the Hornets' music and promos and skits. Like in almost everything else, people make the difference.
Josh Richardson was the Hornets' director of game presentation in Oklahoma City and does the same in New Orleans.
"If he's not the best in the league, he's in the top two or three,” said Michael Thompson, who was the Hornets' director of corporate communications until taking the same job with the Charlotte Bobcats earlier this year.
"Josh gets it. He understands NBA games are about the fans and NBA games are about entertainment. Certainly basketball is the most important element of that entertainment.
"But you can't predict wins and losses. You need to be able to entertain fans at all times.”
The Hornets certainly did that, with their dance cam and kiss cam, their outrageous halftime acts and stunts with Hugo the Hornet, their clever use of music and video.
All teams produce similar stunts, but some presentations are better than others.
"I love the challenge,” Richardson said. "We try to entertain fans from the minute they walk in to the time they leave. That's our goal.”
Two recommendations for Bennett:
1. Try to hire away Richardson, and Thompson, for that matter, who as the Hornets' public-address announcer became a familiar voice to all those smiling fans.
2. Make entertainment an absolute commitment. No shortcuts in budget or time or attitude.
Both Richardson and Thompson expressed contentment in their current jobs, but no reason why Bennett couldn't find their equals.
And maybe more important than No. 1 is No. 2. If Bennett sets the tone, the entertainment will follow.
Thompson said the Hornets' game presentation starts at the top, with owner George Shinn.
"That was always his focus,” Thompson said. True story, Thompson says. Shinn will message Richardson during a game with tips. "Woman with a great sign in Section 118.”
"George is constantly watching those things,” Thompson said. "Not all owners have that focus. That's a real point of emphasis.”
It must be a point of emphasis for the new team playing in the Ford Center. Bennett surely knows that, having sat courtside for a bunch of Hornet games, watching some basketball and having a good time.
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Cory, I dont' agree that playing a few regular-season games in Tulsa is an insane idea, and it is not unprecidented either. For many years the Green Bay Packers played two or three regular-season games in Milwaukee every year. And within the NBA, I remember the Jazz playing regular-season games in Las Vegas, the Celtics in in Hartford, CT, the LA Clippers in Anaheim, and the then Washington Bullets in Baltimore. The reason that these were discontinued was that in most cases the secondary facilities could not be kept up to NBA standards. Tulsa's new arena, however, is almost as big, and should be every bit as nice, as the Ford Center. And I don't think playing in Tulsa would be giving up the home court advantage. I think if the team makes an effort to make Tulsa feel part of the team, then the crowds at a Tulsa game will be plenty enthusiastic. So I think it would be smart for the team to play a few regular-season games in Tulsa for the first couple of years, but no more than six. And if it doesn't work out, it doesn't work out.
Berry Tramel,
Thank you for your grossly under-qualified opinion on NBA entertainment....
Or maybe, since you're a such seasoned writer in OKC, I'm guessing you've covered so many NBA games across the nation that you have a finely cultivated palate with the enhanced ability to discern what is and what is not a great game production. To be clear - New Orleans game operations (albeit very entertaining) is not the second coming of Christ. I've been to several Sonics home games and I have traveled to watch many other NBA teams. Truth be told - the New Orleans Game Operations crew knows their stuff and the Hornets show is high quality.
That said - Did you know the Sonics game operations staff is consistently recognized by NBA league entertainment with providing several Best Practices on their game presentation? I'm guessing NOT. Rather then recommend hiring away Josh Richardson from New Orleans.... you should have first done your homework and researched the game presentation for the Sonics. Maybe you should have called the Sonics Vice President of Marketing and asked HIM what he thinks about their game presentation. Here's a thought, maybe you should have called the league office and ask their impressions of the Sonics game presentation before you wrote this protracted love sonnet for Josh. I'm surprised one of your two recommendations wasn't "canonize Josh for miraculous feats of spectacular and awe-inspiring entertainment." At best... your article is one-sided & incomplete. Congratulations on your mediocrity.
"Oh jill, still trying to compare the Charlotte move to New Orleans as being the same as the Sonics move to okc." Albert, I realize you are from New Orleans, and so there's a lot of denial there, but let's look at facts. George Shinn was persona non grata in Charlotte. He wanted a new arena. The city wouldn't build him one. He took in a partner who decided he wanted to move the team to New Orleans. There was a sea of bitterness in Charlotte by the time the team moved. If you want to read a little summary, I'd suggest www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/stories/2002/12/30/story3.html ---- There are actually a lot of similarities, except for the fact that Shinn's lease expired, and the people in Charlotte actually got to vote. New Orleans sucked up to Shinn and Woolridge no less than OKC to Bennett, and the city had worked hard to take the Timberwolves out of Minneapolis before that. It didn't work, because the BOG refused to approve the sale of the team to owners who wanted to move the team to NO. Trust me, Las Vegan, Kansas City and Louisville would have done the same as well, if Bennett had flirted back a little harder, or been allowed to. Although this was not a good situation with the move from Seattle, Oklahoma City is not some sinister villain completely different from any other city. There but for the grace of Clay Bennett go a host of others.....
Jill, www.okcthunderfans.com - Jul 14, 2008 at 7:26 am
I do agree that you need to have good non-game entertainment, especially since the OKC-NBA will probably suck for a couple of years - until Durant, Green, and Westbrook (and others) get into sync and get used to OKC. The focus needs to be on the fans, creating an experience that regardless of the win-loss record; people will enjoy coming to the games and will part with their hard-earned discretionary income and partake in them. this is ESPECIALLY true on non-headliner nights; OKC needs to shoot for the top in attendance and to do this you need quality and quantity in entertainment! If OKC can do this, then it will have proven itself as an NBA market. Oh, and this talk about Tulsa is just bs. Tulsa is part of OKC's market - so it doesn't matter what the team is called. If Tulsa had contributed to the team or Ford Center, then perhaps there should be a consideration. But since they didn't and since the State only nocked off part of the NEW payroll taxes for the NEW NBA jobs, nobody but OKC people has footed the bill for this - so I don't see any harm at all in calling the team OKC ___. Besides, there is only ONE Oklahoma team, and that's the NCAA Oklahoma Sooners! Leave it at that.
Jesse-well said..it is NOT the fans fault...The NBA orchestrated this...First Stern loved the Key..then he wanted it upgraded 10 years later...then he and Bennett said an upgraded Key would NOT be acceptable...now that the Sonics are dead and gone-a re done Key IS fine and dandy!!!!I'm happy for the FANS in Oklahoma that they have a team...but Stern and Bennett along with certain WA officials really acted like slime....Seattle SuperSonics-B.1966-D.2008:R.I.P.
i am sure bennett will make sure the Oklahoma people will have a great time at the games. as with the OKLAHOMA people we have endured good and hard times and we always have come out on top. no other state can boast that and we have always had teams,whether pro,college or city teams that become champions and been the best at what we do and what we are. OKLAHOMA will show everyone, NBA, all states that we are the best. OKLAHOMA people are no 1 !!!
I just got done looking in the mirror Jay, and I didn't see anything there that had anything to do with the Sonics moving, just a Sonics fan for the last 30 years. So now your saying it was the fans fault??? Hmmm, I don't remember having the opportunity to vote. I do remember when Bennett bought the team when he stated that a KeyArena renovation was acceptable to keep the team here in Seattle. I also remember when he then went back on these words, and stated that only a new stadium outside of Seattle was the only option. He did this because he knew that a renovation plan was what the city, and the fans wanted, and that it would be part of a larger renovation of the Seattle Center, and would be viewed as a city improvement, which would of gotten around I-91. Then was late in sending his incomplete proposal (no finacial plan, or site) to the state, knowing that it wouldn't get to the voting stage because of this. I then remember him allowing OKC to renovate their arena, which is also not up to NBA standards (as he testified to under oath), and which won't be until 2010 when the renovations are completed, basically putting the team in the same situation that they were in, in Seattle. I then remember the NBA stating after the lease case was settled that a keyarena renovation would need to be approved for a NEW team to come to Seattle. I wonder why this wouldn't work for our original team, oh, that's right, because Stern wanted to help his friend get a team in his home town, and they both new that Seattle would approve a keyarena renovation to keep the Sonics here. So give me a break jay, you know this stinks, and so does everyone else, Seattle never even had a chance to keep the Sonics here. Don't worry, I blame Schultz just as much as everyone else, as he's the one that started all of this, but Bennett and Stern hold just as much blame as him, if not more. I don't blame our politicians, as NOBODY here wanted an arena in Renton, they were just trying to get what the PEOPLE here wanted, which is what politicians are elected to do. I wish all of OKC good luck with their new team. Seattle will have the Sonics back, and we'll meet you down the road.
Oh jill, still trying to compare the Charlotte move to New Orleans as being the same as the Sonics move to okc. Do what ever you need to make it better for your mind, but it is NOT the same situation and you know it! You and the others on here keep thinking that this move was like other pro relocation situations and the rest of the media will keep the facts out there for the rest to read!
My wife and I ran out to Memphis with our son this past season to see the Hornets play the Grizzlies. Memphis does a very poor job of putting on a presentation. Everything felt cheap and half done. The people were extremely friendly however and the facility is wonderful. OKC needs to be sure to bring it all together.
The idea of sending games to Tulsa is insane. No other team in any sport does anything like this. Building home court advantage is so important. This would be no different than expecting the Hornets to play some of their games in Baton Rouge or the Lakers to run down to San Diego.
"The preseason games they are giving to Tulsa are an insult." I don't think that's the case. Usually preseason games are either at home or they're spread around multiple places. It sounds like Tulsa will get multiple preseason games. I'm not sure the NBA will allow them to put regular season games in Tulsa. I'd be fine with the team being the Oklahoma whatevers, but it's not my decision. But people from Tulsa need to leave the chip off their shoulders and enjoy the fact that this state has an NBA team when a couple of years ago most of us thought there was no chance. Tulsa has the NBDL team, which is cool, because players will move back and forth between the two teams, and we should look at this as a partnership. If Tulsa got the NBA team, I'd be almost as excited as I am having them here, and I'd be planning on going to games. No matter what the name, the games will be televised all over the state and it is Oklahoma's team.
Jill, www.okcthunderfans.com - Jul 13, 2008 at 11:58 am
If Oklahoma City wants to keep their team for more than five years they better include Tulsa. It will be the only way to make this franchise a permanent success. The team should be called the Oklahoma (insert favorite nickname), and Tulsa should get a few (5-10) regular season games at their pretty new BOK center. The preseason games they are giving to Tulsa are an insult. OKC will not admit it now but they need Tulsa to make this work and it seems like they are trying to alienate them from the start.
Let's start by picking a good team name. I've heard some pretty bad ones floating around out there. We need a good mascot because I thought Hugo was one of the best ones in the NBA.
And Alber says, "Okc had better cool it with the "everything in business has a price" attitude because they so badly want others to think we are a "big league city" because THERE IS GOING TO BE A BIG PRICE to pay to overcome the growing negative image we in oklahoma are getting in the pro sports world. It's not good at all!" We're no different from the Hornets, Albert. Charlotte had been a fabulous NBA city, and Shinn moved them because he didn't get a new arena, and no one in town liked him. New Orleans tried really hard to get the Timberwolves before that. If you look in the media archives, I bet you'll find all sorts of negative things being said about New Orleans. Indianapolis and Baltimore have weathered their relocation storms. If we are great fans and support our team well, the very short-memoried media will forget this in time. It's not great, but it's an event the city's reputation can recover from.
Jill, www.okcthunderfans.com - Jul 13, 2008 at 9:25 am
Jason in Renton...I'm sure all of us in OKC appreciate your depiction of the national media as "lying, thieving, scumbags" for any misrepresentations they've made about us. But we can handle it ourselves. I'm a little concerned about the depictions I've seen among some of those national media however, of Seattle as a city filled with spoiled brats. That seems rather unfair, especially in light of polls showing that the vast majority of citizens up there weren't really concerned about losing the Sonics. Ditto for the result of I-91. And the non-action of the state legislature. And the city government. It's clear most of you were okay with them leaving. So the image the country is getting of sophisticated, high-class Seattle as behaving like a kicking, screaming, three-year-old, is truly unfortunate. So while we appreciate your defending our fair city, you may wish to turn your attention to your fair city instead. We're used to standing on our own feet around here, and dealing with true adversity. This, by comparison, is small stuff. We won't sweat it. Thanks again.
Hey Jason in Renton ............... grow up !! Its a business. People get hired away in the business world all the time. You act like a little child. You must've lived a protected life. No cry on your mothers skirt and forget OKC. Hey I guess Michigan stole Rich Rodriguez form WVA, I guess Florida stole Urban Meyer from Utah. Face it little boy , it was a competition and YOU LOST .
You know jason in renton you hit the nail square on the head! I read several papers around the country on the net and have seen some pretty negative statements about whats gone down in this move. Okc had better cool it with the "everything in business has a price" attitude because they so badly want others to think we are a "big league city" because THERE IS GOING TO BE A BIG PRICE to pay to overcome the growing negative image we in oklahoma are getting in the pro sports world. It's not good at all!
You can term it stealing if you want. You need to get over the loss and move on. Everything in business has a price, just ask your "we'll never settle" mayor.
great idea!! let's steal The Hornets entertainment director too!!! You guys are really giving your city a bad reputation across the entire country, i know Bennett's family owns this rag so you will never hear a negitive word about the theft of the Sonics, but i would really encourage you to step away from the propoganda for a few and read what the national media is saying about all this, lying, thieving, scumbags
Ford Center update 07/13/2008 Ford Center update Fans probably won't notice a big difference during the upcoming NBA season. But plans for renovations are mapped out and will begin as...
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