"People don't know what it was like here for the 12 months,” Carlesimo told The Oklahoman last week in a telephone interview from Seattle.
"It was not an ideal working situation, in my opinion, from the players' standpoint. Just the uncertainty that was hovering (in Seattle), the fact that we all came in new, what had gone on in previous years before we got here. There was so much swirling around. It was very uncomfortable.”
And yet Carlesimo, more than four months removed from the worst season in that franchise's history, refuses to look back and point to the turmoil as reason for the team's 20 wins.
"I don't think we lost games last year because of the situation that we found ourselves in,” he said.
And that's why, despite saying in a recent radio interview that Oklahoma City is "the best thing that's ever happened to our basketball franchise and basketball team,” Carlesimo isn't ready to count on the newfound stability for a spike in victories this season.
Certainty, Carlesimo says, will help. It won't guarantee Oklahoma City a better ballclub.
"Are we going to win X more games? Probably not,” Carlesimo said. "But I just think it's going to make a difference.”
Comfort will replace confusion for the players and coaches. Infatuation will replace the increasing indifference that swept the team's old city and its fans.
As a former assistant coach with San Antonio, Carlesimo witnessed first-hand how passionately Oklahoma City supported the temporarily displaced New Orleans Hornets. Before a then-Ford Center record 19,297 fans in mid-December 2005, the Hornets shocked the defending champions 89-76.
After receiving warm welcomes from well-wishers in every place he visited in his two trips to Oklahoma since the Sonics' relocation became official July 2, Carlesimo now believes the city's passion will exceed even its surprising support for the Hornets.
"This is different,” Carlesimo said. "This is our team.”
But history says Carlesimo is correct in his assumption that more wins aren't guaranteed.
Of the past three NBA relocations, the Sacramento Kings, Memphis Grizzlies and New Orleans Hornets all enjoyed increased attendance after their respective moves from Kansas City, Vancouver and Charlotte. But the Hornets (three wins) and Kings (six wins) saw only minimal improvement in their win total. The Grizzlies finished with the same record.
The Hornets drew nearly 200,000 more fans and 20 more wins than the previous season in 2005-06 when they played in Oklahoma City. But the win improvement stemmed more from a roster overhaul that included the addition of Chris Paul, the 2005-06 Rookie of the Year, and improved health than stability and fan support.
"NBA teams are not going to get intimidated,” Carlesimo said. "You don't lose in Boston or in San Antonio or in Detroit because of the (building) or because of their fans. You lose because of the guys in the white shirts.
"But over the course of a year, and particularly for a young team, (the support is) going to be a tremendous advantage for us. It's the way the players are going to look forward to coming to the Ford Center every night and playing.
"That sustained energy and the way we look at playing in that building and the way that will become a real significant home for us, yeah, eventually it will translate into wins. But not necessarily night to night.”
Thank you for joining our conversations on newsok. We encourage your discussions but ask that you stay within the bounds of our terms and conditions. Please help us by reporting comments that violate these guidelines. To review our rules of engagement, go to Commenting and posting policy.
Clay hired PJ because of his connection with the successful Spurs. Unfortunately, PJ is a terrible head coach as he has proven twice before. Soon he will be a three-time loser.
Bruce, Edmond: "There is also a reason that the Blazers will remain the 'top dog' in the OKC sports market..." What is your definition of "top dog"? Attendance? Merchandise sales? I am not attacking the Blazers in any way (been to a few games, have jerseys, posters, pucks etc) but they are a minor league team. Blazers games are fun and they have been excellent community partners. That's why I posted below that if we got an NHL team as was originally Bennett's goal when the Ford was built, it probably would have meant the death of the Blazers. At least with an NBA team, both can exist and thrive.
I think it's great that there are Blazers fans and NBA fans. This is not a battle, it's not a competition. Enjoy hockey if it's your favorite sport, and those of us who love basketball will enjoy it.
Jill, www.okcthunderfans.com - Aug 26, 2008 at 5:43 pm
The Blazers could play the Dallas Cowboys and still win. Seriously. Speaking of the NFL it's time for OKC to shock the world again and steal another team from the West Coast. LETS GO OKC 49ERS!!!! Or should we call them the 89ers? Ah what the hell...LETS GO NINERS!!! MOVE TO OKC!!!
Bruce, I've read many of your comments and have quietly waited by, smiling and cheering. I couldn't agree more with you. The Blazers are The State's premier sports franchise, and anyone who says different is simply delusional. I feel confident that Coach Sauter could whip these NBA whatchyamacallits into winning form. After all, look at the Blazers, and look at what a Real Coach can do... he can stop a stampeding horse.
If any of you are interested in seeing what a real coach can do, go watch Doug Sauter coach a Blazers game. There is a reason that the Blazers hockey team has been the best CHL franchise for the last 15+ years, and it starts at the top. There is also a reason that the Blazers will remain the "top dog" in the OKC sports market, and that is because we have a tried and true franchise, not to mention the best athletes the state has to offer. Its sad that in a way, the NBA is failing already. Just look at the coaches poor attitude. If Doug Sauter was the coach the OKC whateveryoucallthem would probably win the NBA championship. Too bad for you NBA fad followers Doug Sauter would never leave his post as the coach of the best states sports team period. That would be considered a step down. Duh...
While I appreciate PJ's being humble and perhaps realistic, I find it ridiculous and unacceptable that the HEAD COACH should not be fired up about the upcoming season. PJ sounds resigned to accepting a poor season, rather than being upbeat about the future. Moving to a new city can be the shot in the arm for many teams (see Hornets move to OKC) and while it may take time - you also need a leader who will give the incentive to win. PJ better realize that is his job, or I say - fire his a## now!
As a coach, I'm sure he is happy for some "stability." He probably would have said the same if Bennett sold to Ballmer and the team stayed. He seems like a decent guy, questionable at best NBA head coach.
Paul, the only thing the makes this a space filler is that PJ didn't say anything BUT the company line. He would have been shown the termination pile if he said the opposite or made a "ho hum" comment on the move.
I guess you don't watch ESPN, Paul, or you'd be off posting on their website. Journalism, with it's mandatory daily newspaper and 24 hour a day sports is all about space fillers. Do you think this newspaper is unique? Some of us like reading the space fillers while we're waiting for our team to start playing.
Fourth of July Page
Share your July 4th photos with NewsOK and view other stories and videos.
Multimedia
More Info
"Are we going to win X more games? Probably not. But I just think it's going to make a difference.”
Oklahoma City coach P.J. Carlesimo on the newfound stability of his team after moving here
Related to this story
Articles
20-second timeout with P.J. Carlesimo 08/25/2008 20-second timeout with P.J. Carlesimo Q: What does P.J. stand for? A: P.J. is Peter John. My father was Peter, and my grandfather on my mother's side...
NBA franchises' attendance and win totals after... 08/25/2008 Before and after A quick look at NBA franchises' attendance and win totals after relocations: Memphis Grizzlies 2000-01 record in Vancouver: 23-59 2001-02...
What's in a NBA nickname?: Make a decision, make it... 08/25/2008 Any day now we'll have a name for our NBA franchise. Promise. I'm pretty sure. I hope so. The name, Thunder I presume, will be met with mixed reviews, as it...
16
Featured Gallery
Prev
Something to say about this topic? Submit a Letter to the Editor online
Thank you for joining our conversations on newsok. We encourage your discussions but ask that you stay within the bounds of our terms and conditions. Please help us by reporting comments that violate these guidelines. To review our rules of engagement, go to Commenting and posting policy.
Log in below or sign up (it's free).