Rohde: Oklahoma City Thunder lacked effort in season opener

 
By John Rohde | Published: October 29, 2008    Comment on this article Leave a comment

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> When the Thunder excelled, so did the fans. That’s usually the way it works.

Nowhere else in the NBA can the home team trail 50-35 at halftime and leave the court to applause.

Rarely is an 11-point loss at home accepted with a standing ovation.

Even Thunder fans leave early, but they stuck around until the 3-minute mark.

Asked at halftime what he thought of the show, former OU football coach Barry Switzer joked, “Didn't make enough first downs.”

Not enough assists, either.

The Thunder had 16 assists and 19 turnovers, not a good ratio.

Quality NBA teams have a solid point guard and at least one 3-point shooter, and the Thunder appears to have neither.

Trouble is, both are hard to come by.

They’re out there, but they're all taken.

The player with the biggest role is often the smallest guy on the court.

This state has three great Division I-A quarterbacks, but it has no NBA quarterback.

Perhaps that will change in time, but the timetable will change if the Thunder doesn't build off what happened on opening night.

John Rohde: 475-3099. John Rohde can be heard Monday-Friday from 9-11 a.m. on New JOX 930 (AM).

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