Sale of Thunder merchandise is brisk
Sale of Thunder merchandise is brisk

By John Rohde

Published: September 9, 2008

When he was in Oklahoma this summer, Thunder coach P.J. Carlesimo noticed plenty of people wearing red and orange.

He's now noticing people in their Thunderwear.

This town's NBA franchise finally got its nickname last week, and Carlesimo already has given the nickname a nickname.

"Even as much as people around here care so strongly about Oklahoma and Oklahoma State,” Carlesimo said, "there's still room for ‘The blue.' ”

The Thunder's color scheme offers two shades of blue. Carlesimo was probably eight shades of red during last season's 20-62 record while playing in limbo in the great northwest, but there seems to be some genuine enthusiasm in his voice these days.

Last season, nothing seemed to be in its place. With preseason camp opening three weeks from today, the pieces are slowly fitting into place, on and off the court.

Thousands of fans have waited in line to purchase T-shirts, hats and other merchandise at the Thundershop.

The first 24 hours set a non-game day sales record for XP Events, the team's merchandising partner.

Though the Thundershop wasn't open during the weekend, the team's Web site experienced heavy traffic. The site has had roughly 500,000 visits so far.

Forty boxes of merchandise arrived Monday morning, with another shipment scheduled in the afternoon. There are new styles available since opening day.

XP Events president Alan Fey said interest in Thunder merchandise "has come from all over the country, which is really neat to see.”

Finding a nickname won't guarantee additional victories for the franchise, but it did add some stability.

People finally have stopped asking Carlesimo what he thought the nickname would be. Now they're asking him if he likes the choice.

Last season, members of the Seattle SuperSonics weren't sure if they should pack.

This season, they're packing and unpacking.

"Clearly now, the sense of permanence here is welcome,” Carlesimo said. "Some of it didn't dawn on me until last Wednesday. Seeing people around town, wearing our colors, wearing our shirt and hats, wearing the blue, it's a significant step for us to be doing something in Oklahoma City.

"Obviously, we were Oklahoma City's team even when we didn't know the nickname, but it's different now. To see and hear people talking about the Thunder, it's a nice step.”

Players are starting to trickle into town, including former OSU standout Desmond Mason, whose brain will be picked at length by Carlesimo and other team members with questions concerning Oklahoma.

Moving vans continue to arrive from Seattle, including the one hauling Carlesimo's possessions.

At last check, the coach was torn between buying one of two houses, and there figures to be a golf course nearby.

Oak Tree Golf Club, Gaillardia, Quail Creek and Oklahoma City Golf & Country Club figure to have some rather tall new members soon.

Carlesimo will be the one wearing "The blue.”

Your thoughts!