Oklahoma

Opinion: Oklahoma City Should Add Another Center Out of Necessity

Published

2 years ago

January 3, 2023

Opinion: Oklahoma City Should Add Another Center Out of Necessity

After Oklahoma Metropolis’s dwelling loss to Joel Embiid and the 76ers, the Thunder’s obvious weaknesses appear to be looming giant. An already skinny entrance courtroom, OKC is desperately lacking the roster’s makeshift facilities in Aleksej Pokusevski and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, however even past the accidents, the Thunder’s lack of a real heart is proving pricey.

Oklahoma Metropolis remains to be (clearly) a methods away from actual playoff rivalry, however even outdoors of advocating for wins, the Thunder want an enormous man on the roster. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s ascension to stardom has allowed the Thunder to hold round as one of many NBA’s middling groups. If a current slide continues, although, this season might shortly change to the identical tempo of the final two seasons.

The loss to Philadelphia makes it three losses in 4 video games. Including insult to harm, the losses got here throughout a stretch the place the Thunder had a critical likelihood to make up some floor. The loss to the 10-27 Charlotte Hornets, adopted by Saturday evening’s blowout, Oklahoma Metropolis now not has any momentum in any way. And not using a huge man, it’s easy. The Thunder get bullied.

In Charlotte, the Hornets entrance courtroom loved a stroll within the park. P.J. Washington netted 25 factors on 10-of-13 taking pictures, Miles Plumlee added 14 factors and 9 rebounds on 6-of-7 taking pictures and Jalen McDaniels chipped in 12 factors off the bench. Rookie heart Mark Williams, who appeared in his sixth ever NBA recreation towards the Thunder, scored career-highs throughout the board with 17 factors and 13 rebounds, recording an ideal 7-of-7 from the ground.

Whereas Philadelphia, with Joel Embiid, is a a lot totally different look than the Hornets, Oklahoma Metropolis nonetheless struggled to restrict the massive man’s affect on the sport. Embiid recorded a uncommon triple double of 16 factors, 13 rebounds and ten assists, showcasing his means to take action many alternative issues. Montrezl Harrell additionally netted 9 factors and 6 rebounds off the bench. The 76ers scored 69 first-half factors and led by 26, whereas the Thunder spent the rest of the competition making an attempt to make it look just a bit bit nearer.

If Pokusevski and Robinson Earl stay out for an prolonged time period, Oklahoma Metropolis ought to do no matter it takes so as to add an enormous man to the roster. The crew can solely study and develop a lot when hindered by such an enormous drawback from tip-off. Josh Giddey and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander want an enormous man to advance sure components of their particular person ability units, and rising as a core could be best.

In fact, Chet Holmgren was speculated to be that piece earlier than happening with a season-ending harm. However now that it’s occurred, and Oklahoma Metropolis’s entrance courtroom took two extra sizable blows, the Thunder should adapt and add one other physique on the roster. Not for successful functions, to not push for the play-in, however merely to play basketball. Oklahoma Metropolis’s lack of depth on the place is hurting greater than serving to.

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Oklahoma

These 10 sites are the strangest landmarks in Oklahoma, WorldAtlas says

Published

3 hours ago

January 27, 2025

Press Room

These 10 sites are the strangest landmarks in Oklahoma, WorldAtlas says

From a large blue whale in a landlocked state to a haunted mansion, Oklahoma is home to several odd landmarks that attract visitors from all over.

WorldAtlas recently named these weird sites the 10 strangest landmarks in Oklahoma.

Blue Whale of Catoosa

Location: 2600 N State Hwy 66, Catoosa

A local celebrity resides along Route 66 year-round in northeast Oklahoma, welcoming visitors into its aquatic belly.

The Blue Whale of Catoosa was built by zoologist Hugh S. David in 1972 so that his grandchildren could play in the nearby pond, according to Travel Oklahoma. David’s friend, Harold Thomas, assisted the zoologist in building the The 20-feet-tall and 80-feet-wide mammal over a span of two years.

While swimming is no longer available, visitors can still picnic and fish with the famous Blue Whale.

World’s largest peanut

Location: 300 W Evergreen St., Durant

A small city in southeast Oklahoma is home to the world’s largest peanut commemorated with a statue outside of Durant City Hall, according to Travel Oklahoma. The statue was dedicated in 1974.

“Dedicated to the Bryan County peanut growers and processors,” inscription reads.

Circus cemetery: Mount Olivet Cemetery

Location: Trice & S 8th St., Hugo

Hugo, another small city in southeast Oklahoma, has a cemetery for rodeo greats Freckles Brown, Lane Frost, Todd Watley and L. Hammock, according to Travel Oklahoma.

Mount Olivet Cemetery is also the final resting place for Ed Ansley, also known as Buster Brown, and William H. Darrough, the founder of Hugo.

Blanchard Cemetery

Location: 2318 North Council Ave., Blanchard

Another known cemetery in Oklahoma is the Blanchard Cemetery where visitors may see a dark figure in a trench coat waving at them, according to WorldAtlas.

If they keep walking, they may spot a little girl flitting between the gravestones, or hear a small child crying or see a blue light hovering over the graves in Section 2, the website says.

Overholser Mansion

Location: 405 NW 15th St, Oklahoma City

The Overholser Mansion, the former abode of Henry and Anna Ione Overholser, is a most famous haunt in Oklahoma City. The ghost-story-filled mansion has been a museum and public venue for decades.

Some claim the ghost of Anna Ione Overholser, once the queen of Oklahoma City society, still haunts the home. She wears a pearl-decked lacy white gown, her dark hair piled gracefully around her face.

Frog Rock

Location: Frog Rd., Terlton

A large amphibian sits in Terlton on Frog Road just outside of Mannford. The six-foot-tall rock formation is painted green and white to look like a frog, according to Travel Oklahoma.

To get to it, trek over a bridge and through backwoods, but don’t worry — it can’t hop away before you reach it.

Cimmy the Dinosaur

Location: 1300 N Cimarron, Boise City

Sitting outside of the Cimarron Heritage Center in Boise City is Cimmy the Dinosaur, a metal Apatosaurus, measuring 65 feet long, 35 feet high and weighs thousands of pounds, according to Travel Oklahoma.

The dinosaur was created as a real life representation of a dinosaur that was extracted from Cimarron County in the 1930s. It’s referred to as a “Cimarronasaurus,” according to the state’s travel website.

Center of the Universe

Location: 20 E Archer St., Tulsa

Located in downtown Tulsa, the Center of the Universe if an 8-feet concrete circle described as an “acoustic anomaly” by Travel Oklahoma.

Noises made inside the brick circle is loudly echoed, but only those inside the circle can hear it. Loud sounds heard inside the circle cannot be heard from outside the perimeter of the brick structure.

Lake Hefner Lighthouse

Location: Lake Hefner Pkwy., Oklahoma City

Lake Hefter Lighthouse, officially the Lighthouse at East Wharf, in Oklahoma City is one of the finest spots in Oklahoma City to watch the setting sun.

The 36-foot lighthouse, beige with burgundy trim and a locked green door, was built in 1999 as part of a development project led by Randy Hogan. The lighthouse is modeled after the Brant Point Light Station on the north side of Nantucket Island in Massachusetts.

Gravity Hill

Location: Pioneer (Pitt) Rd., Springer

Gravity Hill, or Magnetic Hill, is another anomaly in Oklahoma near Springer. On the hill, drivers will sense that instead of their car rolling downhill with the motor turned off, it’ll actually roll uphill, according to Travel Oklahoma.

The website instructs visitors to drive to Pioneer Road, stop the car at the bottom of the hill and put it in neutral, then feel a force “pull” you and the car up the hill.

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Oklahoma

WATCH: Oklahoma HC Jennie Baranczyk and F Sahara Williams Georgia Postgame Press Conference

Published

14 hours ago

January 27, 2025

Press Room

WATCH: Oklahoma HC Jennie Baranczyk and F Sahara Williams Georgia Postgame Press Conference

RYAN CHAPMAN

Ryan is managing editor at Sooners On SI and covers a number of sports in and around Norman and Oklahoma City.

Working both as a journalist and a sports talk radio host, Ryan has covered the Oklahoma Sooners, the Oklahoma City Thunder, the United States Men’s National Soccer Team, the Oklahoma City Energy and more.

Since 2019, Ryan has simultaneously pursued a career as both a writer and a sports talk radio host, working for the Flagship for Oklahoma sports, 107.7 The Franchise, as well as AllSooners.com.

Ryan serves as a contributor to The Franchise’s website, TheFranchiseOK.com, which was recognized as having the “Best Website” in 2022 by the Oklahoma Association of Broadcasters.

Ryan holds an associate’s degree in Journalism from Oklahoma City Community College in Oklahoma City, OK.

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Oklahoma

Portland Trail Blazers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder: Game preview, prediction, time, TV channel

Published

1 day ago

January 26, 2025

Press Room

Portland Trail Blazers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder: Game preview, prediction, time, TV channel

The Portland Trail Blazers return home from a 3-0 trip with a four-game winning streak to face their most daunting home stand of the season starting Sunday afternoon with the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The Blazers have lost twice to the Thunder, falling 137-114 at home on Nov. 1 and 109-99 on the road on Nov. 20.

The Blazers put forth an impressive defensive effort at the Thunder to trail by just one point entering the fourth quarter.

Portland has played impressively on defense lately, allowing 96 points per game during their last four victories. But it’s doubtful Portland’s defense will hold up against the Thunder.

Oklahoma City ranks sixth in offensive rating (116), first in defensive rating (103.7) and first in net rating (plus-12.3).

Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leads the NBA with 32 points per game.

Prediction: The Thunder will win. There’s no need for an explanation.

• • •

PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS VS. OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER

What: Trail Blazers (17-28) vs. Thunder (36-8), 3 p.m., Sunday.

Where: Moda Center.

Radio: Rip City Radio (KPOJ 620 AM).

TV channel: KATU (Antenna: 2.2 in Portland. Xfinity: 302 and 1170. DirecTV: 688-1. KUNP (Antenna: 47.1. Xfinity: 16, 302, 1170. DirecTV: 47. Spectrum: 184).

How to Watch: Rip City TV Network. If you don’t have cable, you can still watch this game live for FREE with the help of an HDTV antenna on your local ABC affiliate (Charge 2.2 in Portland). These antennas are very easy to install and cost around $20. You can purchase one at your local Bi-Mart or Fred Meyer, or buy one online at Walmart or from Amazon and have it shipped quickly to your home. Here are some instructions on how to set up an HDTV antenna on your television or other display. You can find out more about which channel Rip City TV Network is on in your area by using the channel finder here.

• • •

ODDS (Oregon Lottery/DraftKings)

Moneyline: POR +470 | OKC -650

Spread: POR +11.5 | Over/Under: 225.5

INJURIES

Blazers: Deandre Ayton (right knee soreness) and Matisse Thybulle (right ankle sprain) are out for Friday.

Thunder: Cason Wallace (nasal fracture) is available. Luguentz Dort (right knee soreness), Chet Holmgren (right iliac fracture), Nikola Topic (left knee surgery) and Ajay Mitchell (right toe surgery) are

NEXT UP

The Blazers host Damian Lillard and the Milwaukee Bucks at 7 p.m. Tuesday.

— Aaron Fentress | afentress@Oregonian.com | @AaronJFentress (Twitter), @AaronJFentress (Instagram), @AaronFentress (Facebook)

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