The arena thats still called the Ford Center is empty and lifeless. And theres not anything anywhere thats blue or has the word Thunder on it.
Bricktowns bars have gathered a few patrons, but most of the downtown action is at the movie theater and Bass Pro Shop, where people are getting in some last-minute Christmas shopping. That big new Devon skyscraper? Its still a big empty plot.
Some good news, however: Theres no ridiculous amount of road construction. But it doesnt matter, because not enough people are downtown to make a big problem.
Theres not much to do on this night other than maybe do that outdoor ice skating thing that got old a few years ago. Or maybe theres a minor-league hockey game.
Bricktowns not Bedford Falls. Its Pottersville, and it sucks.
This is what Oklahoma City would be without the Thunder. This would be your town on Friday night.
I started picturing Bricktown as George Baileys life during a recent Friday night as my wife and I arrived early for a Thunder game. We were walking around, doing what married couples often do (Where do you want to eat? I dont care, you pick. Seriously, I dont care either.) when I thought about what the area might look like if the Thunder werent here.
It was clear that a large portion of the people who crowded bars, caused 45-minute waits at restaurants, filled sidewalks and made traffic excruciatingly frustrating were there for the Thunders big Friday-night game.
All of the ridiculous construction around Reno is because of the team. The new skyscraper can be linked to one of the Thunders corporate partners expanding its brand and company.
The arena isnt called the Ford Center anymore, because the team is so visible now that the organizations asking price for the naming rights were a little above what Ford was willing to pay.
Without this team, a Friday night in the big town might be a quite bit more bland. People would still go down to the canal and to see movies, but I know for sure we wouldnt have spent any money in Bricktown that night if the Thunder hadnt brought us there.
I thought about what downtown and Bricktown might look like if the Thunder werent here.
Plus, theres a raised level of civic pride because of the team. Theres blue everywhere,
with Lets Go Thunder! banners hanging from almost every shop window.
Theres a buzz circulating all over, and Im pretty sure that would be
missing.
The
Thunder have done a lot of things created a ton of goodwill, given us
an extra entertainment option, increased OKCs profile and a lot of
other things but one of the best things theyve done is make downtown
relevant for reasons outside of a cineplex, bars and Bass Pro.
Now
the best way to top this all off would be for all the Thunders friends
and family to gather for one glorious celebration as we sing Hark! The
Herald Angels Sing as the citys first championship banner is raised.
It would certainly be a different Oklahoma City without this basketball team.
With them, its a Thunderful life.
Young is the founder of the DailyThunder.com blog.