Published: November 26, 2008 01:30 pm      

Thunder gives thanks at Tinker

There was no calm before Monday’s storm. It was one for the record books, something few people of this area had experienced before. The word was given, and many military families gathered inside the Tinker Youth Center in anticipation of the arrival of a new kind of thunder, one of the professional basketball type.

The Oklahoma City Thunder paid a visit to the Air Force base Monday afternoon. The occasion, a Thanksgiving meal with the kids whose moms or dads are deployed, and in some cases, both parents are gone.

“It’s an honor for all of us. We are proud of what their moms and dads do for us,” said Thunder interim head coach Scott Brooks.

It’s the team’s first year in Oklahoma City, and Brooks, a former professional player himself, said he knows the importance of representing the city in which you play. It’s an important step to build a connection between the players and the fans. As far as the connection between the team and its new home, Brooks said everybody loves it here and it feels like the team has been playing in Oklahoma City for years.

So with the families sitting around tables featuring Thunder centerpieces, the team made its entrance while a highlight reel projected onto the wall. Fitting to the team’s name, as the players got closer and filed into the gym the sound of the applause echoed, bellowed and grew before finally boiling over to a full fledged ovation.

Before telling which players and coaches would be sitting at what table, Thunder announcer Brian Davis spoke on behalf of the team.

“If it’s not for you guys, we don’t get to do so many things we get to do being citizens of a free country,” Davis said about the military. “It’s a thrill to be in Oklahoma City and be your hometown team. How cool is that?”

After taking their seats and exchanging introductions with the fans seated with them, the different tables took turns going through the food line and having their pictures taken.

They would juke left, move back right and make their way up the middle before reaching the line. Though this wasn’t exactly like driving the lane at the Ford Center, the goal here was making it through with a meal.

If a highlight reel were to be made of the event, Desmond Mason would have surely been a top play nominee when he put up a successful last second block. The pivotal play came when one young boy mistakenly took a large mound of butter, believing it to be ice cream. Mason came through and laughingly let him know that it was butter. The NBA star then followed with an assist when he scooped a more reasonable amount and helped him put it on his bread.

Mason, an Oklahoma State University product was a fan favorite at the event. His personality went over well with the many eager fans waiting to talk to him and earn an autograph.

“It’s always fun to get out here and meet with the community,” Mason said. He made a particular note of the sacrifice made by the service men and women and how it’s unfortunate for the kids to have a parent away, but it’s a blessing for the country. “See kids at such a young age; get a new found respect, if you didn’t already have one [for what the military does].”

Mason was also the benefactor of another assist when recent draft pick Russell Westbrook was sent on a “rookie run” to get the former Cowboy a piece of pie.

As a guard, Westbrook is used to dishing out assists and being an integral part of what the team is doing. And as for the pre-Thanksgiving meal, the importance of the event was not lost on him either.

“It’s real good, get to communicate [with the fans] and get to know them a little bit,” Westbrook said.

Overall, the event ended up lasting for about an hour and a half. The time was spent eating, taking pictures, signing autographs and meeting with players and coaches.

The Thunder play their next home game Friday when the Minnesota Timber Wolves come to town. After such an interaction with the military community, many fans said they will be even more eager to go to the games and cheer for the players who they shared a meal with just a few days before.

“I’m definitely going to think of it more when I go buy tickets,” said Natalie, who also commented that all the players were friendly and very nice.

“I’m glad they did it. It’s for the kids and it’s a great time. The kids really like it,” said Rebecca, who was there with her son David.