Yesterday in Oklahoma City was simply amazing. When one considers where this city was in the spring of 1995 just after the Murrah Building Bombing tragedy… to observe what we just witnessed yesterday has to be one of the greateast stories in the history of a U.S. city pulling itself up and completely changing the narrative of its own history.
I seriously wonder if Boom Town author Sam Anderson has either done a special podcast or a special piece entitled ‘Boom Town Revisted’ on what we have just witnessed from both the NBA Finals and yesterday’s championship parade.
It was a dual miracle of sorts. In my life as an avid, passionate sports fan…I can only think of one sports miracle which outdid what sleepy little Oke City just pulled off…that being when the 1980 U.S. ice hockey team stunned the Russians at Lake Placcid. I’m not saying OKC beating Indiana was a miracle…what I’m writing is Oklahoma just winning an NBA title goes from highly improbable to almost miracle status in my view.
Whether the Thunder become a dynasty, a mini-dynasty, or a one and down will never matter. Because what this city has pulled off through MAPS and the Clay Bennett/ Sam Presti dual vision will forever change the narrative of Oklahoma City from the outside looking in.
Oklahoma City may not have an NFL, NHL, or MLB team. But from this point forward Oklahoma City becomes a major league city with what should be the most visible NBA team for the next five years or so…maybe longer depending on injuries and some more good luck.
The manner in which the city represented itself yesterday was perfect. There were no cars turned over burning. There was no disrespect shown towards local law enforcement. I didn’t witness humans either physically or verbally assaulting each other. There were no knuckleheads behaving like a group of idiots.
What I witnessed instead…was about about a half a million people showing their love and admiration for this basketball team….and their city. It was refreshing to see this in a contemporary American city. I observed no political nonsense. No hate. Just love for Shai, his guys, and this miracle turnaround city.
It was beautiful.
Simply beautiful.
Job well done MAPS, Oklahoma City, and the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Maybe Mayor Holt should at some point consider a run for higher office in Oklahoma. God knows…one would think the Oklahoma Dimwit Twins Markwayne Mullin and Ryan Walters should be replaced.
What an amazing turnaround.
Mike J