State of the World

Pretty soon, some pretty major changes will be happening to The Thunderworld and I thought I’d clue everyone in before they actually happen. I’m not going to say exactly what, but I’m pretty excited about it and look forward to where this little hobby can go from here. I started this blog five months ago mainly because I didn’t like the name “Thunder” and I wanted to tell someone. But the right people have read what I wrote, liked it and have extended a wonderful opportunity for that will give the blog lots of exposure and visibility.

The Thunderworld will almost certainly be moving to a dot com and will also likely be changing its name (you see, someone already scooped up www.thethunderworld.com and www.thunderworld.com and plus, I’ve never really liked this blog’s name, but just picked something because I couldn’t make up my mind). I’ll be joining something a little bigger and better and I’m extremely pumped about the opportunity a few of wonderfully talented and brilliant basketball minds are giving me.

Also changing will be the institution of a comment policy. I know that will deeply sadden some of you, but I think we can all agree this has gotten completely out of hand. Quite frankly, some of the comments are embarrassing. I know that behind the shield of anonymity and the Internet we can all say what we want and not be held accountable, but it has crossed the line and crossed it long ago. I don’t know if some think they are being funny or if they’re hurting my feelings or both, but enough is enough. This blog isn’t about you and giving you a platform to embarrass and shame your fanbase and awesome city. I’m sorry that this whole thing happened the way it did. I’ve said it multiple times that I hate the way OKC got a team. But I don’t know what you expect me to do – ignore it? Teams move and always have. It sucks for one city and is great for another. You think people in Brooklyn didn’t hurt when the Dodgers packed up and left? The people in Baltimore still grieve over losing the Colts. I thought there were going to be riots in Cleveland when the Browns bolted for Baltimore. But the people moved on and time healed the wounds. Instead of throwing salt on it, let’s do our best to move on. Lord knows I’ve tried.

I just figured with the “new beginning” it would be a fine time to address it in one swoop. I actually want to talk about it more later (because I don’t think Seattle people have gotten a proper reaction from Oklahoma), and I know former Sonics’ fans have reason to be upset, but this isn’t the place to express that. If you think I stink and don’t know anything, don’t read it. I don’t have a problem with that. It’s not that the comments have “gotten to me” or driven me to tears each night, but it’s just beyond ridiculous. I honestly can’t believe what some of you will write. And if you’re wondering, the reason I pretty much ignore it is because it really doesn’t bother me. Why do I care if some person that I’ve never met or ever spoken to hates me for completely unfounded reasons because a group of owners took a BASKETBALL TEAM and moved them to my city? For all I know you’re some acne ridden 15-year-old that feels tough by writing tasteless jokes about my mother on the Internet. And if you’re not and are actually some 30-year-old with a wife and two kids, that’s way, way sadder. You don’t bother me, you don’t hurt my feelings. You just make your anonymous self, your city and your fanbase look really, really tired and moronic.

I understand you’re upset and I don’t blame you. You will get a new team back one day but trolling this blog won’t bring one. And it’s not going to make the Thunder run off either. Find a new hobby. I don’t care if my comments go from 30 to one. It’s not about you anyway – it’s about Oklahoma City basketball. And if just one person wants to talk it, that’s fine. I really don’t know how you can feel good about yourself saying some of the most extreme, crude, vulgar, insensitive things and think you’re doing your former fanbase good. I feel awful thinking that some 10-year-old kid has come here to read about his favorite basketball team and has had to read some of that junk. It makes me really regret not taking care of it earlier. But I thought maybe I’d give an “airing of grievances” period and it would stop. But you guys are persistent – maybe if you’d have supported your basketball team the way you troll this blog they’d still be there. Low blow? Probably. But it felt good, especially after some of the total crap you wrote about my wonderful mother.

Another thing that’s cool is that a new voice will likely be joining the fold. One tremendously insightful and talented writer is joining forces with me and I’m definitely on the look out for more. The whole blog is for fans – the fan voice is important. In the future, it’s going to be highly encouraged for anyone and everyone to write and be heard from. If you spent two hours at work looking up stats and have a new take on Kevin Durant’s eFG%, write up 300 words and share it. I don’t have to be the only guy writing stuff about the Thunder. If you have something to say, by all means, say it. It doesn’t have to be all sugar and roses and I definitely don’t have to agree with it. Everyone has a voice and this should be a place to get it out there. (And the best part is, with where the blog is going, what you write could get TONS of exposure and a lot of people could see it.)

So in the near future, look out for the changes and if you’re a dedicated following of The Thunderworld, make sure to be ready to switch over to where I go. And if you have any good names for a Thunder blog, I’m all ears. I’ve already rejected “Thunder Mifflin,” “Thunder Down Under,” “Thunder Siege,” and “Six Feet Thunder,” so don’t bother with those.

If you have questions, concerns, suggestions or comments about the upcoming changes, or just want to tell me I suck, feel free to email me.