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**Basel** · 06-03-2009, 10:19 AM

Quote:

When the organization moved from Seattle to Oklahoma City one of the first reactions was the team would suffer since many NBA players wouldn’t like playing in a small market.

A lot of media assumed Oklahoma City would have a difficult time signing free agents and retaining players who presumably would want to play in cities like New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, etc.

Spotting D.J. White at the Women’s College World Series last weekend was another indication Oklahoma City isn’t the “small market” black hole some paint it.

In exit interviews, before players left town, most said they were either from smaller communities themselves, or actually felt a small market was good for them to concentrate on playing NBA basketball.

Restaurants not staying open late, and the windy, winter weather, were the only real complaints.

http://blog.newsok.com/nbainokc/2009...a-citys-image/

Smithian · 06-03-2009, 04:25 PM

Oklahoma City is one of the more boring places I have ever been too, but the idea a player could be disadvantaged playing there is ridiculous. I don't care where you play, if you're good, they will find you and your name will be put out there in the media.

If you win, you'll get the attention. If you lose(Knicks), you won't get the attention whereever you are(NYC).

bballhorn · 06-04-2009, 01:29 AM

Here's a great article on the Thunder, their image/organizational culture, and potential future.

http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?STORY_ID=12756

Also, the internet and the expansion of the media means its not as big a deal to play in a huge market, as Smithian says, you get attention when you win. Every team has their own tv contracts for regional coverage, players market themselves much more than they used to. Market size doesn't matter as much anymore, everything is dependent on winning.

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