The end of an era: It’s time for a logo change
By Tony Heim
The Oklahoma City Thunder have had a notoriously bad logo for eight years. If there was ever a time to make a change, that time is now.
What do the Golden State Warriors, Milwaukee Bucks and Boston Celtics all have in common? The answer: incredible logos.
Logos have made a direct impact on NBA success over the years, and that remains true to this day. Okay that was a BIT of an overstatement. But in today’s NBA? It’s made all the difference.
The Warriors changed their logo in the summer of 2010 and five years later a futile franchise are NBA champs. Milwaukee matched their “Own the Future” branding with a futuristic logo of their own. And the Celtics? They’ve had the same primary logo SINCE THE 1950S!!!! Makes sense for one of the most consistent franchise in league history…
Now the Thunder? Love the team, but I have nothing nice to say about their logo. Twitter seems to agree with me.
What's more ugly: Thunder's logo or Thunder's play right now?
— Ryan Parker (@davidryanparker) May 31, 2016
It's not even worth making a Crying Jordan version of the Thunder logo, because it already is THAT sad and ugly
— bird hating account (@atf13atf) February 28, 2016
Since the move to Oklahoma City and subsequent logo change, the NBA-sphere has called for a switch. You would think after eight years of mockery, the organization would get the point. Sadly they haven’t, so we’ve been stuck cheering for a team with the worst logo in the NBA. If there was ever a time to change that, it’s this offseason.
OKC was blessed with the young core of Kevin Durant, James Harden, Serge Ibaka and Russell Westbrook in the early stages. They created an era of Thunder basketball that will be tough to replicate. Only one of those guys remain, and there is a chance he will be gone before the season starts.
Now there’s a new young core forming in the City: Steven Adams, Enes Kanter and Victor Oladipo. All three have all-star potential with the added benefit of being 24 or younger. Instead of making those guys (and us fans) remember the past, the franchise should move on to this new era.
Sam Presti has always emphasized bringing in young talent and it’s time for the logo to reflect that ideal. Considering it is a silent phenomena, the name “Thunder” doesn’t bring much ideas imagery wise. That’s where my man Rumble the Bison steps in. Everybody loves Rumble, so let’s make him an essential part of the franchise by putting him in the new logo.
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- Damian Lillard does not fit with the OKC Thunder
My part is done here. I am no artist, but I’m sure you all have some ideas.
It should be innovative. It should be fun. Most importantly, it should be different.
If you have time, make a sketch of a logo idea. Tweet them, tag the Thunder’s official Twitter account and the TI account as well. Don’t have Twitter? Send them to our Facebook page. We will share our favorites. As fans, we have an opportunity to make a real difference. We still love this franchise; let’s show the world we have moved on from the era of He Who Shall Not Be Named.
Next: The end of an era: Thunder faces in new places
Together we can help get rid of that horrendous logo and bring in a new era of OKC basketball.