Thunderous Intentions
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The foundation Chris Paul built: reflecting on CP3’s time in OKC

By Jordan Buckamneer

CLEVELAND - NOVEMBER 2: (L-R) Speedy Claxton #5 and Chris Paul #3 of the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets stand on court against the Cleveland Cavaliers November 2, 2005 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavs won 109-87. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2005 NBAE (Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images)
CLEVELAND - NOVEMBER 2: (L-R) Speedy Claxton #5 and Chris Paul #3 of the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets stand on court against the Cleveland Cavaliers November 2, 2005 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavs won 109-87. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2005 NBAE (Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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A look back at the two years Chris Paul spent in Oklahoma City and how his Hornets paved the way for a franchise to come to OKC permanently.

With the Houston Rockets and Golden State Warriors squaring off in the Western Conference Finals, OKC Thunder fans can only speculate on what could have been. Regardless of how you feel about James Harden and Kevin Durant, Thunder fans all appreciate Chris Paul.

After the devastation of hurricane Katrina in 2005, the New Orleans Hornets packed up and moved to Oklahoma City. It was then that a budding star in Chris Paul quickly became a fan favorite in the Midwest. NBA basketball has been a mainstay in Oklahoma City ever since.

And, the feeling is mutual. On a trip back in 2014 (then with the Clippers)  Paul spoke of his fond memories of OKC to Jenni Carlson of NewsOK reminiscing about his residence.

"“You could walk in the front door and fall out the back,” he said. “It used to smell like dog food all the time because when the wind blew, the dog food plant was right there.  “But I loved it.”"

As a team, the Hornets didn’t see much success in either of the two seasons they were there. They finished 10th in the West both seasons, going 38-44 in 2005-06 and 39-43 in 2006-07. However, the love shown towards the team for a relatively small city didn’t go unnoticed by the league.

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At 20 years old in 2005, Paul was proving to be a potential superstar. He averaged 16.1 points, 7.8 assists and 2.2 steals en route to winning rookie of the year. The following season, he improved to 17.3 points per game and 8.9 assists.

The timing of NBA popularity in OKC proved to be perfect, as financial disputes in Seattle Washington were intensifying. SuperSonics owner Howard Schultz asked for the state of Washington’s assistance to provide funding for updates to KeyBank Arena, but was turned down.

He then sold the team to Oklahoma City native Clay Bennett. After another unsuccessful attempt to raise funds from the state government, Bennett moved the team back to his hometown.

Although Bennett would have naturally wanted to move the team to Oklahoma City, he still needed a majority vote from the rest of the owners in the league to do so. Had it not been for the fans who supported the Hornets, that vote may not have passed.

Despite the hard feelings Oklahoma City fans may have towards Durant and Harden, we should all have a place in hearts for CP3.

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