Thunderous Intentions
Fansided

OKC Thunder: Making the case for Nick Collison to be in Basketball Hall of Fame

By Rylan Stiles

NEW YORK - JUNE 26: Nick Collison talks to the media after being selected by the Seattle Sonics during the 2003 NBA Draft at Paramount Theater at Madison Square Garden on June 26, 2003 in New York, New York. 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 2003 NBAE (Photo by M. David Leeds/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK - JUNE 26: Nick Collison talks to the media after being selected by the Seattle Sonics during the 2003 NBA Draft at Paramount Theater at Madison Square Garden on June 26, 2003 in New York, New York. 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 2003 NBAE (Photo by M. David Leeds/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 5
Next
OKC Thunder
NEW YORK – JUNE 26: Nick Collison talks to the media after being selected by the Seattle Sonics during the 2003 NBA Draft at Paramount Theater at Madison Square Garden on June 26, 2003 in New York, New York.  Copyright 2003 NBAE (Photo by M. David Leeds/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Draft Night 2003:

With the 12th pick in the 2003 NBA Draft, the Seattle SuperSonics used their selection on Nick Collison. He called Seattle home from the 2004-05 campaign up until the team relocated to Oklahoma City.

Collison speaks fondly of the city, and fans in Seattle even after the teams departure. Like the fans in Iowa Falls, Iowa, and Lawrence, Kansas the fans in Seattle also loved their newly found big man.

Notably, Collison’s true rookie season began in 2004 due a shoulder injury which caused him to red shirt his drafted season. When Collison returned healthy in 2004-05 to begin his rookie journey, Nick played in all 82-games. He averaged 5-points per contest, to pair with his 5-rebound average.

That 2004-05 Sonics team won 52-games and won the Northwest division under head coach Nate McMillan. Lead by Ray Allen that Sonics team had a ton of unsung heroes that included a pair of players with now OKC Thunder ties.

Of course Mr. Thunder, Nick Collison made an impact. But so did Antonio Daniels who now hosts the Thunder pre=and-post game shows on Fox Sports Oklahoma. That team made it to the second round before being bounced by the San Antonio Spurs.

Sadly for Sonics fans, the most amount of success Collison saw in Seattle came in their last season. In the 2007-08 campaign, Nick posted 9.8-points per game. His rebound numbers sky-rocketed to 9.4-per game.

Despite that team being headlined by Nick Collison, Jeff Green, and Kevin Durant, the Sonics won just 20-games under P.J. Carlesimo which led to the Sonics drafting Russell Westbrook before they bolted for Oklahoma City.

Home/Thunder News