OKC Thunder Sunday Social: Active week in social media

Beloved TNT host Ernie Johnson reveals health battle

Inside the NBA is widely regarded as one of the best post-shows in all of sports the program routinely wins the EMMY award in its category. Although some view Johnson as nothing more than a moderator, he is an integral part to the show.

Hence, when Johnson announced he was suffering from blood clots in both legs forcing him to miss out on calling MLB playoff games it sent shock waves and panic through the sports world.

Few questioned whether Johnson would be ready to resume his role on Inside while maintaining his health. Luckily, Johnson hosted Inside the night this video was released so he should be good to go for all his usual Inside the NBA studio shows.

LeBron makes his Lakers Debut

This post needs no caption. As soon as LeBron confirmed he was bringing his talents to Los Angeles to join the Lakers his debut in a Laker uniform has been much-anticipated. On Sunday, September 30th, James finally donned the historic purple and gold. LBJ also brought some rattlesnake jam, which delighted the sold-out crowd.

KD returns to Seattle

https://twitter.com/World_Wide_Wob/status/1048403461128278016

At times the city of Seattle can be a touchy subject in Oklahoma City, but it shouldn’t be. If, the situation was reversed OKC Thunder fans would feel the same way about Seattle. In reality, the Seattle vs. Oklahoma City feud is childish since OKC did not literally steal the Sonics. Millionaire Clay Bennett bought the team and decided to move it to another city.

The decision was partly made due to the fact the NBA did so well in Oklahoma City when the town housed the New Orleans Hornets (now Pelicans) for two years after Hurricane Katrina. The less discussed reason the Sonic’s switched cities is the people of Seattle did not want to pay for a new arena. Furthermore, the city of Seattle did not learn anything from their experience with the Sonics, fast forward to 2018 and the city is fighting a battle to keep their baseball team in a similar situation.

The crowd was solid although open seats could be seen on television, for a preseason game it was a fantastic turnout. KD threw down an emphatic slam, and for one night Seattle had the NBA back in its backyard, it was breathtaking.

Derrick Jones Jr. takes a scary fall

Jones injured his left shoulder on the play, but the x-rays were negative. Jones was also ruled out of the Heats game on Friday night against the Wizards. Given the nature of the fall, it is miraculous Jones walked away with nothing more than a shoulder contusion.

Blake Griffin returns to his Alma Mater

Oklahoma native and former University of Oklahoma (OU) basketball star Blake Griffin was in town, as his Pistons took on the Thunder in an exhibition game. Although Griffin missed the match, that did not prevent him from taking his teammates to work out at the OU basketball facility named in honor of himself and his family.

PG stands by his girl Daniela Rajic

Late Wednesday afternoon word came down that Paul George would not be in attendance for the OKC Thunder’s first preseason game. The reason for his absence was not health-related, rather the dreaded ‘personal reasons’.

When an athlete is listed as out due to personal reasons, often it is one of two scenarios, legal trouble or a death occurred in their family. Unfortunately for George, it was the latter.

PG’s long-time girlfriend and mother of his two girls Daniela Rajic‘s father passed away. Rather than play in a meaningless preseason game George chose to be by her side, no matter what he does on the court this season that makes him an MVP in my book.