The OKC Thunder are getting set to tip off the 2021-22 NBA season. With that, comes another edition of Oklahoma City Thunder Media Day.
Like each team in the NBA, the Thunder will have a full day of meeting with the media, taking new photos, filming game intros, mini in-stadium games, recording the introductions you hear on the radio broadcast, and so much more.
It is the annual kick-off to the season as training camp typically begins the very next day. This year features a ton of fun young players who spent their summers at fashion weeks, going to the Olympics, winning awards, and more! There is no shortage of storylines. Historically, this event has generated a ton of headlines!
Most memorable moments in OKC Thunder Media Day history
Perhaps the most memorable moment in NBA Media Day history is Kawhi Leonard‘s awkward laugh. A close second happened in Oklahoma City.
Days after Sam Presti shocked the NBA world by adding future Hall of Famer Carmelo Anthony to an Oklahoma City Thunder roster that already featured Russell Westbrook and added Paul George months prior. Thus, the OK3 era was born.
At media day, wearing his signature hoodie, Melo was asked about coming off of the bench as the team recently signed power forward Patrick Patterson, who some thought complimented the team’s stars more, or moving Melo down to the four in the starting group.
In the midst of being asked a question about a bench role, Anthony interrupts with the famous “who me?” line. Shutting down those rumors as he would be in Billy Donovan‘s starting group. As the media laughter pipes down, Melo looks over and says “aye P, they say I gotta come off the bench.” inciting more laughter from the room.
The former Knick started against his old team on opening night and blitzed in 22 points, swatted 2 shots, swiped a pair of steals, and shot 40-percent from the floor with 30-percent from beyond the arc.
The season did not go as planned, even seeing Carmelo Anthony benched in the playoffs in favor of break-out forward Jerami Grant during the closing lineups. Melo saw his minutes per game dip from 37 minutes in the first two games to 31 in the third game, 36 in the fourth game, and under 30 in the final two contests against the Jazz that series.
Another great moment from Thunder media day is when a reporter got so flustered asking the great Russell Westbrook a question, that he just gave up. After stumbling on his words a few time ends his mic time with “I’m sorry I am so nervous let me circle back.”
2017 was a wild NBA Media Day, the height of preseason expectation and excitement for Oklahoma City Thunder basketball, is it really that surprising someone would be flustered to talk to the Thunder GOAT?
After glimpses of Steven Adams working on his three-point shot, he was asked two years ago at OKC Thunder media day if he will pull out that deep ball in a game, he laughed off the idea saying “I do not wanna lose my job, mate.”
What are your favorite moments from OKC Thunder Media Days?