Tyler Parker, a novelist and devoted Thunder fan from Oklahoma, joins forces with Jordan Ritter Conn, host of Sonic Boom, to explore the emotional journey of the Oklahoma City Thunder. They discuss the franchise's unlikely rise as a contender amidst the superteam trend. The duo reflects on the impact of the Seattle relocation and its lingering effects on fans. They also highlight the exciting potential of the current team and ponder the possibility of reviving the Seattle SuperSonics, blending nostalgia with the hopes for the future.
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Thunder's Controversial Relocation
The Thunder's move from Seattle was a result of bad faith by new Oklahoma owners who never intended to keep the team in Seattle.
This betrayal left Seattle fans justifiably angry and is a major part of the Thunder's origin story.
insights INSIGHT
Seattle's Cultural Prestige vs OKC
Seattle was perceived as a culturally cool and prestigious city with an iconic NBA team.
Oklahoma City was a smaller, less-known market that shocked the basketball world by gaining an NBA team.
insights INSIGHT
Sports Teams Move Due to Greedy Owners
American sports teams move frequently because owners prioritize profits over community loyalty.
Fans bear the cost of stadiums while owners retain control and can relocate teams at will.
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Tyler Parker's debut novel, 'A Little Blood and Dancing', is a complex narrative that intertwines themes of violence, romance, and redemption. The story follows Sylvia Table, whose life unravels when an expected inheritance fails to materialize, leading him into crime. Meanwhile, Priscilla Blackwood seeks revenge for her father's murder, which Table may have been involved in. The novel explores the darker aspects of human relationships and the cyclical nature of violence.
The Road From Raqqa
A Story of Brotherhood, Borders, and Belonging
Jordan Ritter Conn
The book tells the story of two Syrian brothers, Riyad and Bashar, who take different paths in their journey from Raqqa. Riyad immigrates to the United States, where he faces challenges and bigotry, while Bashar heads to Germany. The narrative explores themes of immigration, family bonds, and belonging in the face of war and societal upheaval. It serves as a counterargument to anti-immigrant sentiment by highlighting the contributions and struggles of immigrants.
The Oklahoma City Thunder dominated the regular season and now enter the playoffs as one of the favorites to win the West thanks to MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. For nearly two decades, the Thunder have been one of the unlikeliest success stories in NBA history. In the win-now-at-all-costs superteam era, the Thunder have prioritized building for the future. In the era of superstars dictating their own moves to major media markets, the Thunder have thrived in one of the smallest markets in pro sports.
In Blood and Thunder, a special feature from the Ringer Podcast Network, Brian Phillips is joined by his fellow Oklahoma native Tyler Parker to talk about where the Thunder have been and where they’re going, why this year’s team is so fun to watch, and what the franchise means to Oklahoma. We’re also joined by Jordan Ritter Conn, the host of the podcast Sonic Boom: How Seattle Lost Its Team, to talk about the legacy of the team’s move from Seattle and whether a new Sonics franchise could help put the ghosts of the past to rest.
Host: Brian Phillips
Guests: Tyler Parker and Jordan Ritter Conn
Producers: Mike Wargon, Isaac Levy-Rubinett and Vikram Patel
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