Thunder 'flashes' new uniforms

Staff and Wire Reports

OKLAHOMA CITY - It was another exciting day for the Thunder Monday as players showed off their new uniforms at a press conference, one day before the first day of practice.

Most reviews have been positive, not just of the uniforms but of the city and everyone who lives in it.

The unveiling was a big production with music and smoke machines.

"The uniforms, they're classic, they're timeless and they essentially pay tribute to the amazing heritage of the National Basketball Association," Thunder TV announcer Brian Davis said.

The home uniform is white, the away uniform is blue and both have accents of orange. Orange is a color Kevin Durant doesn't mind showing off.

"I love the jerseys," Thunder Forward Kevin Durant said. "They got the touch of burnt orange; we're in Big 12 country, I'm always going to be a Longhorn in Oklahoma."

The uniforms have a stripe of color down the side, a logo on the shorts and a splash of color in the middle, on top.

"They talked about respecting the heritage of the NBA and trying to keep it nice and clean and classy, and I think they did a good job," Thunder Head Coach P.J. Carlesimo said.

The coach and players have given a "thumbs up" so far on the uniforms, and on Oklahoma City.

"I love the city," Durant said. "I was just telling my mom the other day, I'm glad I'm here. The people are great, they love us here and that's what we need as a team."

"I'm from D.C.; D.C. is very cluttered, everything on top of each other," Thunder Forward Jeff Green said. "Here is very spacious, the people are lovely, they embrace us well."

The players and coaches feel how passionate Oklahomans are and people are making an impressive first impression.

"The reception and the way we've been welcomed and the excitement and enthusiasm is just here and palpable," Carlesimo said. "You can see it everywhere you go. It just makes it really special."

The team's nickname and logo were officially released earlier this month.

The colors in the team logo are light blue, which coincides with the color of the state flag, with splashes of yellow and reddish-orange.

Team owner Clay Bennett says the blue represents the inclusion of all Oklahomans, while the yellow refers to the sun and the reddish-orange color the sunset.

You can already pre-order jerseys online or at the team's store in Leadership Square. They run anywhere from $65 to $250. They'll be ready in December.

The Thunder tip off the season one month from Monday versus the Milwaukee Bucks in the Ford Center.

Most of the games will be shown on a rebranded Fox Sports network. Sixty-five NBA games will be shown on the network, which will be renamed Fox Sports Oklahoma. The rest of the games will be on other networks.