Media Across the Nation Giving Notice to Thunder Win

By Rusty Surette, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The Thunder's win Thursday has drawn a lot of media attention in not only Oklahoma City, but in Los Angeles as well, and it's not just trash talk.

John Ireland is a familiar face and voice in California. He covers the Lakers for the CBS station in L.A., and he's also on the radio. Ireland's show on Friday was broadcasting out of Oklahoma City and was is all about the big Thunder win Thursday night.

"Durant, who's not known as a defensive player, really did a number on Kobe late," Ireland said on his radio show Friday.

Ireland and those calling into his show all agreed on one thing.

"I do think the Thunder clearly, completely deserved to win the game," someone commented on Ireland's radio show Friday.

Media across the nation seemed to agree.

The headlines for the L.A. Times newspaper read, "Thunder is not going quietly."

The NBC affiliate in L.A. stated, "These Thunder are relentless."

The Associated Press said Thursday was billed as the biggest sports day in Oklahoma City's history.

Even former Lakers player Mychal Thompson said he never expected the Thunder to be where they are today.

"Not this soon. You could see the young court that Sam Presti had put together, Scotty Brooks put together that they were going to be the team of the future, but the future came real fast, a lot faster than we thought," Thompson said.

But winners and losers aside, the one thing that's taken everyone back was the power of Thunder fans.

"I thought it was a college crowd. It reminded me of going to a UCLA game. If you like the coach and you like the best player and they have unbelievable fan support,  what's not to like? It's very hard to criticize the Thunder about anything," Ireland said. "That's how bad, that's the difference between Oklahoma City and L.A. Give out a free t-shirt here and they wear it. Give out a free t-shirt in L.A. and they use it to mop up their martinis."

Predictions from L.A. put Saturday's game as a real close one. Some Lakers fans said there's a good chance the Thunder could take it, and if they do then the series takes a very interesting and dramatic turn.

More on News9.com: Players, Coaches Sound off on Thunderous Crowd in Game Three