Announcers named for Thunder

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The team name is in place, the dancers are raring to go. Now all the Oklahoma City Thunder needs is somebody to call the games on TV.

The team took the next step Wednesday by announcing its new television broadcasters.

Hailing from outside Oklahoma, their names won't sound familiar, but give it time. Team execs are hoping both men will become household names.

Former basketball player Grant Long turned television basketball analyst is what Thunder fans will get next season as part of the Thunder's new television color analyst.

"We're excited about having a team here," Long said.

Long, along with his partner, Brian Davis, the Thunders new play-by-play announcer, said they are honored to be in Oklahoma City and a part of the Thunder.

"Bottom line on this, this is for me a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," Davis said.

One voice many Oklahomans know well, announcer John Brooks, knows about that opportunity all too well.

"When it would hit that puck I would say, ‘Geminey Christmas'," Brooks said.

Brooks spent nearly 30 years calling basketball and football games at OU and 27 years with the Oklahoma City Blazers. He said the chance Davis and Long have been given and the important role they will play is vital to the team's image.

"To me, you're part of the team." Brooks said. "You never get completely in the locker room, but you're probably as close to the locker room, if you're respected, you are as close to the locker room as you can be."

While Davis and Grant are thrilled to be a part of the Thunder, they're even more excited about the team's potential.

"I can't think of anything more special than a young team and a young organization with tremendous potential," Davis said.

Fans will have plenty of opportunity to get to know both announcers. The team is expected to have all 82 games televised in addition to their four preseason games.

Currently the team is in discussions with several potential TV partners.