The Oklahoma City Thunder embarked on their journey in 2008, marking a significant transition for the franchise that had previously been known as the Seattle SuperSonics. This move to Oklahoma City brought with it the challenge of establishing a new identity and building a competitive team from the ground up. The inaugural season was characterized by initial struggles, a coaching change, and a gradual improvement that laid the groundwork for future
successes, all while the team adjusted to its new home and fan base.
The Relocation and Initial Setup
The establishment of the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2008 followed the relocation of the Seattle SuperSonics. This move necessitated a rapid setup of operations in Oklahoma City. The team's temporary practice facility was the Sawyer Center at Southern Nazarene University, a location that had previously served the New Orleans Hornets when they temporarily moved to Oklahoma City after Hurricane Katrina. This immediate need for infrastructure highlighted the logistical challenges of a franchise relocation.
Before the 2008–2009 regular season officially began, the Thunder participated in several preseason games. However, only one of these games was held in Oklahoma City. Their first appearance was in Billings, Montana, on October 8, 2008, where they faced the Minnesota Timberwolves in an 88–82 preseason loss. The team's first game at the Ford Center, which would become their home arena, took place on October 14 against the Los Angeles Clippers. These early games were crucial for the team to acclimate to their new environment and prepare for the demanding NBA schedule.
Early Season Struggles and a Coaching Change
The Thunder's regular-season home opener saw them face the Milwaukee Bucks, a game they ultimately lost. Earl Watson scored the team's first points of the season with a layup. Three nights later, on November 2, the Thunder secured their first victory by defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves, improving their record to 1–3. Despite this early win, the team soon encountered significant difficulties, embarking on a 10-game losing streak.
This challenging start led to a pivotal decision on November 22: head coach P. J. Carlesimo and assistant Paul Westhead were fired. Assistant coach Scott Brooks then stepped in to take over on an interim basis. The team's struggles continued initially, as Oklahoma City lost its next four games, which tied the franchise's losing streak of 14 games set in Seattle the previous season. However, the team managed to prevent setting a new record by winning their subsequent road game against the Memphis Grizzlies, signaling a potential turning point.
Gradual Improvement and Financial Growth
As the inaugural season progressed, the Thunder began to show signs of improvement. After a difficult start with a 3–29 record, the team finished the remaining fifty games of the regular season with a 20–30 record. This marked a significant shift, as they not only started winning more frequently but also played with much greater competitiveness compared to the initial part of the season. The team concluded the season with an overall record of 23–59, which was an improvement over their 20–62 record from their final season in Seattle. The late-season successes were instrumental in Scott Brooks being officially signed as the team's head coach.
Financially, the move to Oklahoma City proved beneficial for the franchise. In December 2008, Forbes magazine estimated the team's franchise value at $300 million, representing a 12 percent increase from the previous year's $268 million when the club was still in Seattle. Furthermore, Forbes noted a substantial increase in the percentage of available tickets sold, rising from 78 percent in the team's last season in Seattle to a full 100 percent in the 2008–09 season. This indicated strong local support and a positive financial outlook for the newly established Oklahoma City Thunder.
