Kevin Calabro: OKC Thunder need to make their own identity

Even though Oklahoma City players used to wear the green and gold, the voice of the Seattle SuperSonics says he doesn’t see the Thunder as Seattle’s team, and thinks they need to come up with their own identity.

“I don’t see it as our team necessarily playing here in Oklahoma City,” Kevin Calabro, former voice of the Seattle SuperSonics tells 97.3 KIRO FM Seattle’s Morning News.

While players and staff from the Seattle Sonics organization were transported to Oklahoma City, Calabro says, “I see it as the Thunder.”

He says he sees the OKC Thunder as a new organization, and doesn’t agree with the NBA recognizing Sonics history as part of the OKC organization.

“I think to try to draw upon the past and reference to past Sonics records is just not right,” says Calabro. “They need to paint their own picture and make their own identity here in Oklahoma City.”

Calabro called the Thunder’s Wednesday game against the Spurs for ESPN Radio. He said he maintained an objective position during the broadcast, but really felt the personal significance at the conclusion of the game, watching the team head into the NBA finals.

“I felt good for them as a team, but obviously there was a twinge there at the end of the game when I realized they were moving onto the finals, and I wasn’t going with them,” says Calabro.

When Calabro thinks of where the Sonics history and future lives, he still sees it in Seattle.

“The logo still remains as Seattle property. The brand Sonics still remains as Seattle property,” says Calabro. “I look at it as just the Sonics are on hiatus until they can come back.”

By JAMIE GRISWOLD, MyNorthwest.com Editor