Teisha TallBear remembers the day after the Thunder’s April 30 matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Playoffs. Like hordes of Thunder fans, she was heartbroken – and hoarse -- when the Thunder narrowly lost in Game Six.
“I was yelling and cheering so loud, I couldn't talk the next day,” recalled Teisha, who lives in the western Oklahoma town of Thomas. “I was sad when they lost, but proud at the same time.”
That Thunder pride, she added, has a lot to do with her allegiance to the team.
“When I went to a Thunder game for the first time, I was impressed,” she said. “I had never been inside the Ford Center and I just thought to myself, ‘Wow, Oklahoma! We have finally made it!’ Just seeing the sea of blue and hearing the crowd cheer, ‘THUNDER, THUNDER.’ I knew that I belonged there.”
The 22-year-old woman felt drawn to the Thunder for another reason.
“Just finding out how old the players were, it really made me feel connected because we’re the same age and we’re growing up together,” Teisha said.
“I'm 22, and Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant are younger than me! Being close to their age is great. I feel like I understand somewhat what they go through as a young adult. Different lifestyles, of course, but we're young adults still maturing.”
All Thunder fans, mature and immature alike, are welcome to the online interactive community, THUNDERALLY.Phil Bacharach is the Director of Corporate Communications for the Thunder. He is looking for die-hard Thunder fans throughout the world. If you or somebody you know bleeds Thunder blue, contact Phil by clicking here