>> Rich: TO THE VICTORS GO THE SPOILS AND A CHAMPIONSHIP PARADE BEFORE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF FANS.

>> Wiggins: THE SAME PEOPLE IN THIS ARENA TODAY CELEBRATING THIS CHAMPIONSHIP WERE THE SAME PEOPLE THERE WHEN WE WERE WINNING 24 GAMES.

>> Rich: WE'LL LOOK BACK AT THE TEAM'S REMARKABLE HISTORY.

>> Stern: OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA.

WELCOME TO THE NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION!

[ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ] >> Rich: AND WE'LL DISCUSS THEIR BRIGHT FUTURE.

>> Gallo: WHAT THE THUNDER HAS DONE STRATEGICALLY FOR YEARS IS TRY TO BE REALLY FOCUSED ON BUILDING A SUSTAINABLE BRAND OF SUCCESS OVER THE COURSE OF TIME.

>> Rich: THE SAFE HAVEN BABY BOX CAN MEAN THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH FOR A NEWBORN INFANT.

>> THERE'S A CLIMATE-CONTROLLED SPACE INSIDE WITH A BASSINET.

YOU CAN SET THE CHILD INSIDE THERE.

ONCE THE DOOR CLOSES, IT'S LOCKED FROM THE OUTSIDE, IT CANNOT BE REOPENED.

>> Rich: A NEW OBSCENITY LAW HAS MANY PEOPLE WONDERING WHAT IT WILL DO AND IS IT REALLY NEEDED?

>> Daniels: IT'S A VERY EMOTIVE ISSUE FOR SOME PEOPLE.

I WANT US TO KNOW EXACTLY WHAT DOES THE LAW SAY AND NOT SAY.

>> Rich: PLUS, RFK JR.

WANTS TO MAKE OKLAHOMA HEALTHY AGAIN.

NEXT ON THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT.

Captioning Provided By AV Captioning www.avcaptioning.com >> Rich: HELLO, EVERYONE, AND WELCOME TO THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT.

I'M RICH LENZ.

WE'VE DEVOTED THE LION'S SHARE OF THIS NEWSCAST TO THE HISTORY-MAKING OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER WHO HAVE DELIVERED THE FIRST MAJOR PROFESSIONAL SPORTS CHAMPIONSHIP EVER TO OUR STATE.

WE'VE GOT TEAM COVERAGE FOR YOU.

STEVE SHAW WILL LOOK BACK AT THE HISTORY OF THE FRANCHISE AND THE ARENA THEY'VE CALLED HOME FOR 17 YEARS.

CASSIDY MUDD'S IN-DEPTH CONVERSATION WILL FOCUS ON THE BRIGHT FUTURE OF THE NBA CHAMPIONS.

AND WE BEGIN WITH JASON DOYLE, WHO HAD THE PLEASURE OF COVERING THE TEAM'S TRIUMPHANT PARADE THROUGH DOWNTOWN OKLAHOMA CITY ON TUESDAY MORNING.

>> Jason: EVEN BEFORE THE PARTY STARTED FOR THE OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER CHAMPIONSHIP PARADE IN THE PAYCOM CENTER ON TUESDAY MORNING, FANS WERE CELEBRATING AS THEY LEFT THE GAME SEVEN VICTORY ON SUNDAY NIGHT.

>> MAN, WE JUST WAITING ON THE THUNDER TO WIN BECAUSE I AM A THUNDER SPAN AND I HAVE BEEN WAITING ON THEM TO WIN, SO I COME OUT HERE AND CELEBRATE WITH MY PEOPLE.

>> Jason: SHE SAYS IT WAS TOTALLY WORTH THE WAIT TO BE UP CLOSE TO HER FAVORITE NBA TEAM.

>> Y'ALL SHOULD HAVE GOT HERE EARLY.

MEET ME HERE AND NOT BEAT ME THERE, BUT I GOT HERE BEFORE Y'ALL DID.

UH-HUH.

>> Jason: SHEMICA WASN'T ALONE.

>> GO THUNDER!

>> Jason: DEANGELO AND HIS FAMILY WERE UP BEFORE THE SUN TO GET THEIR SPOT AT SCISSORTAIL PARK.

>> HEY, GOTTA REPRESENT MY OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER, MAN.

WE BROUGHT A CHAMPIONSHIP HOME.

IT'S OUR TIME.

SO HEY, WE COMING OUT TO CELEBRATE.

THIS IS OUR TIME NOW.

>> YEAH, YOU ALREADY KNOW, THUNDER, WE GONNA DO IT A FAMILY STYLE, BABY.

>> Jason: EVEN THE DEVON TOWER WAS GETTING INTO THE CELEBRATION WITH A LIGHTNING BOLT.

MILES OF RAILING ALONG THE PARADE ROUTE WERE READY FOR FANS JUST TWO DAYS AFTER THE THUNDER WON IT ALL.

AND PLENTY OF LAW ENFORCEMENT READY TO PROTECT THOSE HUGE CROWDS CELEBRATING THEIR TEAM'S CHAMPIONSHIP.

AS DAY BREAKS OVER OKLAHOMA CITY, THE THUNDER FAITHFUL ARE TRICKLING INTO SCISSORTAIL PARK WHERE THE CHAMPIONSHIP PARADE WILL END AND THE PLAYERS WILL DISEMBARK TO GREET ALL THE FANS WAITING.

STARTING AT 9:30 TUESDAY MORNING, OVER IN THE PAYCOM ARENA, THE CELEBRATION OF THE HOMETOWN CHAMPIONS GOT UNDER WAY.

>> YOUR 2025 NBA CHAMPION OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER!

[ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ] >> WELCOME, EVERYBODY, TO THE OPENING CEREMONIES OF THE BIGGEST CELEBRATION IN THIS CITY'S HISTORY, A CHAMPIONSHIP PARADE IN THIS CITY!

[ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ] >> Jason: THUNDER SIDELINE REPORTER PARIS LAWSON TELLS THE CROWD THIS SEASON WAS SPECIAL.

>> THIS YEAR, WE WITNESSED MORE THAN JUST AN INCREDIBLE TITLE RUN.

WE WATCHED THIS TEAM PUT TOGETHER ONE OF THE MOST DOMINANT SEASONS THIS LEAGUE HAS EVER SEEN.

>> Jason: THE OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER BECAME ONE OF ONLY FOUR TEAMS IN NBA HISTORY TO WIN 84 GAMES IN A SINGLE SEASON AND IS THE SECOND YOUNGEST TEAM TO WIN AN NBA FINALS CHAMPIONSHIP.

>> OKC, OKC, OKC!

OKC, OKC, OKC!

[ CROWD CHANTING ] >> Jason: AARON WIGGINS WAS THE FIRST PLAYER TO ADDRESS THE ARENA CROWD.

HE WAS DRAFTED IN 2021, AND IN HIS FIRST SEASON, THE THUNDER ONLY WON 24 GAMES AND HE CELEBRATES THE FAN SUPPORT.

>> THE BEST PART OF COMING FROM THAT, THAT YEAR IS THAT THE SAME PEOPLE IN THIS ARENA TODAY CELEBRATING THIS CHAMPIONSHIP WERE THE SAME PEOPLE THERE WHEN WE WERE WINNING 24 GAMES.

[ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ] >> Jason: DURING THOSE DARK DAYS, THE SPORTS MEDIA TRIED TO LABEL OKC AS THE BLACK HOLE OF THE NBA.

>> BUT FOUR YEARS LATER, WHEN THEY MENTION THE THUNDER ORGANIZATION, WHEN THEY MENTION CLAY BENNETT, WHEN THEY MENTION SAM PRESTI, WHEN THEY MENTION MARK DAIGNAULT AND EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU IN THIS ARENA, THEY GOT TO MENTION YOU AS NBA CHAMPS!

[ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ] >> Jason: CHET HOLMGREN SHOWED HIS PRIDE IN THE CHAMPIONSHIP BEFORE SAYING A SINGLE WORD.

[ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ] THUNDER FANS ALSO GOT A HUMOROUS REMINDER OF HOW YOUNG THIS CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM IS.

WHAT HAVE THE LAST 48 HOURS BEEN LIKE FOR YOU?

>> FOR ME, ALCOHOL FOR THE FIRST TIME.

[ LAUGHTER ] THAT WAS COOL.

>> Jason: OF COURSE, THE MVP, WEARING HIS NATIVE COUNTRY'S FLAG, GAVE CREDIT TO HIS TEAM FOR THEIR SUCCESS.

>> SO MANY GUYS HAVE SAID IT, BUT THIS IS LIKE FAMILY.

WE DO EVERYTHING TOGETHER.

WE NEED EACH OTHER OUT THERE.

WE WANT EACH OTHER OUT THERE.

WE WIN BECAUSE WE HAVE EACH OTHER.

WE LOSE BECAUSE OF EACH OTHER, PROBABLY BECAUSE OF ME SOMETIMES.

[ LAUGHTER ] BUT YEAH, WE DO EVERYTHING TOGETHER.

AND GUESS WHAT, GUYS?

WE WON AN NBA CHAMPIONSHIP TOGETHER.

[ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ] >> Jason: AFTER THAT, THE PARTY MOVED OUTSIDE TO THE PARADE ITSELF WITH THOUSANDS OF ADORING AND SCREAMING FANS WAITING FOR THEIR CHANCE TO SEE THEIR TEAM ON THE STREETS OF DOWNTOWN OKLAHOMA CITY.

[ CROWD CHEERING, HORNS HONKING ] >> Jason: AFTER MORE THAN AN HOUR AND A HALF OF WINDING THROUGH DOWNTOWN OKLAHOMA CITY STREETS IN 90-PLUS-DEGREE HEAT, THE TEAM AND THE PARTY ARRIVED AT SCISSORTAIL PARK.

>> WELL, GOOD AFTERNOON, OKLAHOMA CITY.

[ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ] WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS!

[ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ] >> OKC, OKC!

>> WHO'S YOUR FAVORITE PLAYER?

>> SHAI!

>> AND NOW, PLEASE WELCOME TO THE STAGE OF SCISSORTAIL PARK THE 2025 NBA WORLD CHAMPIONS, YOUR OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER!

[ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ] >> HEY MAN, WE CHAMPS!

[ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ] THE CHAMP IS HERE!

[ LAUGHTER ] >> WE LOVE YOU GUYS.

IF YOU GUYS ARE, THE KIDS, DRUNK OFF CANDY AND THE ADULTS DRUNK OFF YOU KNOW WHAT TONIGHT, Y'ALL HAVE FUN TONIGHT.

WE LOVE YOU GUYS.

THANK YOU!

[ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ] >> Jason: JASON DOYLE, THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT.

>> Rich: EXCITING, HI?

ALTHOUGH PLANS ARE ALREADY IN THE WORKS TO REPLACE THE PAYCOM CENTER WITH A NEW FACILITY BY 2028, THE FACT IS THERE WOULD BE NO OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER WITHOUT THE ARENA THAT OPENED AS THE FORD CENTER IN 2002. WHO WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR GETTING IT BUILT WHEN THERE WAS NO GUARANTEE IT WOULD LURE A PRO FRANCHISE TO OKLAHOMA CITY?

STEVE SHAW JOINS US NOW WITH THE ANSWER.

STEVE?

>> Steve: RICH, WHEN I MOVED HERE TO OKLAHOMA CITY 13 YEARS AGO, THE HUMBLE ORIGINS OF THE OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER WERE FASCINATING TO ME.

IT WAS A VISION THAT WOULD NOT BE DENIED.

>> THERE WE INTO, CHECK THOSE OUT, MAKE SURE THEY LOOK GOOD.

THUNDER UP, BUDDY.

>> DID YOU DO THIS?

>> I DID, YEAH.

>> IN YUKON, MONDAY, LESS THAN 24 HOURS AFTER THE OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER WON THEIR FIRST WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP -- >> FOR THE FIRST TIME, THE NBA CHAMPION RESIDES IN OKLAHOMA CITY.

>> Steve: ZACK COLSON AND HIS SON BENTLEY STOPPED TO CHECK OUT WHAT JIM CRAIG OF BOULDER DESIGNS HAD COOKING.

>> AFTER THEY WON GAME THREE, WE STARTED WORKING ON IT, SO WE WENT ALL THE WAY IN AND I WAS LIKE, OH MY GOSH, I HOPE THEY WIN THIS BECAUSE IF THEY DON'T WIN... >> Steve: THE ORIGIN OF THE OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER GOES BACK TO 1993 WHEN MAYOR RON NORICK -- >> HOW YOU FEEL?

>> I FEEL GOOD.

I FEEL GOOD.

>> Steve: -- PRESENTED CITY VOTERS WITH A PENNY SALES TAX KNOWN AS METROPOLITAN AREA PROJECT, OR MAPS.

THE $350 MILLION GENERATED WOULD FUND NINE PROJECTS, INCLUDING THE BRICKTOWN CANAL AND A NEW ARENA.

>> I DON'T THINK ANYBODY, ME OR ANYBODY ELSE HAD GUESSED THAT IT WOULD HAVE BEEN THAT SUCCESSFUL.

THE VOTERS, THAT'S WHO I GIVE ALL THE CREDIT TO, THE VOTERS.

THEY BELIEVED WHAT I WAS TELLING THEM ON THE ORIGINAL VOTE.

THEY PASSED IT, AND THEY HUNG IN THERE THE WHOLE TIME THROUGH AND I'M -- I ALWAYS THANK THE VOTERS FOR THAT.

>> Steve: TWO YEARS LATER, ON APRIL 19th, 1995, THE OKLAHOMA CITY BOMBING SHOCKED A NATION.

>> IT LOOKS LIKE PART OF THE BUILDING HAS BEEN BLOWN AWAY.

WE'LL HAVE TO GO BACK AROUND THE OTHER SIDE TO TRY TO GET A BETTER VIEW OF.

>> ONCE THE BOMBING HAPPENED, WE HAD THE RESOURCES OF THE CITY AND MY TIME SHIFTED FROM MAPS IMMEDIATELY OVER TO THE BOMBING.

WE HAD TO TAKE CARE OF THOSE PEOPLE, TAKE CARE OF ALL THAT PROPERTY, WORK WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND DO ALL THOSE THINGS.

AND THAT OVER THERE IS WHERE THE NEW SOCCER STADIUM WILL BE BUILT.

>> WHEN'S THAT GOING TO HAPPEN REQUESTS.

>> I'M GOING TO GUESS IT WILL OPEN IN '28 OR '29.

>> Steve: THE LONG TIME NEWS AND SPORTS ANCHOR WAS ELECTED MAYOR IN 2004.

>> THE COMMISSIONER OF THE NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION DAVID STERN INTRODUCING OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER.

>> Steve: HE'S OKLAHOMA CITY'S ONLY FOUR-TERM MAYOR.

>> THE EMOTIONAL BONDING, THE UNITY THAT WAS CREATED THROUGH THE ECONOMIC CRISIS AND THE BOMBING JUST PUT THIS CITY IN A NEW POSITION EMOTIONALLY.

NOW, THE CITY DIDN'T LOOK ANY DIFFERENT, BUT PEOPLE KNEW THAT, YOU KNOW, MAYBE SOME OF THESE PROJECTS HAPPEN AND MAYBE SOME OF THEM WILL BE NEAT.

>> Steve: CORNETT'S ANTENNA WENT UP IN AUGUST OF 2005, HURRICANE KATRINA DECIMATED NEW ORLEANS AND THE LOUISIANA SUPERDOME WHERE THE NBA'S NEW ORLEANS HORNETS PLAYED.

CORNETT ALERTED NBA COMMISSIONER DAVID STERN THAT OKLAHOMA CITY'S FORD CENTER, NOW KNOWN AS PAYCOM CENTER, COULD BE THE HORNETS TEMPORARY HOME.

>> YOU KNOW, I THINK -- HE AND I WERE IN SYNC, AND AT THAT POINT, YOU KNOW, WE STARTED THESE KIND OF SECRET PHONE CONVERSATIONS BECAUSE WE COULDN'T -- YOU KNOW, I DIDN'T WANT ANYONE IN MY CITY TO KNOW THAT WE WERE -- I WAS WORKING ON THIS.

AND WE DIDN'T WANT ANYONE NATIONALLY TO KNOW THAT THE NBA WAS THINKING ABOUT PULLING A TEAM OUT OF NEW ORLEANS BECAUSE IT WAS JUST ALSO NEW.

BUT I THINK HE AND I ON THAT VERY FIRST DAY, WE THOUGHT, YOU KNOW WHAT?

THIS MAY END UP BEING THE NBA'S BEST SOLUTION TO THIS CRISIS THAT THEY WERE IN.

>> UNDERWAY FROM OKLAHOMA CITY'S GLEN BASS.

>> Steve: THE HORNETS PLAYED IN OKLAHOMA CITY FOR TWO YEARS.

BUSINESSMAN CLAY BENNETT IN 2006 BOUGHT THE SEATTLE SUPERSONICS AND MOVED THE TEAM HERE TWO YEARS LATER.

>> OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA, WELCOME TO THE NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION!

[ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ] >> Steve: ROY WILLIAMS RECENTLY RETIRED AS PRESIDENT OF THE GREATER OKLAHOMA CITY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

>> WITH HIS SPORTS BACKGROUND, NICK CORNETT WAS IN THE RIGHT PLACE AT THE RIGHT TIME WITH THE RIGHT JOB, DON'T YOU THINK?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I DON'T KNOW THAT THERE COULD HAVE BEEN A BETTER PERSON IN OKLAHOMA CITY TO BE THE MAYOR AND TO HAVE THAT BACKGROUND, AS YOU SAID, AND THAT KNOWLEDGE TO REALLY HELP FACILITATE US BEING AN NBA CITY.

>> I'M BEGINNING TO FORGET NAMES.

>> THAT'S ALL RIGHT, YOU'RE 89 YEARS OLD.

>> Steve: RAPHAEL ELLIOT IS A RETIRED ELECTRICAL ENGINEER WHO WORKED ON ALL NINE OF THE MAPS PROJECTS 30 YEARS AGO.

ONE OF HIS PRIZED POSSESSIONS THE THIS ARTIST'S RENDERING OF THE ORIGINAL FORD ARENA WITH SIGNATURES OF EVERY ARCHITECT, DESIGNER, AND ENGINEER INVOLVED.

HE TOLD ME WEDNESDAY, THE LATE AUBREY McCLENDON ONCE TRIED TO BUY IT FROM HIM.

HOW MUCH DID HE OFFER?

>> NOT GOING TO TELL YOU, HA HA HA HA.

>> YOU GUYS DOING OKAY?

>> YES.

>> OKAY, GREAT, GREAT, GREAT.

>> Steve: CHARLES STOUT HAS OPERATED THE BRICKTOWN BREWERY JUST BLOCKS FROM THE ARENA SINCE 1992.

>> THERE'S ABSOLUTELY NOTHING YOU CAN MEASURE THIS TO.

UNFORTUNATELY, WE'VE ALWAYS BEEN MEASURED BY HOW GREAT WE ARE AFTER TERRIBLE THINGS, YOU KNOW.

AFTER THE MURRAH BUILDING BOMBING, I MEAN AFTER THE TORNADOES.

I THINK WE HAVE ALWAYS HUNG OUR HAT ON WHAT GREAT HUMAN BEINGS WE ARE AND HOW WE HELP PEOPLE AND WHAT THE CULTURE OF OKLAHOMA IS LIKE.

AND NOW WE STILL HAVE THAT, BUT NOW WE ARE CHAMPIONS.

YOU KNOW, WE'RE WORLD CHAMPIONS.

[ CROWD CHEERING ] >> Steve: RON NORICK TOLD ME THIS WEEK, SINCE THE ORIGINAL PENNY SALES TAX RAISED $350 MILLION 30 YEARS AGO, MORE THAN 5 BILLION -- THAT'S A BILLION DOLLARS WITH A "B" -- IN PRIVATE BUSINESS INVESTMENT IN OKLAHOMA CITY AND BRICKTOWN HAS FOLLOWED, AND HE SAYS THAT 5 BILLION NUMBER IS A CONSERVATIVE NUMBER.

RICH?

>> Rich: STEVE, THANK YOU, GREAT HISTORY LESSON.

SO WHAT DOES THE FUTURE LOOK LIKE?

YOU CAN SAY IT GOT UNDER WAY WITH THE NBA DRAFT.

THE THUNDER PICKING THOMAS SORBER.

THE FUTURE IS VERY BRIGHT FOR THE NBA'S YOUNGEST TEAM.

THAT'S THE FOCUS OF OUR UPCOMING IN-DEPTH CONVERSATION WITH MODERATOR CASSIDY MUDD.

HERE'S A PREVIEW.

>> THE TEAM IS GOING INTO NEXT SEASON WITH THAT SAME ZERO AND ZERO MENTALITY.

THE ONE THAT BROUGHT THEM OUT OF SOME OF THE DEPTHS EARLY ON IN THAT 2020-21 SEASON TO WINNING A CHAMPIONSHIP.

THAT SAME PHILOSOPHY HAS APPLIED, AND I THINK THAT THEY RECOGNIZE THAT THEY'RE GONNA BE STARTING AT ZERO NEXT SEASON JUST LIKE ALL THE OTHER 29 TEAMS IN THE LEAGUE.

>> IT IS SO HARD TO DO.

WHAT WE JUST HAD A CHANCE TO WITNESS TOGETHER AS A FAN BASE THIS WEEK, IT TAKES SUCH AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF WORK, A LITTLE BIT OF LUCK, ALL OF THOSE THINGS THAT GO INTO EACH OTHER SO THEY HAVE ALL THE INGREDIENTS TO DO IT.

I DEFINITELY THINK THEY DO.

>> IF THERE EVER IS A TEAM THAT IS SET UP TO MAYBE HAVE A DYNASTIC RUN AND TO BE COMPETITIVE AS A CONTENDER FOR SEVERAL YEARS, IT IS THIS THUNDER TEAM.

BUT AT THE SAME TIME, IT'S SO HARD TO WIN.

WE HAVEN'T SEEN A REPEAT CHAMPION IN THE NBA SINCE 2017, 2018.

>> Rich: THE REST OF THAT CONVERSATION COMING UP LATER IN THIS NEWSCAST.

>>> PROTESTERS GREETING HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES DIRECTOR ROBERT F. KENNEDY JR. ON THURSDAY AS HE JOINED GOVERNOR KEVIN STITT TO UNVEIL THE "MAKE OKLAHOMA HEALTHY AGAIN" INITIATIVE, WHICH THEY SAY WILL PROMOTE COMMONSENSE HEALTH PRIORITIES, MEDICAL FREEDOM, AND A RETURN TO PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY.

THE OKLAHOMA STATE MEDICAL ASSOCIATION SAYS THE PLAN OFFERS SLOGANS AND NOT SOLUTIONS.

SECRETARY KENNEDY SAYS SOMETHING HAS GOT TO CHANGE.

>> Kennedy: WHEN I WAS A KID, WE HAD THE HEALTHIEST CHILDREN IN THE WORLD, AND TODAY WE HAVE THE SICKEST CHILDREN IN THE WORLD.

WHEN I WAS A BOY, WHEN MY UNCLE WAS PRESIDENT, I WAS A 10-YEAR-OLD BOY AND WE HAD 3% OF AMERICANS HAD CHRONIC DISEASE AT THAT POINT.

TODAY, 60% HAVE CHRONIC DISEASE.

WHEN MY UNCLE WAS PRESIDENT, WE SPENT ZERO ON CHRONIC DISEASE IN THIS COUNTRY.

THERE WEREN'T ANY TREATMENTS.

TODAY WE SPEND $1.7 TRILLION AND IT'S RISING.

NOW THOSE EXPENDITURES ARE RISING AT 2% FASTER THAN OUR ECONOMY.

THIS IS AN EXISTENTIAL THREAT TO OUR COUNTRY IN EVERY WAY.

>> Crawford: ONE OF THE THINGS HE DIDN'T ADDRESS WAS, IS THAT MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE SNAP BENEFITS DON'T GET ENOUGH RESOURCES TO BE ABLE TO BUY HEALTHY FOOD, AND I DIDN'T HEAR THAT THEY WERE GONNA INCREASE FUNDING FOR CHILDREN GETTING ADEQUATE NUTRITION, PARTICULARLY DURING THE SUMMER, BUT THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

SO I THINK GETTING ADEQUATE NUTRITION FOR CHILDREN IS CRITICAL TO OUR LONG-TERM HEALTH.

I DIDN'T HEAR THAT BEING SAID IN ANY WAY.

>> Rich: THE OSMA ISSUED A NEWS RELEASE.

THEY SAID, IN PART: "WASHINGTON'S POLITICAL THEATER SHOULD STAY IN WASHINGTON."

>>> IT'S UNFORTUNATE AND SAD THAT A BABY BOX PROGRAM IS NEEDED IN OKLAHOMA, BUT IT IS AND IT CAN BE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH FOR AN UNWANTED NEWBORN.

TAELYR JACKSON JOINS US NOW TO EXPLAIN.

TAELYR?

>> Taelyr: RICH, A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION CALLED SAFE HAVEN BABY BOXES INSTALLED THE SEVENTH BABY BOX IN OKLAHOMA THIS WEEK.

WE TRAVELED DOWN TO ARDMORE TO LEARN WHY IT WAS NEEDED IN THE SMALL COMMUNITY.

[ SIRENS BLARING ] >> Taelyr: AFTER THREE YEARS IN THE MAKING, A SAFE HAVEN BABY BOX WAS INSTALLED AT ARDMORE FIRE STATION 2 ON TUESDAY.

THE IDEA TO PUT A BOX IN THE TOWN CAME FROM TRAINING OFFICER JASON WAJACK AFTER A BABY WAS FOUND INSIDE OF A DUMPSTER ON A COLD JANUARY DAY IN 2023.

>> THAT WAS, YOU KNOW, OBVIOUSLY DISTURBING TO ME AND BY FATE, I HAPPENED TO BE SCROLLING THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA AND CAME ACROSS A VIDEO OF THE SAFE HAVEN BABY BOX.

TOOK THAT TO THE FIRE CHIEF AT THE TIME.

WE KNEW WE HAD A KNEW STATION UNDER CONSTRUCTION, AND FELT LIKE DUE TO THE STATION BEING A LITTLE MORE SECLUDED AND BEING NEW, THAT IT WOULD BE A PERFECT PLACE FOR SOMETHING LIKE THIS FOR THE COMMUNITY.

>> Taelyr: SAFE HAVEN BABY BOX IS THE ORGANIZATION THAT INSTALLED AND CREATED THE BOX, WORKING TO PREVENT ILLEGAL NEWBORN ABANDONMENT.

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT JESSE DETROFF SAYS THE ORGANIZATION OFFERS RESOURCES FOR PARENTS IN CRISIS.

>> YOU KNOW, WE HAVE A HOTLINE NUMBER THAT THEY CAN CALL AND WE'LL WALK YOU THROUGH THE BEST OPTION.

IT MAY NOT BE OUR BOX.

IT MAY NOT BE THE SAFE SURRENDER.

IT MIGHT BE A ADOPTION PLAN THAT WOULD WORK FOR THEM AS WELL, BUT WE ARE THERE TO LISTEN, WE ARE THERE TO HELP, AND WE'LL DO THAT ANY WAY WE CAN.

BUT IF YOU ARE THINKING ABOUT SURRENDERING EITHER TO WALK INTO A PLACE OR TO PUT AN INFANT IN ONE OF OUR BOXES FOR SAFETY, JUST KNOW THAT IT WILL BE TAKEN CARE OF.

IT WILL BE LOVED FOREVER AND IT WILL BE SAFE.

>> Taelyr: SO HOW DOES THE BABY BOX WORK?

>> THERE'S A DOOR ON THE OUTSIDE AND YOU OPEN THAT UP.

SOME INFORMATION WILL DROP OUT FOR THE PARENT TO TAKE WITH THEM.

THERE'S A CLIMATE-CONTROLLED SPACE INSIDE WITH A BASSINET.

YOU CAN SET THE CHILD INSIDE THERE AND ONCE THE DOOR CLOSES, IT'S LOCKED FROM THE OUTSIDE.

IT CANNOT BE REOPENED.

THAT WILL THEN TRIGGER AN ALARM THAT WILL GO THROUGH OUR DISPATCH, AND THEN AFTER 90 SECONDS, THERE'S AN ALARM THAT WILL SOUND INSIDE THE STATION TO LET -- IF WE HAPPEN TO BE HERE, BUT IF WE'RE NOT HERE, FIRST RESPONDERS WILL BE DISPATCHED TO THIS LOCATION.

>> Taelyr: NOW, THERE ARE NO SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE BUILDING, SO PARENT COMPLETELY DROP THEIR BABY OFF ANONYMOUSLY RIGHT HERE IN THIS BOX.

OKLAHOMA SAFE HAVEN LAW ALLOWS FOR A CHILD THAT IS SEVEN DAYS OR YOUNGER TO BE RELINQUISHED BY THEIR PARENTS.

THE NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION WAS FOUNDED IN 2016 BY CEO MONICA KELSEY.

>> YOU KNOW, I GREW UP ADOPTED.

I HAD NO IDEA OF WHAT HAPPENED AND WHY I WAS ADOPTED UNTIL I WAS AGE 37, AND I STUMBLED UPON MY BIOLOGICAL MOTHER BY ACCIDENT.

>> Taelyr: KELSEY'S FIRST MOTHER WAS JUST 17 WHEN SHE FOUND HERSELF PREGNANT AFTER BEING BRUTALLY ATTACKED IN THE '70s.

>> SHE ABANDONED ME TWO HOURS AFTER I WAS BORN, AND SO I STAND ON THE FRONT LINES OF THIS MOVEMENT AS ONE OF THESE KIDS THAT WASN'T LOVINGLY AND SAFELY AND LEGALLY AND ANONYMOUSLY PLACED IN A SAFE HAVEN BABY BOX BY A PARENT THAT WANTED ME, BUT THIS IS MY LEGACY AND I'M NOW THEIR VOICE AND I'LL FOREVER WALK WITH THESE MOMS AS THEY CHOOSE SOMETHING SAFE FOR THEIR CHILD.

MY BIRTH MOM DIDN'T HAVE THIS RESOURCE BACK IN 1973.

>> Taelyr: KELSEY SAYS THE IDEA OF A BABY BOX STEMS FROM A TRIP TO AFRICA.

>> I ALWAYS KNEW ABOUT THE SAFE HAVEN LAW, BUT I WAS ON A SPEAKING TOUR IN CAPETOWN, SEOUL AFRICA, WHERE THERE WAS A BABY STATION INSIDE OF A CHURCH.

I HAD NO IDEA OF WHAT THIS CONCEPT WAS.

I HAD NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT BEFORE.

IT WASN'T IN AMERICA.

SO I STARTED ASKING ALL THE RIGHT QUESTIONS AND THEY HAD SAVED SEVEN BABIES THAT YEAR IN THIS CHURCH BABY BOX.

SO ON THE FLIGHT BACK FROM CAPETOWN, SOUTH AFRICA, ON A DELTA NAPKIN, I HAND DREW MY VERSION OF A BABY BOX AND STARTED THE UPHILL BATTLE OF BRINGING THIS CONCEPT TO THE UNITED STATES.

>> Taelyr: THERE ARE NOW MORE THAN 300 SAFE HAVEN BABY BOXES ACROSS THE NATION AND SEVEN OF THEM ARE HERE IN OKLAHOMA.

THE OKC METRO HAS THREE LOCATIONS.

FIRE STATION 21 ON SOUTHWEST 29th STREET, FIRE STATION 12 ON MLK AVENUE, AND FIRE STATION 28 ON SOUTH ANDERSON ROAD.

THE SSM HEALTH ST. ANTHONY HOSPITAL ON NORTH LEE.

THE OTHER LOCATIONS IN THE STATE INCLUDE DUNCAN FIRE STATION 2 AND ST. FRANCIS HOSPITAL IN TULSA.

DE-TROFF SAYS EACH BOX COSTS ABOUT $16,000.

>> WHICH INCLUDES THEIR MAINTENANCE, THEIR 24/7 STAFF, THEIR UPDATES, AND JUST THE COST OF THE PROGRAM.

>> Taelyr: ARDMORE'S SAFE HAVEN BABY BOX WAS DONATED BY THE SOUTHERN OKLAHOMA MEMORIAL FOUNDATION.

DETROFF SAYS THE ORGANIZATION DOES NOT RECEIVE FEDERAL OR STATE FUNDING, BUT MOST COMMUNITIES GET THE BOXES BECAUSE OF GENEROUS DONATIONS.

>> WE JUST HAVE SUCH A GREAT COMMUNITY OF PEOPLE THAT SUPPORT SAFE HAVEN BABY BOXES, AND EVERY TIME THAT WE GO INTO A NEW COMMUNITY, YOU SEE THEM SHOW UP.

YOU SEE THE HELP THAT THEY HAVE TO EITHER DONATE OR TO EVEN -- WE HAVE WOMEN THAT WILL SAY, HEY, IS THERE ANYTHING THAT I CAN DO TO HELP?

I CAN'T DONATE, BUT I CAN CROCHET, SO THEY'LL CROCHET HATS OR MAKE BLANKETS FOR US.

>> Taelyr: THE ORGANIZATION HOPES TO ONE DAY HAVE BABY BOXES IN ALL 50 STATES.

RICH.

>> Rich: GREAT PROGRAM.

THANK YOU, TAELYR.

>>> THE OKLAHOMA SUPREME COURT HEARD ORAL ARGUMENTS ON STATE QUESTION 836 THIS WEEK.

THE INITIATIVE PETITION WOULD DRAMATICALLY CHANGE THE WAY PRIMARY ELECTIONS ARE CONDUCTED.

IF PASSED, ALL STATEWIDE AND COUNTY-LEVEL CANDIDATES WOULD BE PLACED ON THE SAME BALLOT WITHOUT PARTY AFFILIATIONS, WITH THE TOP TWO VOTE-GETTERS ADVANCING TO THE GENERAL ELECTION.

THE REPUBLICANS ARE CHALLENGING THE INITIATIVE REFERRED TO DURING THESE PROCEEDINGS AS IP-448.

>> IP-448 PROPOSES A RADICAL SHIFT IN OKLAHOMA'S ELECTION SYSTEM BY CREATING A SO-CALLED OPEN PRIMARY, BUT WHICH IS ACTUALLY A SYSTEM WHERE INDIVIDUALS CAN REGISTER THEMSELVES AS CANDIDATES OF AND AFFILIATE WITH A POLITICAL PARTY UNDER THE AMBIT AND AUSPICES OF THAT PARTY AND ITS NAME WITH NO AFFIRMANCE OF ITS PLATFORM OR VALUES ON AN OFFICIAL STATE BALLOT COERCED BY STATE LAW.

THE PETITIONERS CHALLENGED THIS AS A VIOLATION OF THE FIRST AMENDMENT.

>> AT LEAST ONE SIGNIFICANT FACTOR WOULD BE, WHAT DOES THE BALLOT LOOK LIKE?

HOW IS IT LAID OUT ON THE PAGE?

WHERE IS THE DISCLAIMER?

HOW DOES THAT FIT INTO IT HERE?

WE DON'T HAVE ANY BALLOTS.

THE BALLOTS DON'T EVEN EXIST YET, AND I DON'T THINK THIS COURT SHOULD BE MAKING CONSTITUTIONAL RULINGS BASED ON BALLOTS WHICH DON'T EVEN EXIST YET.

>> Rich: IT COULD TAKE SEVERAL WEEKS FOR THE HIGH COURT TO REACH A DECISION.

IF THEY RULE IN FAVOR OF STATE QUESTION 836 PROCEEDING, THE PROPONENTS CAN START GATHERING SIGNATURES FOR A CHANCE TO GET ON THE BALLOT.

>>> OKLAHOMA HAS A NEW OBSCENITY LAW THAT SOME LAWMAKERS SAY IS UNNECESSARY BECAUSE THERE ARE ALREADY OBSCENITY STATUTES ON THE BOOKS.

IN FACT, ONE LAWMAKER IS NOW ASKING ATTORNEY GENERAL GENTNER DRUMMOND TO WEIGH IN WITH AN OPINION ON EXACTLY WHAT THE LAW COVERS.

WITH MORE ON THAT, WE'RE JOINED NOW BY NOAH MACK.

NOAH?

>> Noah: RICH, THAT INQUIRY IS STILL PENDING RIGHT NOW, AND IT SEEKS TO CLARIFY WHETHER OR NOT DRAG PERFORMANCES FALL UNDER THE PURVIEW OF THIS NEW LAW.

THE SENATE MAJORITY LEADER, JULIE DANIELS, SUBMITTED THAT TO THE A.G.'S OFFICE.

MEANWHILE, DRAG QUEENS SEE THIS LAW'S POTENTIAL IMPLICATIONS AS AN INFRINGEMENT ON THEIR FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS.

>> I DECLARE SENATE HOUSE BILL 1217 TO HAVE PASSED AS AN EMERGENCY MEASURE.

>> Noah: HOUSE BILL 1217 OFFICIALLY BECAME OKLAHOMA LAW IN MAY AND SPECULATION IS SWIRLING AROUND THE INTENT TOWARD PUBLIC DRAG PERFORMANCES.

>> Daniels: SADLY, AS I PREDICTED, WE HAVE PEOPLE WHO BELIEVE THE BILL ABSOLUTELY DOES NOT BAN DRAG PERFORMANCES AND WE HAVE SOME PEOPLE WHO BELIEVE IT ABSOLUTELY DOES, AND SO AT THAT POINT, I DECIDED I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO HAVE AN A.G.'S OPINION.

SINCE IT DOES CAUSE DIVISION AMONG FOLKS AND IT'S A VERY EMOTIVE ISSUE FOR SOME PEOPLE, I WANT US TO KNOW EXACTLY WHAT DOES THE LAW SAY AND NOT SAY.

>> Noah: THIS IS WHAT THE LAW SAYS.

"IT IS UNLAWFUL FOR A PERSON TO ENGAGE IN AN ADULT PERFORMANCE WHICH CONTAINS OBSCENE MATERIAL IN A PUBLIC PLACE WHERE A MINOR, AS PART OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC, WILL BE EXPOSED TO VIEW SUCH ADULT PERFORMANCE."

WHEN IT WAS ON THE FLOOR, DEMOCRATS ARGUED THE BILL WAS UNNECESSARY AND DISCRIMINATORY.

>> Mann: WE ALREADY HAVE LAWS ON THE BOOKS TO DEAL WITH OBSCENITY.

THIS IS TARGETED TO A GROUP OF PEOPLE BECAUSE IT MAKES ANOTHER GROUP OF PEOPLE UNCOMFORTABLE.

I URGE YOU TO VOTE NO.

>> Noah: HOWEVER, THE LAW'S REPUBLICAN AUTHORS CLAIM ITS DIRECT PROHIBITION OF THESE PERFORMANCES IN FRONT OF MINORS IS THE DISTINCTION.

>> Bullard: WE HAVE MANY RESTRICTIONS ON WHAT HAPPENS WITH MINORS.

THIS IS JUST ONE MORE FURTHERANCE OF THAT PROTECTION OF MINORS.

>> Noah: THE LAW DOES NOT EXPLICITLY MENTION DRAG QUEENS, BUT THE BILL IT STEMS FROM DID.

SENATOR DAVID BULLARD AND REPRESENTATIVE KEVIN WEST AUTHORED LEGISLATION LAST SESSION THAT SPECIFICALLY DENOTES DRAG PERFORMERS, AMONG OTHER PERFORMERS LIKE STRIPPERS.

THE BILL FAILED, AND SO THEY WHITTLED IT DOWN TO THE BROAD LANGUAGE THAT IS NOW OKLAHOMA STATUTE, WHICH REPUBLICAN SENATOR JULIE DANIELS BELIEVES WARRANTS CLARITY.

>> Daniels: THAT'S WHAT WAS CLEAR TO ME, IS THAT IT'S UNCLEAR.

AND I DID WAIT UNTIL AFTER IT WAS PASSED TO KIND OF GET A SENSE OF WHAT THE REACTION WAS IN MY OWN COMMUNITY, AND AS SOON AS I SENSED THAT THERE WAS CONFUSION, THAT'S WHEN I DECIDED TO ASK FOR THE OPINION.

>> Noah: THE LAW IS CLEAR, HOWEVER, THAT EXCLUSIVELY ADULT SPACES THAT PROHIBIT CHILDREN ARE EXEMPT, WHICH INCLUDES CLUBS AND BARS.

SAILOR AND THE DOC IN DOWNTOWN OKC OFTEN HOSTS DRAG BRUNCH AT THEIR BAR WHERE A LINEUP OF LOCAL DRAG QUEENS ENTERTAIN AND TAKE BRUNCH ORDERS.

DRAG QUEEN SATIVA GREEN SAYS THEY TAILOR THEIR ATTIRE AND ROUTINES BASED ON THE AUDIENCE.

>> Green: WHEN THERE'S DRAG AT, LIKE, ALL-AGES EVENTS, LIKE WE OBVIOUSLY KNOW HOW TO CONDUCT OURSELVES WITH, YOU KNOW -- LIKE PROFESSIONALLY AND, LIKE, JUST HOW TO PRESENT OUR DRAG FOR ALL AGES.

YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN?

SO, LIKE, HERE THIS IS 21 AND UP, SO IT'S, LIKE, FOR ADULTS AND STUFF, BUT, LIKE, SAY IF THIS WAS FOR ALL AGES, IT WOULD BE A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT KIND OF SHOW.

IT WOULD BE FILTERED.

>> Noah: THE HOST OF THIS DRAG BRUNCH, LA'PORSCHE BINZ, IS A MEMBER OF THE OKLAHOMA PRIDE COMMITTEE AND SAYS SOME OF THEIR CONCERNS IS THAT THE BILL WILL BE USED TO GENERALIZE ALL DRAG PERFORMANCES AS OBSCENE.

>> Binz: WHENEVER THEY TALKED ABOUT THE BILL AND BROUGHT IT UP, THE ORIGINAL BILL TALKED ABOUT BEING OBSCENE, BUT THEN STITT SAID DRAG QUEENS.

>> Noah: WHEN GOVERNOR KEVIN STITT SIGNED THE BILL INTO LAW, HE RELEASED THIS VIDEO.

>> Stitt: THIS BASICALLY -- I MEAN, THIS IS A NO-BRAINER.

WE'RE BASICALLY BANNING DRAG SHOWS IN FRONT OF KIDS.

>> Noah: AGAIN, DRAG IS NOT EXPLICITLY MENTIONED IN THE NEW LAW, WHICH IS WHY SENATOR DANIELS WANTS A CONCRETE OPINION FROM THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE.

>> Daniels: I AM GOING TO ASK EVERYBODY TO BE PATIENT AND LET'S WAIT TO SEE WHAT THE A.G. OPINION SAYS, PROVIDED THAT ONE IS ISSUED.

THERE'S NO OBLIGATION ON THE A.G.'S PART TO ISSUE AN OPINION.

AND TO CONSIDER CAREFULLY WHAT THE WORDS IN THE BILL SAY COULD BE DIFFERENT FROM WHAT PEOPLE HAVE SAID THE BILL SAYS.

>> Noah: AND ANOTHER KEY QUESTION ASKS: "THE IS A PERFORMANCE BY AN INDIVIDUAL DRESSED IN DRAG INCLUDED IN THE DEFINITION OF OBSCENE MATERIAL?"

>> Daniels: OBSCENITY IS IN THE EYES OF THE BEHOLDER.

EACH OF US INDIVIDUALLY DETERMINE WHAT WE FIND DISTASTEFUL OR OBSCENE OR TRULY, YOU KNOW, OBJECTIONABLE, AND CERTAINLY IN FRONT OF KIDS.

BUT THE LAW DOESN'T ALWAYS SEE IT THAT WAY, AND THAT'S, AGAIN, WHERE WE NEED TO ALL BE ON THE SAME PAGE.

>> Noah: LA'PORSCHE SAYS HER DRAG IS HER FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION IN PRACTICE.

>> Binz: WHENEVER OTHER PEOPLE ARE GOING THROUGH PIVOTAL OR HARDSHIPS IN THEIR LIFE, THE THING THAT THEY GO TO IS EXPRESSION, ART.

THAT'S THE MAIN WAY TO HEAL, AND THAT'S WHAT I'VE -- WHAT I'VE CHOSEN.

THAT'S WHAT THIS IS FOR SOME OF US.

>> Noah: LA'PORSCHE IS HOSTING PRIDE FEST THIS WEEKEND AT SCISSORTAIL PARK, ADDING THAT WHATEVER OPINION COMES OUT OF THE A.G.'S OFFICE, THEY WILL FIND WAYS TO ADAPT.

RICH?

>> Rich: NOAH, THANK YOU.

>>> THE OSAGE NATION IS MAKING A MAJOR INVESTMENT IN OKLAHOMA'S BOOMING AEROSPACE INDUSTRY.

THAT STORY TOPS THIS WEEK'S STATEWIDE OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW WITH JASON DOYLE.

>> Jason: THE OSAGE NATION WILL INVEST AN ESTIMATED $500 MILLION IN THE AEROSPACE INDUSTRY THANKS TO A $2 MILLION GRANT FROM THE ENVIRONMENTAL DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION.

THE TRIBE OPENED THEIR SKYWAY 36 DRONE PORT AND TECHNOLOGY CENTER IN MAY.

IT'S HOUSED IN A CONVERTED TULSA AIRPORT HANGAR.

A SWISS COMPANY WINDSHAPE WILL TEST DRONES IN SIMULATED STORMS INSIDE THE 19,000-SQUARE-FOOT FACILITY.

THE DRONE PORT INCLUDES OUTDOOR TESTING GROUNDS AND A 3,000-FOOT HUNDRED LUN WAY.

>>> A $27 MILLION PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN DAWN AEROSPACE AND THE DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY WILL BRING THE AURORA MARK 2 SUBORBITAL SPACE PLANES TO BURNS FLAT, OKLAHOMA.

FLIGHTS CAPABLE OF DELIVERING PAYLOADS TO THE EDGE OF SPACE ARE EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN 2027 WITH A NEARLY THREE-MILE-LONG RUNWAY.

SPACE PORT OKLAHOMA IS ONE OF 14 FAA LICENSED SPACE PORTS IN THE UNITED STATES.

>>> OKLAHOMA MOTORISTS AND THE REST OF THE COUNTRY ARE ENJOYING LOWER GAS PRICES AHEAD THE SUMMER DRIVING SEASON, WHICH IS NOT THE NORM.

TRIPLE-A OKLAHOMA SAYS THE AVERAGE PRICE FOR A GALLON OF UNLEADED AS OF THURSDAY AS $2.81 A GALLON.

A YEAR AGO, IT WAS $3.07.

THE 40 MILLION AND DRET TI GAMES WERE OPEN ITS FIRST OKLAHOMA LOCATION ON JULY 15th.

THE VENUE IS LOCATED ON THE BROADWAY EXTENSION.

THE FACILITY WILL SUPPORT 300 FULL AND PART-TIME POSITIONS.

THE COMPANY IS BASED IN ORLANDO, FLORIDA, AND CURRENTLY HAS TEN LOCATIONS IN FIVE STATES.

JASON DOYLE, THE OKLAHOMA CITY BUSINESS REVIEW.

>> Rich: JASON, THANK YOU.

>>> IN ALL RESPECTS, THE OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER ARE YOUNG.

THE FRANCHISE IS ONLY 17 YEARS OLD.

AND THE PLAYERS?

CHET HOLMGREN IS 23, JALEN WILLIAMS IS 24, AND SGA IS 26.

THE FUTURE IS SO BRIGHT, THEY GOTTA WEAR SHADES, WHICH MOST OF THEM DID DURING TUESDAY'S VICTORY PARADE.

WITH MORE ON THE TEAM'S FUTURE, HERE'S MODERATOR CASSIDY MUDD AND HER PANEL OF GUESTS WITH THIS WEEK'S IN-DEPTH DISCUSSION.

CASSIDY.

>> Cassidy: RICH, JOINING US TO DISCUSS THIS IS NICK GAL LOW, THE SIDELINE REPORTER FOR THE OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER, JONATHAN MEISNER, AND JOE MULLATTO WHO BEGAN COVERING THE THUNDER BACK IN 2019.

GENTLEMEN, THANK YOU ALL FOR JOINING US HERE ON IN-DEPTH.

>> HONORED TO BE HERE, THANK YOU.

>> GLAD TO BE HERE.

>> SO EXCITED TO HAVE YOU.

WE'RE HEARING THE WORD DYNASTY ASSOCIATED WITH THIS TEAM.

IS THAT HYPERBOLE OR SOMETHING THAT COULD BE A REAL POSSIBILITY?

GHIE THINK THAT'S GOING WAY TOO FAR WAY TOO FAST FOR RIGHT NOW.

I THINK ALL OF US HERE IN OKLAHOMA CITY CAN FOCUS ON ENJOYING THIS CHAMPIONSHIP THAT THE THUNDER JUST WON AND IT'S OBVIOUSLY LIGHTNING IN A BOTTLE FOR ANY TEAM THAT'S ABLE TO WIN AN NBA CHAMPIONSHIP.

SO THIS TEAM HAS GOTTEN TO THIS POINT BY REALLY MAINTAINING WHAT THEY CALL A ZERO AND ZERO MENTALITY, PUTTING ONE FOOT IN FRONT OF THE OTHER AND FOCUSING ON WHAT THEY CAN CONTROL TODAY.

THEY CAN'T CONTROL ANY OF THE EXTERNAL TALK ABOUT EXPECTATIONS, BUT THEY CAN CONTROL THE WORK THAT THEY'RE PUTTING IN TO TRY TO MAKE NEXT SEASON AS SPECIAL AS THIS ONE WAS.

>> Cassidy: SO EXCITED.

JONATHAN, WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> I THINK HE SAID IT REALLY WELL.

IS IT A POSSIBILITY?

SURE.

BUT IT IS SO HARD TO DO WHAT WE JUST HAD A CHANCE TO WITNESS TOGETHER AS A FAN BASE THIS WEEK.

IT TAKES SUCH AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF WORK, A LITTLE BIT OF LUCK, ALL OF THOSE THINGS THAT GO INTO IT, SO THEY HAVE ALL THE INGREDIENTS TO DO IT.

I DEFINITELY THEY THINK DO, BUT IT IS SO HARD TO DO THAT IT'S, LIKE YOU SAID, IT'S A LOT REALLY EARLY.

IT'S ENJOY TODAY BECAUSE IT DOESN'T HAPPEN ALL THE TIME AND I ALREADY CAN'T WAIT FOR NEXT SEASON, GOING TO BE A BLAST.

>> I'M WITH THE REST OF THESE GUYS.

IF THEY HAVE IS A TEAM THAT IS SET UP TO MAYBE HAVE A DYNATTIC RUN AND TO HAVE COMPETITIVE AS A CONTENDER FOR SEVERAL YEARS, I THINK IT IS THIS THUNDER TEAM, BUT AT THE SAME TIME, SO IT'S HARD TO WIN.

WE HAVEN'T SEEN A REPEAT CHAMPION IN THE NBA SINCE 2017, 2018.

YOU KIND OF HAVE TO STAY IN THE MOMENT.

I THINK THAT'S LIKE A BETTER THOUGHT THAN, OKAY, WE'RE GOING TO GO WIN ANOTHER ONE AND THEN ANOTHER ONE.

LIKE, YOU JUST SORT OF HAVE TO STAY IN THIS MOMENT.

>> Cassidy: REALLY RELISH THE MOMENT.

NICK, LET'S START WITH THE LATEST NEWS.

I KNOW DRAFT PICKS COMING UP AGAIN ON THURSDAY NIGHT, BUT WHAT DID WE LEARN FROM WEDNESDAY NIGHT?

>> THE THUNDER SELECTED THOMAS SORBER OUT OF GEORGETOWN WITH THE NUMBER 15-YEAR-OLD PICK AND THAT FIRST OF ALL SHOULD BE WHAT JUMPS OUT TO EVERYBODY.

HOW IS THE NBA CHAMPION DRAFTING AT NUMBER 15 OVERALL IN THE DRAFT?

IT'S ONE SPOT OUTSIDE THE LOTTERY, AND ONCE AGAIN, IT'S A GREAT EXAMPLE OF THE WAY THAT THE THUNDER FOR YEARS HAS STRATEGIZED ON ITS JOB OF IN THIS MARKET, LAYERING IN YOUNG TALENT THAT CAN COMPOUND ON TOP OF EACH OTHER.

WE SAW HOW EFFECTIVE THAT WAS IN BUILDING THIS CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM AND THE TEAM IS CONTINUING TO INVEST IN THAT STRATEGY WITH A GUY LIKE SORBER WHO HAS GREAT LENGTH AND SIZE FOR HIS POSITION.

7'6" WINGSPAN AS A CENTER POWER FORWARD ABLE TO MAY WITH THE BALL AT THE TOP OF THE KEY AND DEFEND AT A REALLY HIGH LEVEL AS WELL.

>> Cassidy: THINKING ABOUT THAT AND HAVING SOUCH YOUNG PEOPLE COME IN, HOW DIFFICULT WILL IT BE TO KEEP THE TEAM AGAIN, INTENTIONAL THE CORE, SGA, JASON WILLIAMS AND HOLMGREN.

>> THE NBA IS SET UP TO PULL TEAMS TOWARD THE MIDDLE.

IF YOU'RE REALLY BAD, THE SYSTEM PULLS YOU UP TOWARDS THE MIDDLE.

IF YOU'RE REALLY GOOD, THE SYSTEM PULLS YOU BACK TORNADO THE MIDDLE.

WHAT THE THUNDER HAS DONE STRATEGICALLY FOR HERE'S IS TRYING TO BE FOCUSED ON BUILDING A SUSTAINABLE BRAND OF SUCCESS OVER THE COURSE OF TIME, DOING SO IN A WAY THAT ALLOWS THESE YOUNG PLAYERS, AS I MENTIONED, TO KIND OF LAYER IN ON TOP OF EACH OTHER, COMPOUND THEIR TALENTS.

>> Noah: -- >> Cassidy: AND THE OTHER DRAFTED PLAYERS?

>> WE DON'T KNOW YET BECAUSE THE THUNDER END UP TRADING ITS SECOND FIRST ROUND PICK AWAY.

SECOND ROUND PICKS NOT IN YET.

>> Cassidy: YOU STARTED COULD GO THE THUNDER IN 2018 RIGHT AS THE REBUILDING WAS HAPPENING.

WHAT STANDS OUT AND WHAT LAID THE GROUNDWORK THEN FOR THIS SEASON?

GHIE THINK OBVIOUSLY THE GROUNDWORK WAS LAID EVEN BEFORE THEN WITH, YOU KNOW, SAM PRESTI BEING THE THROUGH LINE TO ALL OF THIS, HAVING BEEN HERE SINCE THE THUNDER RELOCATED, BUT YEAH, I MEAN FROM THAT 2019-20 PLAYOFF TEAM TO A COUPLE OF REBUILDING SEASONS, BACK TO THE PLAY-IN THE NEXT SEASON, AND THEN, YOU KNOW, BACK-TO-BACK YEARS NOW AS THE NUMBER ONE SEED ENDING WITH THE CHAMPIONSHIP THIS YEAR.

>> Cassidy: WHEN YOU WIN A CHAMPIONSHIP AND DO WELL LIKE THIS, OTHER TEAMS COME A-CALLING.

DO WE THINK SAM PRESTI WILL STICK AROUND?

>> SAM HAS BEEN WITH THIS ORGANIZATION SINCE 2007 WHEN IT WAS IN SEATTLE.

HE WAS 29 WHEN HE WAS HIRED AS GENERAL MANAGER AND JUST THE COHESION THAT HE'S HAD WITH CLAY BENNETT, THE TEAM'S GOVERNOR AND SORT OF THEIR VISION, I'D BE STUNNED IF THAT WERE TO HAPPEN, BUT SEEMS LIKE SAM AND THE THUNDER ARE IN A GOOD PLACE RIGHT NOW.

>> Cassidy: AND YOU TALKED ABOUT THIS A LITTLE BIT, BUT CAN YOU EXPLAIN THE TREASURE TROVE OF DRAFT PICKS THAT SAM PRESTI HAS BUILT UP AND WHAT IT MEANS FOR THE FUTURE?

>> CERTAINLY.

IT STEMS BACK TO THE TEAM THAT JOE STARTED COVERING THE TEAM.

THANK YOU FOR -- SURE.

[ LAUGHTER ] WHEN THE THUNDER TRADED PAUL GEORGE AND RUSSELL WESTBROOK IN THAT SUMMER OF 2019 AND THE RETURN WAS ALEXANDER AND THIS MASSIVE BEVY OF DRAFT PICKS, THOSE WERE USED INITIALLY FOR GUYS LIKE JAYLEN WILLIAMS, JDUB, AND OTHERS ALONG THE WAY, BUT ALSO LAYERED IN AND ACTUALLY SPUN FORWARD INTO FUTURE YEARS.

THE THUNDER HAS MULTIPLE FIRST-ROUND DRAFT PICKSES IN VUS ABOUT EVERY DRAFT FOR THE -- JUST ABOUT EVERY DRAFT FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE.

THE NBA ONLY ALLOWS YOU TO TRADE DRAFT PICKS SEVEN YEARS OUT, SO I WOULD IMAGINE IF THE THUNDER CORKS THEY WOULD HOLD THEM FURTHER INTO THE FUTURE.

JUST LAST NIGHT AS WE WERE MENTIONING, THE THUNDER TRADED THE NUMBER 24 PICK IN THE DRAFT FOR A PROTECTED PICK IN THE 2027 DRAFT.

THEY'RE CONSTANTLY THINKING ABOUT, OKAY, AS ROSTER DYNAMICS CHANGE, AS SALARIES CHANGE OVER THE COURSE OF PEOPLE IS AS PLAYERS ENTER THEIR PRIME, THESE ASSETS THAT WE ARE GOING TO HAVE AT OUR DISPOSAL, THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE DIFFERENT LEVELS OF VALUE TO US AND DIFFERENT LEVELS OF VALUE AROUND THE LEAGUE.

WE NEED TO BE PRIMED AND POSITIONED TO USE THOSE.

>> Cassidy: YOU WERE THE THUNDER'S FIRST GAME DAY EMCEE.

>> I WAS?

IT WAS A RIDE OF A LIFETIME, FOR SURE.

>> Cassidy: I BELIEVE YOU.

WHAT DID YOU REMEMBER OF THOSE OPENING DAYS?

YOU TALKED ABOUT THE CULTURE A LITTLE BIT.

HOW HAS IT CHANGED?

>> I THINK THAT WAS ONE OF THE MAIN THINGS I REMEMBER IS OKLAHOMA LOVES SPORTS.

LIKE WE'VE SEEN THAT FOR YEARS AND DECADES AND DECADES.

>> Cassidy: YES, WE DO.

>> YOU HAVE SUCH A STRONG BASE WITH OKLAHOMA AND OU AND TO SEE A COMMUNITY COME TOGETHER FOR SOMETHING THAT WAS TO SO NEW, SO EXCITING FOR THIS CITY, HONESTLY, IT MADE MY JOB INCREDIBLY EASY BECAUSE ALL THE ENERGY WAS THERE IN THE ROOM.

I'LL NEVER FORGET THAT FIRST GAME BEING IN THE ROOM TO SAY THUNDER, GET LOUD, OUR FIRST SEASON, UNLIKE ANY OTHER.

I THINK YOU'VE HEARD NATIONAL NETWORKS TALK ABOUT HOW THIS FAN BASE IS SO UNIQUE.

I'VE BEEN TO OTHER ARENAS BEFORE FOR GAMES AND THERE IS SOMETHING SPECIAL.

THAT WAS TRUE THEN AND IT'S TRUE TODAY.

>> Cassidy: TOTALLY AGREE.

I TO THEALLY AGREE.

NICK, HAVING BEEN COURT SIDE ALL SEASON, WHAT IS MAYBE ONE THING, A COUPLE THINGS THAT REALLY KICKED IT OUT OF THE PARK FOR US THIS YEAR?

>> I JUST THINK THE CONNECTION LEVEL OF THE PLAYERS.

THIS IS A BUSINESS THAT IS EXTREMELY COMPETITIVE, THIS BUSINESS.

THERE'S ONLY 48 MINUTES TO PLAY IN AN NBA GAME AND THERE'S WAY MORE GUYS THAT ARE WORTHY OF MINUTES THAN THERE ARE OPPORTUNITIES TO PLAY EVERY SINGLE NIGHT, BUT WHEN YOU WATCH THIS TIME, YOU WOULD NEVER KNOW THAT THEY ARE IN COMPETITION WITH EACH OTHER.

YOU WOULD ONLY THINK THAT THEY ARE IN COMPETITION WITH THE OPPONENT AND THE GAME, AND I THINK THERE WAS A MOMENT THAT REALLY, REALLY STOOD OUT TO ME IN THE PLAYOFFS.

GAME TWO OF THE WESTERN CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS WHEN THE THUNDER WAS FACING THE DENVER NUGGETS.

DOWN 0-1 IN THE SERIES, JESUS LOST THE PREVIOUS GAME ON -- JUST LOST THE PREVIOUS GAME ON A BUZZER BEATER.

ABOUT FOUR MINUTES IN THE GAME, HARTSTEIN GETS SUBBED OUT.

THAT'S PRETTY EARLY.

BUT IT WAS PART OF THE THUNDER'S STRATEGY TO GET A YOUNGER BIG MAN, J-WILL, INTO THE GAME, GET SOME PHYSICALITY.

THE VERY FIRST TIME THAT THE BALL SWUNG TO JAYLEN WILLIAMS ON THE PERIMETER, THE FIRST GUY STANDING UP ON THE BENCH WAS THE GUY WHO WAS JUST SUBBED OUT AND HE HAD THREE FINGERS IN THE AIR, KNOWING THAT SHOT WAS GOING DOWN.

WHAT A PECT ENCAPSULATION OF THE LEVEL OF THIS TEAM AND IT DOESN'T MATTER WHO'S PUTTING THE BALL IN THE BASKET, BUT WHO'S WINNING OR NOT KAY THINK IT'S AMAZING HOW THIS TEAM DOESN'T JUST INVEST IN WIN NG, BUT IN ITS PLAYERS AND IN THE CITY.

>> IT'S COMPLETELY CONNECTED.

IT'S ALL SUPER INTERCONNECTED.

WE KNOW THUNDER PLAYERS, THE VERY FIRST THING THEY DO WHEN THEY COME TO THE CITY IS TO VISIT THE MEMORIAL DOWN.

TO WATCH THAT PARADE ROUTE GO RIGHT DOWN THAT ROUTE, PAST THE MEMORIAL, ALL THAT IS INTENTIONAL AND THOUGHT THROUGH.

IT'S METICULOUS THE WAY THE THUNDER TRIES TO BE A REFLECTION OF THIS COMMUNITY, THE REFLECTION OF THE COMMUNITY'S VALUES AND THAT'S WHAT WE SEE AN A DAY IN AND DAY OUT BASIS.

IT'S DRIVING PLAYERS THAT SAM PRESTI IS BRINGING INTO THE ORGANIZATION.

NOT ONLY WILL THEY FIT WITH THE TEAM, WILL THEY FIT WITH THE CITY?

>> Cassidy: THIS WEEK, THE PARADE BROUGHT OUT THE BIGGEST CROWDS I'VE SEEN SINCE PROBABLY THE LAND RUN, I'VE BEEN HEARING.

WHAT WAS THE EXPERIENCE LIKE FOR YOU TWO THERE WATCHING?

>> UNBELIEVABLE.

I WASN'T GOING TO MISS IT.

IT WAS HOT, REALLY HOT, AND I GOT HOTTER AS I WENT BECAUSE I THINK THE CROWD GOT CLOSER AND CLOSER AND CLOSER AND CLOSER.

IT WAS TRULY OVERWHELMING.

I THINK TO YOUR POINT AND TO YOUR CREDIT, THE PLAYERS -- OR TO WHAT YOU SAID, THE PLAYERS HAVE DONE A REALLY GOOD JOB CONNECTING WITH THIS COMMUNITY.

>> I KNOW THAT'S BEEN INTENTIONAL FROM THE ORGANIZATION, FROM THE TOP DOWN SO I THINK THE PARADE WAS THE EXPRESSION OF THAT CONNECTION, AND SEEING THE PLAYERS GET OFF THE BUSES AND WALK UP TO THE PLAYERS AND TOUCH THE TROPHY, IT IS A DEEP CONNECTION THAT IS VERY UNIQUE THAT IN MY EXPERIENCE AS WATCHING PARADES AND THINGS OVER THE YEARS, YOU DON'T SEE.

AND SO TO BE A FAN IN THIS SETTING AS ONE OF THEM WITH MY PHONE OUT AMONG THE OTHER FANS IN THE HEAT AND EVERYTHING, IT WAS WORTH IT, BUT JUST A REALLY GREAT PICTURE OF THE CONNECTION BETWEEN PLAYERS AND THEIR FANS.

>> JOE, WHAT DID YOU THINK?

>> THE THING THAT STRUCK ME WAS BEING AT SCISSORTAIL PARK FOR THE END AND THE THOUGHT THAT WHEN THE THUNDER ARRIVED IN 2008, SCISSORTAIL PARK WAS A DISTANT DREAM.

THAT WAS WHEN I-40 WAS STILL GOING RIGHT THROUGH DOWNTOWN, JUST EMPTY LOTS BASICALLY AND TO SEE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE IN THIS REALLY BEAUTIFUL SPACE WITH ALL THESE NEW STRUCTURES AROUND IT, I REALLY THOUGHT ABOUT HOW LIKE THE THUNDER'S RISE HAS COINCIDED WITH OKLAHOMA CITY'S RISE AND I THINK THOSE TWO THINGS GO HAND IN HAND.

>> Cassidy: THEY DO.

NICK, YOU WERE ACTUALLY IN THE CROWD AS WELL.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE.

>> ABSOLUTELY UNBELIEVABLE.

THE CONCEPT THAT THE PLAYERS WOULD GET OFF THE BUSES AND GET DOWN ON THE GROUND, IT DIDN'T OCCUR TO ME BEFORE THE PARADE, BUT THE MOMENT IT HAPPENED, IT WAS LIKE, OF COURSE.

OF COURSE THESE GUYS ARE GOING TO DO THAT.

THAT WAS REALLY SPECIAL TO GET TO FOLLOW THOSE GUYS AROUND.

I WAS TRYING AS BEST AS I COULD TO GET SOME INTERVIEWS ON THE GROUND AS THEY WERE WALKING THROUGH THE STREETS, BUT I MEAN, THOSE GUYS LOOKED LIKE THEY JUST COMPETED IN A 48-MINUTE GAME.

WHEN THEY GOT DONE WITH THAT PARADE, THEY POURED THEIR HEARTS OUT FOR THIS CITY AND THEIR TEAM ALL SEASON LONG AND THEY FELL LIKE THEY HAD TO DO IT ONE MORE TIME, I THINK.

>> Cassidy: AND THEY'RE STILL DOING IT TODAY.

I HEARD THEY'RE VOLUNTEERING, SEBING CHICKEN.

THESE GUYS REALLY WANT TO BE INVOLVED.

VERY QUICKLY, HOW DIFFICULT IS IT FOR A TEAM TO STAY HUNGRY AFTER THEY'VE WON AN NBA CHAMPIONSHIP?

>> IN GENERAL, I'M SURE IT'S EXCEEDINGLY CHALLENGING, BUT WHAT THE THUNDER HAS TRIED TO DO IS LEAN INTO SOME CORE PSYCHOLOGICAL PRINCIPLES TO PREVENT THAT TYPE OF MENTAL SLIPPAGE.

I THINK I MENTIONED EARLIER THAT ZERO AND ZERO MENTALITY.

THAT UNDERSTANDING GOING INTO EVERY GAME, INTO EVERY QUARTER, INTO EVERY POSSESSION OF THE BASKETBALL GAME, YOU HAVE TO GET YOURSELF BACK TO NEUTRAL AND RECOGNIZE THE OPPORTUNITIES IN FRONT OF YOU AND WHAT YOU CAN DO TO WIN THAT POSSESSION OR THAT QUARTER OR THAT GAME.

THIS TEAM IS GOING TO GO INTO NEXT SEASON WITH THAT SAME ZERO AND ZERO MENTALITY.

THE ONE THAT BROUGHT THEM OUT OF SOME OF THE DEPTHS EARLY ON IN THAT 2020-21 SEASON TO WINNING A CHAMPIONSHIP.

THAT SAME PHILOSOPHY HAS APPLIED AND I THINK THEY RECOGNIZE THAT THEY'RE GOING TO BE STARTING AT ZERO NEXT SEASON JUST LIKE ALL OTHER 29 TEAMS IN THE LEAGUE.

>> Cassidy: AND THAT'S HOW THEY SHOULD THINK ABOUT IT.

THAT'S EXACTLY HOW THEY SHOULD THINK ABOUT IT.

THIS IS MY LAST QUESTION.

AS WE KNOW, OKLAHOMA RANKS NEAR THE BOTTOM IN EDUCATION AND OPPORTUNITY, BUT NOW WE'RE NUMBER ONE.

DO WE THINK THIS WIN CAN HELP CHANGE THE NARRATIVE HERE IN OKLAHOMA?

>> I THINK IT CERTAINLY COULD.

MAYOR HOLT PUT IT WELL DURING THE PARADE, IS THAT WHEN PEOPLE ARE CHANTING OKC, YOU KNOW, THAT ABBREVIATION IS NOW KNOWN WORLDWIDE, AND PEOPLE KNOW THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT OKLAHOMA CITY.

THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT THE THUNDER, AND MAYBE IF THAT CAN BE A CONDUIT FOR MORE GOOD HAPPENING IN THE COMMUNITY, I THINK THAT COULD BE A GREAT THING.

>> Cassidy: JONATHAN, WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> I THINK TO SAY IS THIS IS THING THAT'S GOING TO CHANGE IT, I DON'T THINK SO, BUT IS IT PART OF THE NARRATIVE CHANGING?

I THINK SO.

WHEN YOU SEE ONE ASPECT OF YOUR CITY RISE, ALL THINGS TEND TO RISE.

IS THIS THE THING?

PROBABLY NOT, BUT IS IT PART OF THE NARRATIVE CHANGING, I'M OPTIMISTIC AND I HAVE TO SAY YES.

>> Cassidy: FINAL THOUGHTS.

>> I THINK THIS IS A WONDERFUL THING FOR OUR CITY TO EMBRACE.

THESE GUYS HAVE DEMONSTRATED A LEVEL OF HUMILITY, A LEVEL OF CONNECTION, A LEVEL OF SELFLESSNESS THAT I THINK CAN BE WONDERFUL EXAMPLES TO ALL OF US IN ALL OF OUR WALKS OF LIFE, AND THE WAY THEY WANT TO MAKE THIS THE COMMUNITY'S CHAMPIONSHIP TROPHY AS MUCH AS THEIRS I THINK SENDS A GREAT SIGNAL FOR MAYBE HOW ALL OF US IN OUR LIVES CAN TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT WE'RE DOING, WHAT STRENGTHS WE HAVE AND HOW WE CAN PULL INTO THE COMMUNITY TOO.

>> Cassidy: I DO HAVE ONE LAST FINAL QUESTION.

THE SIDELINE SHENANIGANS, TELL US ABOUT THAT AND THEN WE'LL END IT.

>> I THINK THAT COMES FROM THIS LEVEL OF SELFLESSNESS AND CONNECTION TOO.

THE ORIGINAL GENESIS WAS CHET HOLMGREN WHEN HE FIRST GOT HERE, HIS PARTICULAR BRAND OF LEADERSHIP WAS, I DON'T WANT TO DO ANY INTERVIEWS ON THE COURT AFTER A GAME UNLESS I HAVE A TEAMMATE WITH ME.

IT WAS NOT ABOUT JUST ME IN THAT GAME.

AND SO ONE THING LEADS TO ANOTHER.

WE HAVE A WALK-OFF INTERVIEW WITH AARON WIGGINS WHO EVERYONE HAS COME TO KNOW AND LOVE THE LAST FEW YEARS AND CHET AND JDUB START BACKING AT HIM IN THE BACKGROUND.

ALL THIS HAS BEEN TOTALLY PLAYER-LED AND ORGANIC.

BELIEVE ME OR NOT, I'VE NOT HAD A SINGLE CONVERSATION WITH ANY OF THE PLAYERS ABOUT IT OVER THE COURSE OF TIME, BUT AGAIN, WHAT THEY DO FOR THE LOVE AND THE SUPPORT OF THEIR TEAMMATES GOES SO FAR AND THE FACT THAT THEY'VE SORT OF INCLUDED ME IN THAT SPEAKS SO MUCH TO THEIR CHARACTER AND THE FACT THAT THEY ARE WILLING TO BE KIND TO SOMEONE WHO THEY DON'T OWE A THING TO.

>> Cassidy: GENTLEMEN, THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH FOR JOINING US FOR THIS DISCUSSION.

THANK YOU FOR KEEPING UP WITH THE OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER AND WE'RE EXCITED TO SEE WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN NEXT YEAR.

>> CAN'T WAIT.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING US.

>> Rich: THAT WAS A GREAT CONVERSATION.

>>> IN THIS WEEK'S NATIONAL VIEW, WE'RE GOING TO TAKE YOU TO THE NUTMEG STATE AND LEARN MORE ABOUT THE COPPERHILL EQUESTRIAN VAULTING TEAM.

IMAGINE PERFORMING GYMNASTICS ON THE BACK OF A MOVING HORSE.

THAT STORY COURTESY OF OUR PBS PARTNERS AT CONNECTICUT PUBLIC TELEVISION.

>> WHEN ME AND MY FAMILY FIRST MOVED TO GRANBY, WE WENT TO THE GRANBY OPEN FARM DAY, AND I JUST SAW, LIKE, SEVERAL VAULTING DEMONSTRATIONS, AND I JUST LIKE FELL IN LOVE WITH THE HORSES.

I JUST KNEW THAT, LIKE, I HAD TO BE INVOLVED.

YES, I'VE ALWAYS WANTED TO JUST PERFORM AND, LIKE, BE THE STAR OF THE SHOW.

>> OUR CLOSEST TEAM IS ABOUT TWO AND A HALF TO THREE HOURS AWAY, AND WHEN I FIRST MOVED OUT TO CONNECTICUT, LIKE I CAN'T BELIEVE THERE'S NOT VAULTING ON THE EAST COAST.

SO I ENDED UP, MY HUSBAND WAS VERY NICE AND BOUGHT ME MY FIRST HORSE, AND WE STARTED THE TEAM AND IT HAS BOOMED EVER SINCE THEN.

SO WE BOUGHT THIS PLACE ALMOST TEN YEARS AGO.

WE WERE LOOKING FOR JUST A SMALL BARN TO START UP OUR VAULTING TEAM, AND WE ENDED UP WITH A 40-STALL BARN AND 11-1/2 ACRES, AND WE HAVE A NICE INDOOR AND OUTDOOR ARENA THAT WE GET TO VAULT IN WHENEVER WE WANT.

VAULTING ON A HORSE, WE ACTUALLY DO GYMNASTICS AND DANCE IN HARMONY ON HORSEBACK.

WE LIKE TO START AT THE WALK AND THEN WE BEGIN TROTTING AND WE LOVE TO FINISH AT THE CANTER.

WHEN THE HORSES ARE TROTTING, IT'S NICE AND SMOOTH AND IT'S MORE LIKE A JOG, AND WHEN THEY CANTER, THEY HAVE ONE LEG MORE IN FRONT OF THE OTHER AND THAT'S WHAT WE PREFER TO VAULT AT.

IT'S A MUCH SMOOTHER GAIT THAN THE TROT.

SO WHEN WE FIRST START AFTER THE BARRELS AND WE WARM UP AND STRETCH AND EVERYTHING, ALL THE GIRLS GO DOWN AND TACK ALL THE HORSES WE'RE GOING TO USE THAT DAY AND THEY BRUSH THEM, THEY HUG THEM.

JOE IS ESPECIALLY FOND OF THE SCRATCHES.

HE ALWAYS HAS SCRATCHY SPOTS ON HIS NECK, BUT EVERYONE HAS A SCRATCHY SPOT.

YOU JUST HAVE TO FIND IT.

JOE'S IS JUST ALL OVER HIS WHOLE BODY.

AND THE GIRLS JUST LOVE KISSING THEIR MUZZLES AND JUST HUGGING THEM AROUND THEIR NECKS, AND I JUST THINK IT'S A REALLY COOL THING TO WATCH WHEN THEY FIRST COME IN AND THEY'RE A LITTLE TIMID.

THEY DON'T KNOW WHERE TO GO EXACTLY, AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN, THEY OPEN UP TO THE HORSES AND THEY'RE HUGGING THEM AND IT'S JUST -- I THINK IT'S A REALLY COOL EXPERIENCE FOR THE HORSES AND THE KIDS.

I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT FOR ALL OF US TO CONNECT.

WHAT I THINK ABOUT RACHAEL IS SHE'S AN INCREDIBLE VAULTER.

I THINK SHE'S GOING TO SUPERSEDE ME BY MILES AND MILES, WHICH I'M REALLY EXCITED ABOUT.

>> WELL, WHEN I WAS LITTLE, I DID GYMNASTICS AND HORSEBACK RIDING AT THE SAME TIME AND MY PARENTS SAID THAT I NEEDED TO CHOOSE ONE.

AND I WAS LIKE, WELL, NO.

I'M GONNA DO GYMNASTICS ON A HORSE.

BEFORE COMPETITION, WE GET THE HORSE ALL PRETTY, BATHE THEM, CLIP THEM IF THEY NEED IT.

WE MAKE SURE THEIR MANES AND TAILS ARE BRAIDED AND PUT HOOF OIL ON THEM.

YOU JUST WANT THE HORSE TO LOOK AT PRETTY AS POSSIBLE.

>> OH MAN.

>> YOU WANT TO MAKE YOURSELF AS PRESENTABLE AS POSSIBLE, TOO, SO WE GET ALL GUSSIED UP AND SUPER CUTE AND THERE'S LOT OF HAIR SPRAY AND STICKY BUNS AT THE END.

>> OKAY, BUCKY POO.

>> I THINK WHEN RACHAEL WENT AND STARTED WORKING REALLY, REALLY HARD, I SAW A LOT OF THE OTHER KIDS DO THE SAME THING.

BROOKLYN IS 10 YEARS OLD, SO SHE IS STILL LEARNING A LOT.

>> IT DIDN'T TAKE ME VERY LONG, ACTUALLY.

AS SOON AS I GOT ON MY FIRST DAY, I WAS LIKE, OH, I REALLY ENJOY THIS.

MY TEAMMATES HELP ME A LOT BECAUSE SOMETIMES THEY'LL, LIKE, SPOT ME AND THEY'LL GIVE ME TIPS AND ADVICE.

THEY HELP ME A LOT AND I'M REALLY GRATEFUL FOR THEM.

I REALLY DO IT TO SPEND TIME WITH THE HORSES AND MY TEAMMATES BECAUSE I REALLY FEEL LIKE I JUST LIKE BUILT A COMMUNITY HERE.

THE HORSES, LIKE, THEY DO SO MUCH FOR US.

THEY MAKE SURE THAT WE DON'T LIKE FALL OFF AND THEY'RE JUST REALLY AMAZING.

AND IT'S A REWARD FOR US BECAUSE WE JUST GET TO FEEL LIKE THEIR WARMTH AND THEIR LOVE.

>> Rich: WE'RE GOING TO SAY SO LONG THIS WEEK WITH A LOOK AT THE FARMERS MARKET SUMMER SOLSTICE FESTIVAL IN OKLAHOMA CITY, PUT TOGETHER FOR US BY OETA'S LEGACY COTO.

FOR ALL OF US WHO PLAY A ROLE IN PUTTING THIS NEWSCAST ON THE AIR EACH WEEK, I'M RICH LENZ.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND, AND AGAIN, CONGRATULATIONS TO THE OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER AND THEIR FANS!

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