Addam M. Francisco, MLS

Shai Previews New White Colorway Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is pulling off the impossible: MVP-level game, NBA champion pedigree, best point guard in the league, and the biggest fashion icon — all at once. He doubled down on that claim today, previewing what looks to be his next Shai 001 colorway: an all-white stunner that turned heads before he even touched the floor. I caught the moment by the back door of the interview room.

My blurb about Shai previewing what appears to be his next colorway of his signature shoe, continuing the momentum from last season.

It’s Dub’s Turn: Jalen Williams and the Thunder’s Next Leap Jalen Williams isn’t just a sidekick anymore. His third season mirrored the same steps Shai Gilgeous-Alexander took before his MVP leap: All-Star, All-NBA, All-Defense, and a growing off-court prof…

Jalen Williams followed Shai's blueprint last season with an All-Star nod, All-NBA and All-Defense honors, plus a growing off-court presence.

As he enters his fourth season, the question is whether it’s Dub’s turn to take the leap. I think so.

thesuavereport.com/2025/09/25/i...

From Almost Retired to Tampa Bay’s X-Factor: Shepard Shines Sterling Shepard contemplated retirement before signing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the 2024 campaign. Between injuries, life’s circumstances, and already having a fruitful eight-year career, retirement seemed like a realistic option for the Oklahoma City native. But everything changed when “Shep” got the call from his college quarterback, Baker Mayfield, about teaming back up. Long story short, Shep delayed full-on dad mode and mornings on the golf course to lace ’em up again.

From nearly retiring and going full dad mode to making clutch catches for the Bucs, Sterling Shepard’s second act is proving impactful.

James Woodard moves back to Germany to suit up for Baskets Oldenburg Arcadia, Oklahoma native James Woodard is headed back to Germany to play for Oldenburg.

Arcadia, Oklahoma native and former @TUMBasketball star James Woodard is headed back to Germany to play for Oldenburg.

Read our story on Woodard building on his fruitful overseas career.

Is McLaughlin-Levrone the most dominant athlete in sports? Her dominance in Tokyo poses the question Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone just did something that reminds us why she’s in her own lane, literally and figuratively.

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone’s absolute dominance every time she steps on the track raises one question: is she the most dominant athlete in sports?

Langston’s Marching Pride is Ready to Dominate the National Stage With grueling rehearsals, a diverse group and nerves that sharpen focus, the Pride is set to carry its sound and its culture onto the biggest stages .

From “no audience appetite” to the Pepsi Battle of the Bands this weekend, and halftime of the Chiefs-Eagles game, Langston’s band is turning nerves into perfection.

My story:

2025-26 Schedule Release: Top 10 Nationally Televised Thunder Games Just eight weeks after hoisting the Larry O’Brien Trophy, the Oklahoma City Thunder now have their eyes on a fresh slate of games for the 2025-26 season — one that includes a massive Opening Night matchup to relaunch “NBA on NBC” after a 23-year break, an ESPN debut on the network’s opening night, plus marquee showdowns on Christmas Day and Martin Luther King Jr.

I know the Oklahoma City Thunder are the defending champs, but it’s still wild to think they’ll be the most nationally televised team in the league this season.

I narrowed it down to the 10 must-see nationally televised games for you here:

A New Era: First Look at OKC’s Future Arena Oklahoma City’s vision for the future became a little more real on Wednesday. For the first time, the public got a glimpse of what the new downtown arena — future home of the NBA champion Thunder — is expected to look like. Mayor David Holt revealed the renderings during his annual State of the City address, joined by architect David Manica, who walked the crowd through the early conceptual design for the $900 million venue.

My story on the first glimpse of OKC's new arena, slated to open it's doors for the 2028-29 season.

Check it out:

Topic, Mitchell and Barnhizer take the lead in OKC’s Summer League debut The NBA Champion Oklahoma City Thunder kicked off their 2025 Summer League campaign in familiar fashion, opening the first leg in Salt Lake City, Utah.

The Thunder are set for the foreseeable future and don’t need much in terms of roster additions—but there are a few things that Thunder fans, this writer, and likely Sam Presti wanted to see.

How'd Ajay, Nikola and Brooks play?

Article from Summer League game No.1:

The Historic Last Week of Thunder Basketball from Suave’s Perspective “I thought about that little kid—the one who dreamed of moments like this,” said Sorber, braces flashing after being drafted by OKC. “And my family too.” At just 19, Sorber already embodies the Thunder’s values: humility, work ethic, and culture fit—on and off the court.

Took a different approach to this one, documenting the last week of Thunder basketball, from the perspective of...well, me.

Check it out:

Getting to know Thomas Sorber from Georgetown Thomas Sorber’s story runs deeper than basketball.

Getting to know Thomas Sorber, the Liberian kid from Philly who just became the newest addition to the NBA Champion Oklahoma City Thunder.

How the Thunder Rewrote the NBA’s Championship Blueprint Through patience, culture, and cold-blooded execution, OKC proved that small-market greatness isn’t a myth. This is how a team forged through loyalty and vision became NBA champions.

After years of heartbreak, a rebuild, and an uncommon approach, the Thunder are NBA champions.

A small-market team just changed the narrative around the NBA.

My story:

From Opposite Sides of OKC to Behind the Booth: The Rise of Face2Face Face2Face isn’t just spinning tracks—they’re building culture, creating community, and making sure everyone feels the beat. From themed nights to their Juneteenth event, here’s how they’re flipping the script in OKC.

Two DJs from two sides of OKC. One duo redefining the city’s sound.

From Afrobeat to trap, house to R&B—Face2Face is more than a vibe, it’s a movement.

Their Juneteenth event? A celebration and a statement.

My story:

OKC Secures Long-Term Future With Thunder Through 2053 Oklahoma City just delivered on one of its biggest promises yet — keeping the Thunder home for the long haul. After two years of conversations, planning, and a massive show of public support, Mayor David Holt announced that the Thunder and the City have officially signed a new lease agreement that keeps the team in OKC through at least 2053. The 115-page “arena use license agreement” locks in the Thunder’s commitment to play in the city’s forthcoming downtown arena for the next 25 years, with financial penalties exceeding $1 billion if they leave early.

Story on OKC Securing Long-Term Future With Thunder Through 2053

Cool, Calm and Collected: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Saves OKC’s Season The energy permeated through Gainbridge Fieldhouse, with the Pacers faithful still riding the momentum of Indiana’s Game 3 victory. As usual, all nine Pacers who saw the court echoed that intensity. But with OKC’s backs against the wall, the Most Valuable Player stepped up, lifting his team over the Pacers, 111-103, with late-game heroics.

OKC looked flat. Indy had the juice.

Then the MVP reminded everyone who he is.

SGA’s late takeover and a gritty team effort even the series, 2-2. The Thunder are alive, and headed back home.

My story:

From Ayiti to the NBA Finals: The Rise of Two Haitians from Montreal Somewhere between the rhythm of kompa and the brisk Montreal winters, two kids—born in Canada with Haitian roots—were molding a dream neither could fully explain yet. Now, Lu Dort and Bennedict Mathurin are making history—not just by playing in the NBA Finals, but by representing something bigger than basketball. Not only are they the first Montreal-born players to share an NBA Finals court, they’re also the first Haitians to do it.

Two sons of Ayiti. One monumental moment.

Lu Dort and Bennedict Mathurin aren’t just hooping—they’re making history for Haiti.

Check out my feature:

Uncommon and Unbothered: The Thunder’s Blueprint for Sustained Dominance This isn’t a feel-good playoff run. It’s the start of something bigger. The Thunder aren’t just back in the NBA Finals—they’ve arrived as the league’s new standard. Built through vision, patience, and ruthless execution, OKC is showing the rest of the league what the next dynasty looks like: deep, defensive, and dead serious.

The Thunder aren't chasing trends—they are the trend.

OKC is rewriting what modern team-building looks like: deep, disciplined, and deadly.

I wrote about it and would love if you checked it out:

Making it look effortless: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the MVP Some guys win MVP by forcing the narrative. Others chase the stat lines. But every now and then, a player comes along who does it with such aura, style, and control that it feels inevitable. That’s been Shai Gilgeous-Alexander but now, the accolades accompany it all.

Some guys win MVP by forcing the narrative. Others chase the stat lines. But every now and then, a player comes along who does it with such aura, style, and control that it feels inevitable.

That’s beenSGA but now, the accolades accompany it all.

Thunder Bringing the Noice with Free “Loud City Live” Watch Parties at Paycom Center The Thunder are taking the road games home. For the Western Conference Finals, Paycom Center is opening its doors for Loud City Live — a free watch party series where the Loud & Loyal can pack the arena and bring that OKC energy while watching the game on the big screen. Fans will get the full game-night experience: rally towels, Rumble, the Thunder Girls, Thunder Drummers, O’City Crew, Storm Chasers, a live DJ, face painting, photo ops — all of it.

Thunder Bringing the Noice with Free "Loud City Live" Watch Parties at Paycom Center

The series that made them grow up: How OKC battled and beat Denver The series that made them grow up. OKC didn’t just beat Denver—they took a leap. Through adversity, late-game chaos, and some real soul-searching, the Thunder found something deeper.

The series that made them grow up.

OKC didn’t just beat Denver—they took a leap. Through adversity, late-game chaos, and some real soul-searching, the Thunder found something deeper.

Full breakdown:
thesuavereport.com/2025/05/18/t...

Rating Every NFL Teams 2025 Schedule Release Video Finally, after several months of waiting, the NFL schedule has finally been released. With that, comes schedule release videos. A fun video created by every team to get fans excited for the upcoming season. Some of the videos are great, others not so much. I haven’t seen any of the videos prior to writing this but here is what I am basing my rankings off of.

Rating Every NFL Teams 2025 Schedule Release Video

Depth Check: Thunder’s Supporting Cast Flips the Script in Game 4 With the series tied 2-2, OKC’s role guys finally showed up — and they showed out. Cason Wallace sparked the fourth, Wiggins steadied the third, and Caruso did Caruso things all game.

Depth was the talk. And in this series? It's been the most important attribute. Game 4 in Denver proved that.

My story:

Russell Westbrook Launches AI Startup Eazewell to Ease Funeral Planning Burdens Russell Westbrook has never been one to shy away from tough moments—and now he’s bringing that mindset off the court and into one of life’s hardest conversations: death. The NBA All-Star and current Denver Nuggets guard has launched Eazewell, a tech startup designed to take the stress and confusion out of funeral planning through the use of artificial intelligence. Westbrook co-founded the company with longtime friend…

Story on Russell Westbrook's new AI-generated funeral planning service.

Oklahoma City’s Sam Presti named 2024-25 NBA Executive of the Year Oklahoma City Thunder General Manager Sam Presti was named the 2024-25 NBA Executive of the Year on Tuesday morning. The award, which recognizes the league’s top front-office architect, highlights Presti’s ability to construct a roster that finished with a league-best 68-14 record—tied for the sixth-best mark in NBA history. During Presti’s 17-year tenure in Oklahoma City, the Thunder have reached the playoffs 12 times, captured seven Northwest Division titles, earned one Western Conference championship and made one NBA Finals appearance.

Oklahoma City’s Sam Presti named 2024-25 NBA Executive of the Year

Clippers’ Depth and Experience Will Test Thunder’s Role Players The Clippers are healthy, dangerous, and a sneaky obstacle to derail OKC's title hopes. But OKC's youth, depth, and hunger to rewrite last year’s playoff narrative may be the edge they need.

There’s been time to think…
Who would OKC rather face: Clippers or Nuggets?

Denver’s the easier path, no doubt. But L.A. might bring out the best in the Thunder — especially after last year’s heartbreak.

OKC vs. LAC?
It’s about redemption for J-Dub and the role guys.

OKC’s Wave of Defenders Swept Memphis Out of Playoffs OKC didn’t just beat Memphis — they ran them off the floor. Even with Shai off his game, Lu Dort, Alex Caruso and Cason Wallace made life hell for the Grizzlies.

Alex Caruso is the vet leader. The meticulous one.

Lu Dort is the expert, the brute, the Matchup Man.

Cason Wallace is the youngin', full of energy and crazy athletic.

Together, these three caused hell against Memphis and I wrote briefly about it.

Memphis scored 40 points in that opening quarter, only the fourth 40-point first quarter the Thunder have given up all season.

MEM 40 | OKC 28

- SGA: 12 PTS
- J Dub: 8 PTS, 2 REB
- Joe: 5 PTS

JDub x ECKŌ UNLTD.: Full Circle Fashion Moment for One of the League’s Freshest Faces Jalen Williams has made his name known on the hardwood—helping lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to the top seed in the Western Conference and earning his first NBA All-Star nod in just his third year. But it’s his off-court presence that’s turning just as many heads, and now, it’s getting the streetwear stamp to match. On Wednesday, ECKŌ UNLTD., one of the most influential brands in early 2000s fashion, announced JDub as its newest brand ambassador and collaborator for an upcoming Holiday ‘25 capsule.

“Seeing Method Man or Ghostface Killah in those old ECKŌ ads? That always stuck with me,” said Williams. “I didn’t realize how much I was wearing it growing up—but now, I get to create something new with the brand I looked up to.”

My story on Dub's love for ECKŌ finally becoming profitable:

Second largest behind the Lakers.

The Thunder DOMINATE home court, outscoring Memphis +70 in two games, taking a 2-0 lead over the Grizzlies in the series.

OKC 118 | MEM 99

- SGA: 27 PTS, 8 REB, 5 AST, 2 STL
- J Dub: 24 PTS, 6 REB, 4 AST
- Holmgren: 20 PTS, 11 REB, 5 BLK
- Caruso: 13 PTS, 4 REB, 3 AST, 3 STL