Oklahoma Columnist

Introducing Oklahoma Columnist, a newsletter crafted by Clay Horning that covers topics such as Sports, Politics, and Writing.

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Articles

Lack of engagement spells doom for any team in any sport, as Thunder proved

1 week ago | oklahomacolumnist.com | Clay Horning

The lesson from Thursday night’s abominable showing by the Thunder? Forgive me for this one, but it really is the first thing to pop in my head. The next time you see a college football coach blame a convincing loss against a lesser team on “execution” or the lack of it … that coach is lying. This is a Game 6 column, I promise, but the lesson remains informative because the Thunder walked into Gainbridge Fieldhouse a six-point favorite to win an NBA championship on the Pacers’ home floor.
Made to prevail on another set of terms, Thunder one victory from winning it all

1 week ago | oklahomacolumnist.com | Clay Horning

How many coaches, unprompted, would voluntarily bring up the real reason their team lost the game? At least one, because Indiana skipper Rick Carlisle brought it up Wednesday night following the Thunder’s 120-109 NBA Finals Game 5 victory over the Pacers inside Paycom Center. “Nobody is asking about turnovers,” Carlisle said. “We had 23 turnovers for 32 points. That’s the game.”That, indeed, is one way to look at it.
As Game 3 approaches, so much of how Thunder win goes right through Caruso

2 weeks ago | oklahomacolumnist.com | Clay Horning

Oklahoma City can win so many different ways. Claim 68 regular season games, dominate two of three playoff series on the way to the NBA Finals and it stands to reason. It can win because it boasts the league MVP, because there are nights Shai Gilgeous-Alexander won’t let the Thunder lose. It can win because it plays defense, allowing a league best 106.6 points per 100 opponent possessions during the regular season and 105.2 since the playoffs began.
No need to worry about Thunder

2 weeks ago | oklahomacolumnist.com | Clay Horning

Just so you know, the Thunder are in good company as they approach Game 2 of the NBA Finals Sunday night. Like, some of the greatest players and teams the league’s ever known have dropped the opener only to claim the title and against better teams than Indiana. Perhaps that’s bound to happen a few times over almost 80 years of awarding crowns, and still just an abbreviated list is eye opening.
If it had to end, it couldn't have ended any better for coach Patty Gasso's Sooners

3 weeks ago | oklahomacolumnist.com | Clay Horning

Let it be known the season couldn’t have ended any better for coach Patty Gasso’s Sooners. It could have not ended, sure. Oklahoma could have gone super late at Devon Park. It could have played deep into Monday night and Tuesday morning and all of us could be going on four or five hours of sleep today. It could have, eventually, won a fifth straight national championship. Not that it would have made its coach much happier“This was the most enjoyable season I’ve had in a long time,” Gasso said.
Not Sooner Magic, just who they are

4 weeks ago | oklahomacolumnist.com | Clay Horning

You have to kill them. After Thursday, that’s the lesson. Figuratively, of course. But you have to kill them. “If you’re watching us through the season,” coach Patty Gasso said, “we’re never done.”Maybe that’s why she was smiling like she knew what was about to happen. Ailana Agbayani was standing on second base, having led off the bottom of the seventh with a four-pitch walk, which was not the way Tennessee fireballer Karlyn Pickens meant to begin the frame.
Change afoot, with or without Venables

1 month ago | oklahomacolumnist.com | Clay Horning

As Oklahoma prepares for its second season of SEC football, coach Brent Venables’ future remains a mystery. We know he’ll be his own defensive coordinator, we know he’s made upgrades at both quarterback and offensive coordinator and we think we know it’s some sort of make or break season for him. He doesn’t have to soar, perhaps, but maybe he has to win nine games, or maybe eight or maybe seven to keep his job.
The Supreme Court saves us; Oklahoma Republicans who can't stand each other have rich things to say

1 month ago | oklahomacolumnist.com | Clay Horning

Author’s Note: As spring sports wind down, I’m hoping to write more about state politics, policy and government. I’ve never put those pieces behind paywalls in the past and I’ll never put a majority of them behind them in the future. Still, in an effort to keep Oklahoma Columnist viable, some pieces may be reserved for donators.
When just one win can mean so much

1 month ago | oklahomacolumnist.com | Clay Horning

Excuse me, but I have to check something before we get started …Ah, yes, it’s confirmed. The result stands. Oklahoma really is allowed to win a baseball game like the one it won Tuesday afternoon in Hoover, Alabama, site of the SEC postseason tournament. Had to check because it looked too easy. Had to check because it’s hard to remember a contest like it, though a quick glance at the schedule reveals the Sooners won one similarly … well, does Missouri count?
Week 15 OU Baseball Report: On way to SEC tourney, here's hoping Sooners have hit bottom

1 month ago | oklahomacolumnist.com | Clay Horning

Author’s Note: The postseason upon us, this will be my last weekly Sooner baseball report. That doesn’t mean it’s the last column I’ll write about Oklahoma baseball this season, just that it will be the last one in this format. If you’ve enjoyed them and are not an Oklahoma Columnist paid subscriber, please consider a donation of $6/week or $60/year to help keep this venture going. As always, thanks for reading. Sketchy pitching, bad bats, uncertainty in the field.