They can't always explain why they like it. They just do.
"I don't know what it is,” said Kasey Moody, a 23-year-old Duncan resident. "It just looks good.”
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It is the color scheme that's gaining steam for the uniforms of Oklahoma City's prospective NBA franchise — black and gold.
With The Oklahoman's NBA Team Name Contest now whittled down to the Final Four nicknames — Thunderbirds, Barons, Outlaws and Thunder — opinions still vary on what the team should be called. But some, like Moody, are among a growing segment who thinks black and gold could work as the team colors no matter the nickname or mascot.
"It's just different,” said Moody, who designed the black and gold "Oklahoma City Barons” jerseys that appeared on the cover of The Oklahoman's sports section on April 14 as one of hundreds of reader-designed jersey submissions.
But unlike the Pittsburgh Steelers, whose team colors are athletic gold and black, the color scheme used for the popular Barons design is varsity gold and black, closer to the shade found in Notre Dame and George Washington's school colors.
The Washington Wizards in 2006 unveiled an alternate set of road jerseys with a similar scheme, with gold as the primary color for the jerseys and black being the dominant color on the shorts. It's unclear how the NBA regulates the selection of team colors that would be similar to other franchises in the league. An NBA spokesman couldn't confirm the league's policy Monday.
But perhaps the best thing about black and gold in Oklahoma is that it isn't crimson and cream or orange and black.
"I actually started out with red, white and silver,” said Moody of his design. "But then I decided I didn't want to include any colors from OU or OSU. I thought both fan bases might like something different. And I didn't want to upset any Oklahoma State fans.”
Moody, an OU fan who works at Territory Golf & Country Club and dabbles as a graphic designer for fun in his spare time, said he posted his design on message boards and was taken aback by the overwhelming positive responses he received.
"At first I liked (the colors), but I didn't know how well other people would or what they would think about that,” said Moody, who wanted his design to reflect a western feel. "I can't believe how many e-mails I've gotten from people who said they love black and gold. It's been pretty cool.”
Mike McGinnis, 67, of Norman, is the regional sales manager for Iowa-based DeLong Sportswear. McGinnis submitted a similar jersey design to The Oklahoman but with the team name Oilers.
"The reason I (chose black and gold) is because I named the team the Oilers, which is black gold,” McGinnis said. "So I thought that was appropriate colors if they're named anything relating to the energy industry. I just think they look good together.”
No matter the team name, McGinnis said.
"Absolutely,” he said. "I don't think that'd be a problem at all. Just the look of black and gold is good no matter what the mascot is. I just think it's pleasing to the eye. Aesthetically, it's pleasant to look at.”
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The biggest story in Okie for the entire year is about a woman having sex with dogs ! Bigger than the dunder, bigger than Stipe and crew....a woman and dogs is the top headline ! Only in Okie !!!
I like the name Barons, I mean there are going to be naysayers but in the end those same people are going to buy the jersey and merchandise. Who is the person biting on the Oklahoma Boomers thread? Must of seen that posted in another column.
Yeah Barons is weak! Plus it makes it look like a team that only caters to rich oil men. Red, White and Black and call them the Oklahoma City Tomahawks! Wouldn't the scalpers have a fun time with that one!
Granted I am up here, but black and gold is all over the place as the b-strd child CU. I hope they do not go that route. Anyone realize the Thunderbirds are also the Air Force's demonstration team and copyright issues (they have been around since 1953) may exist with them as well?
T, You may think you own them but the SCOTUS has ruled many times that claiming domain names without a viable product of said name, and for the sole purpose of extorting potential, legitimate users is tantamount to piracy and illegal. Good luck with your attempt at getting rich off of others. Now go get a job.
I like the name Marshals and I like the Copperheads. Whatever they decide there will be some wiseacre saying, "that's awful" or something bad. But no matter was is selected, it won't be any worse than Pacers, Clippers, Heat, Nets, Nuggets and Knicks. Good grief.
Moody is quoted in the story as saying "But then I decided I didn't want to include any colors from OU or OSU." Maybe I'm wrong or maybe they've changed their colors but I thought osu's colors were orange and black. Now if you want to be fair and use one of osu's colors maybe you should use one of OU's also. How about black and crimson. Doesn't sound very good to me. Why should OU or osu's colors have anything to do with it anyway? Black and Gold sound OK to me. I like the name Thunderbirds. I served in the 45th in 1956 before I went into to the army and again in 59,60 & 61 after I got out of the army. I also have family that served in war time in the 45th. It's a proud name and has a lot of history in Oklahoma. Now that's one this the team will not have for some time is history. Give them some to start with.
You Bostonians are about the biggest snobs in the US. No wonder Yankee fans hate you so much. If the NBA abided by your logic, there would not be teams in Salt Lake City or Portland, either, so just shutup and keep your posts to the online Globe.
i say since they are already set on red white and blue, bring the 89ers name back, it could be a retro throwback looking home white jersey, and a gray road uniform, better than the thunder, and thunderbirds.
Hey Danny have you ever been to Boston? If you did, you would know that it isn't only drunk Irish. Bob's right. A basketball team in OKC? You're kidding, right? My cousins live in OKC and they even think it's a joke. And by the way, no one uses the word "chowderhead" in Boston.
i voted for 'thunder' originally but i also like 'oilers' and 'thunderbirds'for the name of the nba team. i live in florida now but i am a sooner thru and thru....
Yeah say! I vote for Red, Black and White uniforms! Now it took me a lot of tries but I finally came up with the name for our team! You ready? This is going to be great! Hold on now! Oklahoma City Tomahawks!!! Yep! Imagine all the fans in the stands with Tomahawks like at Braves games! Sounds great too, doesn't it!
Bob in Boston,
What a chowderhead you are. You've never been to Oklahoma and probably never been outside a stinking drunk Irish bar in South Boston.
I've been to Boston and the worst thing about Boston is the people of Boston. Most of them are idiot drunks who do two things -- drink and fight.
Tell the truth, Bob..have you ever been west of the Mississippi River?
Besides flying to Vegas for some drunken weekend?!
Roughnecks is way too close to Rednecks. The association would be too easy for those outside Oklahoma who have this preconceived notion about the state anyway.
Thunderbirds would pay homage to our Native American heritage. I always thought that black and turguoise would look great together.
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Like many, graphic artist Kasey Moody envisions Oklahoma City's NBA team to sport a black and gold color scheme. Moody already has Sonics Rookie of the Year winner Kevin Durant, pictured above, wearing a uniform Moody designed. Associated press photo; illustration by Kasey Moody
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No they don't.
What a chowderhead you are. You've never been to Oklahoma and probably never been outside a stinking drunk Irish bar in South Boston.
I've been to Boston and the worst thing about Boston is the people of Boston. Most of them are idiot drunks who do two things -- drink and fight.
Tell the truth, Bob..have you ever been west of the Mississippi River?
Besides flying to Vegas for some drunken weekend?!
Thunderbirds would pay homage to our Native American heritage. I always thought that black and turguoise would look great together.