As the Truth sees it…

For the second time in three years, Oklahoma City will face Los Angeles in the NBA playoffs. But unlike two years ago when they were upstart newcomers trying to upset the defending champions, the Thunder are the favorite to win the series easily.
While the team has grown up on the court, the organization has matured also since the last meeting. It now knows how to throw a proper postseason party.
Monday, the Thunder will host L.A. at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Game 1 of Round 2 of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs. Tip off is set for 8:30 p.m. and festivities at Love’s Thunder Alley on Reno Ave. will begin as early as 5:30 p.m.
In Thunder Alley, fans can enjoy the free block party with interactive games, purchase playoff merchandise, visit the Budweiser Beer Garden and enjoy appearances by Thunder entertainment groups.
For fans unable to get tickets, Oklahoma City will broadcast the game live outside the arena for free on the giant BOLT video board. Fans are encouraged to bring their own blankets and seats. Concessions will be offered outside for extended hours to accommodate fans watching the game outdoors.

Oklahoma is pulling out all the stops to bring recognition to its womens’ gymnastics team. A week after its annual Beauty and The Beast meet, the fifth-ranked Sooners are hosting “A Red Carpet Affair” at 7 p.m. Friday in the Lloyd Noble Center.
The Sooners are using the event to support National Wear Red Day and bring awareness to the fight against heart disease.
Oklahoma will be facing No. 9 Nebraska, No. 25 Minnesota and Centenary in the quad meet. The night will also include a red carpet fashion show during the meet. It will include the OU Pom & Cheer squads and local gymnasts.
Several OU alumni, faculty, staff members and community members will be recognized for their support in the fight against heart disease. They include Dr. Royce Bargas, Shannon Hiebert and Cyndi Cleary.
Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for youth (K-12). Free admission for OU students.

Just in time for Christmas, boxing fans will be treated to a gift Thursday night. Lawton native Grady “Bad Boy” Brewer (28-13, 16 KOs) will defend his North American Boxing Federation super middleweight belt at the Cox Conventian Center in Oklahoma City.
Brewer, who will turn 41 the same day as the fight, will face knockout artist Michael Medina (25-3, 19 KOs), from Monterry, Mexico. 
Brewer won the NABF Light Middleweight Title June 17 by TKO in the fourth round over then undefeated Fernando Guerrero. While it was considered an upset by many, he is no stranger to tackling long odds. Brewer won Sylvester Stallone’s The Contender Series broadcast on ESPN to jump start a career that was on life support.
On the undercar, Norman’s Noah Zuhdi (15-2,14 KO’s) is scheduled to defend his Oklahoma Lightweight Championship.
The first bout is set to begin at 7 p.m.
For more information, call 866-966-1777 or go to catboxentertainment.com.
 

Just arrived at the OKC vs. Mavericks game. The Thunder need to think about renaming Chesapeake Energy Arena. Just doesn’t sound as good as Ford Arena or Thunder Dome. Any good ideas for a good nickname?

Below is a statement Joe Paterno released today about his retirement and the sexual abuse scandal covering his football program.
“I am absolutely devastated by
the developments in this case. I grieve for the children and their families,
and I pray for their comfort and relief.
I have come to work every day for the last 61 years with one clear goal in
mind: To serve the best interests of this university and the young men who have
been entrusted to my care. I have the same goal today.
That’s why I have decided to announce my retirement effective at the end of
this season. At this moment the Board of Trustees should not spend a single
minute discussing my status. They have far more important matters to address. I
want to make this as easy for them as I possibly can.
This is a tragedy. It is one of the great sorrows of my life. With the benefit
of hindsight, I wish I had done more.
My goals now are to keep my commitments to my players and staff and finish the
season with dignity and determination. And then I will spend the rest of my
life doing everything I can to help this University.”

Saturday will be a busy day around the University of Oklahoma for football fans. Besides the 2:30 p.m. game against Texas A&M, Sooners will have their hands full.
Oklahoma will unveil a statue of the man who set the record for most victories by a Sooner football coach when it honors Barry Switzer prior to the OU-Texas A&M game this Saturday.  Switzer will be the third coach so recognized after statues of Bennie Owen and Bud Wilkinson were unveiled last season.
The ceremony will begin at 12:30 p.m., east of the Barry Switzer Center and near the Owen and Wilkinson statues.
Oklahoma President David L. Boren and Athletics Director Joe Castiglione are scheduled to speak at the event. Several of Switzer’s former assistant coaches and players are also expected to attend. Interim Big 12 Conference Commissioner Chuck Neinas will introduce Switzer.
Down the street from Memorial stadium, The Allstate Tailgate Tour, a unique and interactive fan experience visiting college football stadiums across the country, is taking place at Niemann Field on the corner of Jenkins Avenue and 3rd Street.
Fans will have the opportunity to enter the “Allstate 60 Seconds of Mayhem Sweepstakes” for a chance to win a trip to the 2012 Allstate BCS National Championship in New Orleans and a 2012 Buick Regal GS. During halftime of the Championship game, the finalist will also have a chance to kick a field goal to win an RV, boat, motorcycle and a $30,000 home makeover.
The Allstate Tailgate Tour features a variety of family-friendly activities, including the College Football Legacy Museum, a hands-on, retrospective look at the history of college football and the Allstate Sugar Bowl. Fans can take pictures of themselves with the legendary Allstate Field Goal Net or create special signs in support of the Sooners.
The tour opens at 10:30 a.m. runs until kick-off at 2:30 p.m.

The US Fleet Tracking Basketball Invitational hosted by Kevin Durant announced five of the top 11 scorers from the 2010-11 NBA season as participants in the Invitational on Sunday, Oct. 23, with many more additions expected throughout the week leading up to the game. Scheduled to appear in the game are seven former NBA All-Stars as LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul, Amar’e Stoudemire, Russell Westbrook and Blake Griffin will join Durant on the court of the Cox Convention Center.
John Wall, Jeff Green and Rudy Gay will also be playing. The game pits Team Durant versus Team Griffin for a battle for Mr. Basketball in Oklahoma. In total, the seven former All-Stars have played in a combined 24 NBA All-Star games.
Tickets go on sale at noon Monday, Oct. 17.  A portion of ticket proceeds and auctioned jersey sales will benefit non-profit groups that will be selected by Durant and Griffin.

The University of Oklahoma men’s tennis program will host the inaugural OU Invitational from Friday, Oct. 14, through Sunday, Oct. 16., at the Headington Family Tennis Center. Tournament play opens with singles action set to begin at 9 a.m.
Approximately 32 collegiate tennis standouts from Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Tulsa, Nebraska and Arkansas will compete in Norman this weekend. The event is free to the public.

The Cox Convention Center Arena in downtown Oklahoma City will be the site for the USFleetTracking Basketball Invitational scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 23, at 6 p.m.  NBA All-Stars Kevin Durant and Blake Griffin will headline the event.  The remainder of the game roster will be announced in the coming days.
Oklahoma City-based Sold Out Strategies, owned and operated by local sports executives Brad Lund and DeBray Ayala, will serve as the “promoter of record” for the game.  Sold Out Strategies recently hosted the Oklahoma Energy Tennis Classic Sept. 25 at the Cox Center.  Former NBA veteran and Oklahoma City resident Desmond Mason will serve as Sold Out Strategies’ director of basketball operations for the Invitational.
Tickets, starting at $29, go on sale Monday, Oct. 17, at noon and can be purchased through coxconventioncenter.com, the Cox Center Box Office, participating Homeland stores or by calling 1-800-745-3000.  A portion of ticket proceeds will benefit non-profit groups selected by the players.

ESPN GameDay
ESPN has chosen the Red River Rivalry as its spotlight game of the weekend. Its College GameDay crew will be on site at Fair Park for its pre-game show. The broadcast begins on ESPNU at 8 a.m. before moving to ESPN at 9 a.m.
For fans who want to be part of the bradcast, the set will be located across from the Texas Hall of State on the fairgrounds before it moves inside the Cotton Bowl for the final 30 minutes of the broadcast.
Saturday will mark the 27th time GameDay has been on site for an OU game.