It is officially game week and the Thunder Guys couldn’t be more excited. We will be bringing more coverage on Thunder games than ever this season. With only four days until tip-off, let’s take a look at “Mr. Thunder”, Nick Collison.
Nick Collison is the definition of loyalty. He is the only remaining original member of the Oklahoma City Thunder. Collison came to OKC in 2008 when the Seattle SuperSonics decided to relocate, and has decided to finish his career with the Thunder. This is the reason he is known as “Mr. Thunder”.
Nicky C started his career in college at Kansas. He played all four years of his eligibility there, and was quite successful during his time. He was named to the All Big 12 First Team on two different occasions, as well as winning the Big 12 Player of the Year award in 2003. He led his team all the way to the National Championship, but lost to Carmelo Anthony and Syracuse. His jersey was retired by Kansas the following season.
Collison was drafted by the Seattle SuperSonics in 2003 with the 12th overall pick in the draft. He was forced to sit out his first year in the NBA due to shoulder injuries. The following season counted as his rookie year. He played all 82 games and averaged 5.6 points. He played a total of four seasons (he sat out one) in Seattle before the team relocated to Oklahoma City in 2008.
He has accepted his role in the NBA as a back up player, and he has thrived there. Collison has always given solid minutes off the bench. His high basketball IQ makes him a valuable asset to have in both practice and on the bench. He switched to the power forward position during 2012 season and helped lead Oklahoma City to the NBA finals.
Although his production on the court has decreased over the years, his value to this team certainly has not. He signed a two year extension in 2015, and then signed a one year deal in July of this year. Nicky C has made it clear that he plans to retire after this season.
He brings great chemistry to this team. You can’t put a number on the value of his experience. In every way, Nick Collison is exactly what the Thunder organization wants to be. As we enter his final season, it will be interesting to see the type of role he takes.
He certainly won’t play very many minutes this season. I think he will take the role of a “player-coach”. His knowledge of the game will be valuable to the young guys on the roster. Oklahoma City and the Thunder organization will forever be thankful for what he has done for this organization. He’s a pretty solid guy, not to mention he has the best hair in the NBA.
Article written by Craig Hofeld. Follow @TheThunderGuys on Twitter and Instagram.