Tom Friend

NBA/Feature writer at Sports Business Journal; DC native; Mizzou, ESPN, WaPo, NY Times, LA Times alum; 3-Time Emmy-Nominated Writer, Author, Director, Producer

[Tom Friend @TomFriendWriter]

The loud and silent journey of Dick Vitale. My feature for @SBJ:

https://t.co/KS3FJYsE7n

[Sports Business Journal @SBJ]

The Thunder’s playoff T-shirt tradition has reached 79 straight playoff games (and counting) games and counting 🏀

What started in 2010 with 18K shirts has grown into a low six-figure ritual that could surpass 1.5M shirts printed if Oklahoma City reaches this year’s NBA Finals.

MORE: https://t.co/Io5r1LTw3I

[Tom Friend @TomFriendWriter]

The story behind what @davidfholt is saying here. About the shirt…

https://t.co/SzK8xyZEUi

[Mayor David Holt @davidfholt]

Gameday. This shirt you will wear. This chair you will not use. It is Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals.

For only the second time in NBA history, both teams facing each other in a Game 7 have at least 62 wins. This heavyweight series has reached its final chapter. And though only the players get to touch the basketball, our fans in the arena tonight in downtown OKC will help determine the outcome.

In the playoffs this year and last, the Thunder are 17-3 at home and 10-7 on the road. At home or on the road, it’s the same players, the same coaches, the same basketballs, but the results are quite different. The difference is you.

Tonight, if you’re in the arena, you will give it everything you have for 48 minutes. By the end, you should be as exhausted as the players. You must always remember that it is a privilege and an obligation to be in that arena tonight. You are not a mere spectator. You are carrying the cheers and the hopes of millions of Thunder fans watching on TV across Oklahoma City and the world. You are there tonight to claim sports immortality on behalf of Thunder fans everywhere.

To the fans in the arena tonight - Arrive early. No sitting except in timeouts. Get back for the start of the third quarter. Give it everything you’ve got for all 48.

To the fans in their living rooms or bars and watching across Oklahoma City and the world - We can hear you, too. We’re all In this together.

It’s Game 7. Thunder Up.

[Tom Friend @TomFriendWriter]

@seeratsohi Nicely done.

[Tom Friend @TomFriendWriter]

@Washington_Wire Best running back not named OJ from 1969 thru 1973. League MVP in ‘72. Defenses loaded box and mostly still couldn’t stop him. Over the Hill Gang might’ve truly been over the hill without him. Hall of Famer.

[Tom Friend @TomFriendWriter]

@HawkEmDownChris Archie Clark

[Tom Friend @TomFriendWriter]

@MiaWinston_ Frank Howard and Sonny Jurgensen—a tie.

[Tom Friend @TomFriendWriter]

@Super70sSports @abathrowbacks ‘75 Bullets would’ve beaten ‘em. NBA Finals that year were a fluke. Elvin Hayes and Wes Unseld handle Gilmore and Issel. Ex-ABA Jimmy Jones was out injured against Golden State. But the starting 5 of Big E, Wes, Chenier, Kevin Porter and Mike Riordan won 60 games that year.

[Tom Friend @TomFriendWriter]

Check out the Paul Allen anecdote: the original Fire players weren’t allowed to look him in the eye. 👀

[Sports Business Journal @SBJ]

From a defunct team in 2002 to a record-breaking crowd in 2026, Portland's @firewnba comeback is a tribute to the city embracing its "weird."

@tomfriendwriter takes a look at the decades-long journey back to the WNBA: https://t.co/tVjALjx6Kf

[Tom Friend @TomFriendWriter]

Portland has a women’s basketball story that goes back about 50 years. In other words, the Portland Fire is hardly an overnight sensation. It goes alllll the way back to the Bill Walton Blazers. @dwightjaynes @theportlandfire My story @SBJ:

https://t.co/iLGZ71jW5C

[Tom Friend @TomFriendWriter]

A must-have. Pre-order. Coming in September…

[Tom Friend @TomFriendWriter]

@LJ314pi Will Dawkins and Michael Winger learned at the foot of Sam Presti, who taught them to be secretive and mysterious. They aren’t sending out signals; they’re bringing in intel.

[Tom Friend @TomFriendWriter]

@sdutKevinAcee Bat Manny, Merrill and Tatis 7-8-9

[Tom Friend @TomFriendWriter]

Irony alert: Kenny Smith eliminated Charles that day.

[Tom Friend @TomFriendWriter]

Breaking: Fubo has revoked its offers to the former Fan Duel NBA teams—meaning teams like the Hornets, Cavs, Pacers, Clippers, Grizzlies, Heat, Bucks, T-Wolves, Thunder, Magic and Spurs have one less TV option next season. Wild industry just got wilder. https://t.co/R4L0FYsdRR

[Tom Friend @TomFriendWriter]

@NickiJhabvala @MarkMaske Nailed it @kevinsheehanDC

[Ben Standig @BenStandig]

GM Will Dawkins, speaking on ESPN's NBA Combine coverage, said the Wizards interviewed A.J. Dybantsa today. Has known his fellow Massachusetts native/AJD's family since the kid was 14.

"This guy has a charisma to him. He's got a confidence to him. He's been able to do it every level that he's stepped at, increase his play. When you talk about basketball, he can score it, can defend, he's long, can make plays for others. He's a high-level talent. We have the opportunity to -- we'll take a look at him. Get to know him a little more ... A true talent at the top of the draft."

[WizardsMuse @WizardsMuse1]

After winning the lottery, Wiz president Michael Winger gave up a thumbs up, looked at a picture of his family, wrote the lottery's winning numbers and "Fuck yeah!"

Sam Presti also told Winger "You guys worked your ass off for this and I'm so happy for you" (Via @NotoriousOHM)

[Pacers Sports & Entertainment @PacersSportsEnt]

PS&E President and CEO Mel Raines returned to her alma mater to deliver the @IUBloomington undergraduate commencement address this past weekend at Memorial Stadium. Drawing from lessons learned throughout her career journey, Mel encouraged graduates to embrace setbacks, stay resilient and continue showing up, even on the hardest days. "It's the mess that matters. It's how you come back from your worst days that predicts future success."

[Friar_Bolt⚡️🤎💛 @FriarBoltSports]

Crazy how much this has changed over the last decade

[Tom Friend @TomFriendWriter]

With the Wizards winning the lottery this year as opposed to winning games, it should be noted that the No. 1 overall pick won’t be walking into a poor house. The organization spent 3 years preparing for this moment: My story @SBJ from last month: https://t.co/2BDovC5RwF