Thunder players follow World Wide Leader in sports

Tom Williams \ Thunder Insider

With the NBA and NHL playoffs and Major League Baseball under way and the NFL Draft clock ticking, it’s one of the best sports weeks of the year. Mahoning Valley Thunder players have noticed.

Defensive lineman Frashon McGee is most interested in “the NFL Draft, to see where guys go.”

Defensive back Jamar Landrom says ESPN is one of his favorite channels.

“That’s the first thing I go to when I get home,” Landrom said. “I’m always watching the [NBA] Playoffs. Kobe Bryant is my favorite players so I always look [to ESPN] to see what he does,” Landrom said. “I’m also interested hearing about the [NFL] Draft, how they are rating guys. I look up to those guys because I’m trying to get back to the NFL.”

Landrom has spent time with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Jacksonville Jaguars.

“I look to see what guys in the [NFL] organizations are looking for in a player” to see if his skills are a match.

Defensive end Michael Alston has similar interests.

“First, I have a couple of [friends] coming out of the University of Toledo so I’m looking forward to see where they go in the draft,” said Alston who signed a free-agent contract with the Cleveland Browns after the 2007 draft.

“It’s early for basketball but being from Ohio, I’m a pretty strong Cavs fan,” Alston said. “It’s very exciting to see them doing well.”

Quarterback Blake Powers shares his passion.

“I love the NBA playoffs,” the former Indiana University quarterback said. “Other than college basketball, the NBA playoffs and NFL playoffs are my favorite things.”

Growing up in Kentucky, Powers began rooting for Cleveland’s NBA team in 2003.

“I’m a big LeBron James fan since he was in high school,” Powers said. “I like his style of play. The Cavs definitely have been my favorite team since he got drafted.”

Fortunately for the Thunder marketing department, Game 4 of the Cavs-Pistons series will be Sunday afternoon. However, the NFL Draft will be under way when the Thunder play host to the Tulsa Talons on Saturday at 7:15 p.m. at the Chevrolet Centre.

Adam Tokash, Thunder general manager, said the team will provide draft updates on the Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers during the game.

McGee, who played basketball for Cleveland State, said other sports have to work to get his attention.

“I’m not as into that. I don’t watch too much hockey,” McGee said, but added he saw a television feature on the Washington Capitals’ Alexander Ovechkin and Pittsburgh Penguins’ Sidney Crosby.

“Sid the Kid — he’s pretty good,” McGee said.

Growing up in Iowa, McGee cheered for the Chicago Bulls.

“And I was a Cubs fan, yes the disappointing Cubs,” McGee said.

Chicago was the closest major city to his hometown.

Told this might be the century that the Cubs win another World Series, McGee laughed.

“Hopefully, they do it because it’s been disappointing the past few years when they had good seasons and then get into the playoffs and just go ‘pffft,’ ” McGee said.

Cleveland Indians fans (think 1999, 2001 and 2007) can relate. Pirates fans with distant memories (1990-92) also can identify.

Landrom admits he’s been known to shout encouragement at his TV.

“I get frustrated,” Landrom said. “I even get mad at Kobe sometimes. I want him to do well.”

And, he admits it takes courage to back Bryant when surrounded by James diehards.

“He’s not the most likable guy,” Landrom said. “He’s been considered kind of a sports villain, but he’s gotten his image back.”

XTom Williams is a sportswriter for The Vindicator. Write him at williams@vindy.com.