THIS IS THE SPORTS SPECTRUM PODCAST
WITH JASON ROMANO, FEATURING DR. SEAN MCDOWELL
Dr. Sean McDowell is an author, speaker and associate professor in the Christian apologetics program at the Talbot School of Theology at Biola University (La Mirada, California). He has written or edited more than 20 books, including “Chasing Love” and “The Fate of the Apostles.”
In college, McDowell played college basketball at Biola and was a captain his senior year on a team that went 30-7. Now in 2024, his son, Scott, is a freshman on the same Biola University basketball team.
Today on the podcast, we talk to Dr. Sean McDowell about his love for the 1990s NBA, sports as a platform to facilitate Gospel conversations, his basketball journey, watching his son play, and the importance of engaging in conversations with people who think and believe differently.
Rhett Lashlee in October 2024. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
THIS IS THE SPORTS SPECTRUM PODCAST WITH MATT FORTE, FEATURING RHETT LASHLEE
Rhett Lashlee is the football head coach at SMU. He joined the program in 2022 after serving as an assistant coach for more than a decade with programs like Miami (Florida), Auburn and Connecticut.
In 2018 and 2019, he was SMU’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, before taking the same roles at Miami for 2020 and 2021.
Today on the podcast, Rhett Lashlee shares insights on building a winning culture in college football, navigating the challenges of modern college athletics, leading his team to the College Football Playoff, and the significance of discipleship and community in maintaining spiritual health.
It’s simple, Christ died so that I, an unworthy hypocrite and a sinner, could LIVE. Love in its purest form. The Ultimate Sacrifice. #GoodFridaypic.twitter.com/CxRcWFnRY9
THIS IS THE SPORTS SPECTRUM PODCAST WITH MATT FORTE, FEATURING K.J. OSBORN
K.J. Osborn is a wide receiver in the NFL with the Washington Commanders. He was selected in the fifth round of the 2020 NFL Draft by Minnesota. He spent four seasons with the Vikings (2020-23) before signing with the New England Patriots for 2024 and Washington for 2025.
In today’s conversation, K.J. Osborn shares about his experience as an NFL player, discussing the unique challenges he faces, including mental health issues, financial pressures, and the importance of faith. He recounts a heroic incident where he saved a man from a burning car, reflecting on the impact of that experience on his life and faith.
THIS IS THE SPORTS SPECTRUM PODCAST WITH MATT FORTE, FEATURING AMY LAWRENCE
Amy Lawrence is a pioneer in sports radio, one of the only females to have hosted a daily talk show on a national radio network with ESPN Radio and then with the CBS Sports Radio Network. She is currently doing on-air work with Sirius XM.
Prior to joining CBS in January 2013, Lawrence spent nine years at ESPN Radio, where she was the only regular female host. Previous jobs at local radio stations include Providence, R.I.; Lebanon, N.H.; Rochester, N.Y.; and Oklahoma City, Okla., where she was the first female in state history to pilot her own sports radio talk show.
Today on the podcast, Amy Lawrence shares her insights on the transformative power of prayer, the importance of grace, the significance of being equally yoked in marriage, and beginning the process of adoption. She discusses navigating uncertainty in life and trusting God’s goodness, especially when faced with closed doors.
On what would be Grammy Helen's 103rd birthday, I am honored to jump into a new challenge. She was brave and bold and used humor in every situation. I will do the same. Catch me on @MadDogRadio Channel 82 on @SIRIUSXM from 12-4p ET today!! Love you, Grammy.❤️
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander bows his head before a game, Jan. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)
Before the NBA Finals tip off Thursday in Oklahoma City, a prayer will be given. There are likely to be some said by Thunder and Pacers players in their respective locker rooms before they take the court, and a prayer will likely close out the pregame chapel service that takes place 60 minutes before every NBA game.
But one prayer in particular will be more public than any other, and is only done in Oklahoma City.
Prior to the national anthem that precedes every NBA game at OKC’s Paycom Center, an invocation is given. For about 30 seconds, the public-address microphone is given to a local faith leader who prays over the players, fans and arena at center court.
The prayer has been part of the Thunder’s pregame routine ever since 2008, when the Seattle Supersonics relocated to Oklahoma City and became the Thunder. But the invocation actually started in 2005, when the New Orleans Hornets temporarily played in OKC after Hurricane Katrina tore through their city.
“The fans, who later became our fans, got used to it, appreciated it and we made the decision very quickly to continue that,” Thunder VP of broadcasting and corporate communications Dan Mahoney told The Oklahoman in April. “It definitely fits into the Thunder culture.”
“We feel it’s a reflection of our community,” Mahoney told The Deseret News in 2018. “Our fans have been very receptive to it. We allow that time, and it’s just something that we’ve done since day one and our fans are very fond of it. We appreciate that opportunity.”
Those who are asked to speak are honored. It’s the only known pregame invocation in the NBA.
“I’m grateful that the Thunder makes this a priority at every game,” Life.Church-Midwest City senior pastor Stefan Reed said. “It not only honors God and acknowledges His authority, but also gives the rest of the league a glimpse into who we are and what we represent. I think it speaks volumes to everyone in the arena, including the other team, that our love for people is bigger than the game itself. I hope each prayer reflects our genuine care for people in a real and meaningful way.”
And with the best team in the NBA, the arena is at full capacity every game. The Thunder won a franchise-best 68 regular-season games this season, the fifth-most in NBA history, and the team has gone 12-4 through three rounds of the playoffs. It’s in the Finals for the first time since 2012, still seeking its first championship (though the 1979 Sonics did win the NBA title).
The Thunder are heavily favored to win it all. It needed seven games to take out the Denver Nuggets in the second round, but swept its first-round series over Memphis and beat Minnesota in five games in the Western Conference Finals. According to BetMGM’s odds, the Thunder are the biggest favorites entering the NBA Finals since 2018. Furthermore, the odds say the most likely outcome is the Thunder winning in five games, and next is a Thunder sweep.
A short series would mean only two or three more games at the Paycom Center this season, and thus only two or three more pregame prayers. But regardless of the season’s outcome, they won’t be the last invocations before Thunder games. The tradition won’t be going anywhere anytime soon — and neither are the Thunder, the youngest team in the NBA this season.
