
In Oklahoma, fall weddings often are planned around the Sooners' and Cowboys' football schedules.
If the happy couple schedules nuptials the day there's a game in Norman or Stillwater, or a nationally televised game, they risk some guests saying, "I think I have plans that day." NBA players and coaches face similar decisions.
Earl Watson will marry this summer. So will Nenad Krstic. Thabo Sefolosha's wife is pregnant with a June 15 due date during the couple's offseason in Switzerland.
In a sport where players work on their games year-round, scheduling an "offseason" wedding isn't fool proof.
Krstic and his finance, Tonya, are getting married in July in Serbia. But they won't be taking an extravagant honeymoon.
"There might not even be a honeymoon because that's when I will be playing with our national team," Krstic said. "Playing for the national team is big for my country."
So why not hold the wedding earlier?
"We wanted to get married in June, but with our church (Serbian Orthodox), you can't get married that month," Krstic said. "It's our tradition, when we celebrate."
Because Krstic will play with the Serbian National Team in July, August and September, then join Thunder teammates in October in Oklahoma City for training camp, will there be a honeymoon?
"Maybe we can do something before we get married," Krstic said, smiling.
Watson plans to be in Mexico later this month to conduct an Emagine Foundation Basketball camp for kids in Playa del Carmen. First, he will get married. Like most NBA players, Watson works on his game almost every day.
"I'll make an exception," Watson said. "I doubt I'll touch a Basketball on my honeymoon. Other than that, I'll be playing almost every day this summer."
Coach Scott Brooks, his wife and two children now live in Oklahoma City year round. Having played 11 NBA seasons, followed by a six-year stint as an assistant, Brooks said NBA coaches' and players' wives and families constantly make sacrifices.
"You can't plan," Brooks said. "It's all occasions. Very rarely do I spend my daughter's birthday with her because that's usually during summer league. My son's birthday is during playoff time. Hopefully, we will one day have to worry about that."