Well, this is it. This is the day for everyone that gave a crap about the Seattle SuperSonics to start rooting for the Blazers.
Clay Bennett and King Stern have officially taken our team. The OKC Thunder will replace the Supes as the last-place team in the Northwest division for 2008.
It sickens me how Clay Bennett lies to everyone in Seattle to our faces, and now he turns around and is viewed as a hero. This guy is a jerk on so many levels.
It sickens me how Clay Bennett lies to everyone in Seattle to our faces, and now he turns around and is viewed as a hero. This guy is a jerk on so many levels.
- B/R Ticket Guide
However, if it weren't for David Stern, I feel that the Thunder would still be the Sonics. He never gave us a chance to save our team, and kept deeming the Key Arena as "not viable for NBA basketball." Gimme a break.
I know, I know—it's way too late to be playing the blame game. The team is gone and there is nothing I or any other die-hard Sonics fans can do.
I know, I know—it's way too late to be playing the blame game. The team is gone and there is nothing I or any other die-hard Sonics fans can do.
I just feel bad for all of the young NBA fans out there who will never know that there is a city up in the Northwest that supported a franchise for 41 years. Those young fans will probably never know that Kevin Durant won the Rookie of the Year award in the green and gold, and they definitely won't give a hoot that we hoisted the trophy in 1979.
Now that my favorite team is gone, I have no choice but to shift my pick to Portland. Hell, why not call them the Northwest Trailblazers, because that's what they are now.
Now that my favorite team is gone, I have no choice but to shift my pick to Portland. Hell, why not call them the Northwest Trailblazers, because that's what they are now.
comments (4) write a comment »
write a new comment
2 months ago
There have been so many articles already written about this, but it's still heart-wrenching to read a Sonics fan mourn the loss of the team.
Of course, this move was decided the minute Howard Schulz sold the team to Clay Bennett. To me, the two biggest villians, aside from the pricks in the legislature and city government, are Schulz and David Stern.
Schulz knew he was selling a 40-plus-year-old team to a group of Oklahoma City businessmen who wanted to bring a pro sports franchise to a state that has never had one. He knew this was coming and he sold the team anyway. Then, he found the tenacity to file a bogus lawsuit that reeked of "oops, I screwed up." It was bogus because it never had any chance in a respectable courtroom.
Then, there's Stern, the curious commissioner who never seems to know where his power begins or ends. No other commissioner operates as spur-of-the-moment as Stern does. He is a shrewd businessman and that sometimes screws up his repsonsibility to the fans.
He could have done something to stop the team sale but chose to do nothing. He sat quietly while 41 years of history was uprooted and hauled to the deep South. If Stern wanted to do so, he could force Bennett to honor the two-years remaining on the lease, or find some way to get the money himself.
I respect what Stern has done with this wonderful league, but his absolute power sometimes shits on the fans who mean the most to the success of his game.
Why did he let this happen? He saw the opportunity to move a struggling team to a state known for its maniacal sports fans. Oklahoma has never hosted a professional sports team on a permanent basis, so Stern can continue his trend of putting NBA squads in cities with less pro competition.
No longer competing with the Seahawks and Mariners, the Sonics, er whatever they will be called now, will be the exclusive pro sports option in their market. More ticket sales means more attendance, which boosts the numbers Stern values most.
As for Bennett, he did what anyone in his position might do. He saw the opportunity to bring a professional team to his home state. Attendance at Key Arena was dipping, the team was losing money and government leaders were making relocation all but certain with their refusal to fund a new building.
Bennett made a smart business decision. The OKC team will enjoy one of the loudest environments in the NBA, and sports fans in his state will love him for the forseeable future. He will always be known as the man who brought the NBA to OKC.
I know it sucks, and I can't pretend to understand your predicament, but sometimes shit happens.
2 months ago
Its sad that a great franchise like seattle got there team taken away because i know they are passionate about there basketball. I'm 15 but i still watch the old school highlights of gary payton and shawn kemp and how excited the fans were. I'm from maryland but i wish i was out there to see some of those games live. P.S. I seen there roster they suck. they'll be lucky to win 30 games
2 months ago
I'm a Portland fan and am going to miss the Seattle Supersonics almost as much as their own fans will. It's not going to be the same. Seattle usually had very quality teams and great fans. Whenever I'd check the standings, I wanted to know two things. First, how was Portland faring over all. Second, where did we stand compared to Seattle. So, where's the rivalry now? LA? LA was always a rivalry, but in my mind it wasn't close to the one we had with Seattle. Like I said, it's just not going to be the same.
Stern and Bennet had this planned out years in advance. Let every NBA fan take note. As long as Stern is the dictator of the NBA, no club is safe from his maneuvering...except maybe LA and New York. It's a sad day indeed. I honestly hope you guys get another team in the very near future...but even if you do, you still got hosed.
2 months ago
Hey guys. Thanks for the kind words. It's going to be really tough seeing my former team suit up in light blue, orange and red. Might shed some tears on opening night.
write a new comment