Supersonics

[seattlesmoke]

when they left Seattle were you sad? i think it sucks that they are actually good down in OKC now

[hamhead]

Still cant get my head around fact your team can"move" city, so no basketball side in seattle now?

[TellItToTheDA]

Still cant get my head around fact your team can"move" city, so no basketball side in seattle now?

Unless you like watching the WNBA.

[clarknova]

http://www.bizjournals.com/sacramento/news/2010/11/08/microsofts-ballmer-buying-the-kings.html

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE *breath* PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE!

[Nateyb24]

http://www.bizjournals.com/sacramento/news/2010/11/08/microsofts-ballmer-buying-the-kings.html

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE *breath* PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE!

Clark i used to be a big Super Sonic fan now i refuse to pay attention to the NBA until David Stern is gone i suggest you do the same the guy is the scum of the earth hes talking about getting rid of small market teams to help the market...

Also no way a team comes to Seattle Sterns NBA is failing hard and it will be funny if it falls along with him.

[JosephC]

What is NBA? :). I had to. Nateyb is right, it does not have the fan base it once did.


According to NBA Commissioner David Stern, the NBA lost about $370 million in the 2009-2010 NBA season (http://www.nba.com/2010/news/07/12/stern.decision.ap/index.html).
This reported loss was good news to the NBA's ears seeing that they expected to lose more money this season. Stern was expecting to lose $400 million (http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/35401379/ns/sports-nba/) this year, and also stated that the NBA has lost at least $200 million a year for the four previous years.

http://blog.seattlepi.com/davidnelson/archives/214349.asp

[clarknova]

Uh, no thanks. The Sonics were the first team I was passionate about. I watched almost every game for a few years there. I hate David Stern and Howard Shultz and Clay Bennett, but I didn't and currently don't care about the financial situation the league finds itself in. I mean, I know it's a long shot, but that was a heart breaker. I don't watch the NBA, I can't root for the Blazers, but if a team came here I'd watch every frickin game, and Stern can choke on a turd and die for all I care! I wouldn't not root for a Seattle team because of him, I'd root even more for one. Don't mind that it's a snowball's chance in hell. I'll never stop hoping for the Sonics to come back. Stern or no. Ill note the suggestions though! :)

[TellItToTheDA]

Uh, no thanks. The Sonics were the first team I was passionate about. I watched almost every game for a few years there. I hate David Stern and Howard Shultz and Clay Bennett, but I didn't and currently don't care about the financial situation the league finds itself in. I mean, I know it's a long shot, but that was a heart breaker. I don't watch the NBA, I can't root for the Blazers, but if a team came here I'd watch every frickin game, and Stern can choke on a turd and die for all I care! I wouldn't not root for a Seattle team because of him, I'd root even more for one. Don't mind that it's a snowball's chance in hell. I'll never stop hoping for the Sonics to come back. Stern or no. Ill note the suggestions though! :)

You may just be interested in the book I'm writing as my culminating senior project, "A Comprehensive History of the Seattle Supersonics".

On that note, R.I.P Quintin Daily and Maurice Lucas.

[clarknova]

That is interesting! Did you see "Sonicsgate"? What did you think?

[Nateyb24]

Uh, no thanks. The Sonics were the first team I was passionate about. I watched almost every game for a few years there. I hate David Stern and Howard Shultz and Clay Bennett, but I didn't and currently don't care about the financial situation the league finds itself in. I mean, I know it's a long shot, but that was a heart breaker. I don't watch the NBA, I can't root for the Blazers, but if a team came here I'd watch every frickin game, and Stern can choke on a turd and die for all I care! I wouldn't not root for a Seattle team because of him, I'd root even more for one. Don't mind that it's a snowball's chance in hell. I'll never stop hoping for the Sonics to come back. Stern or no. Ill note the suggestions though! :)

Good for you. But once the Sonics left for Oklahoma they died to me along with Stern supporting a new Sonic team would be supporting Stern and i would never be able to do that. Yes there were other people to blame but Stern flat out lied and did absoloutley nothing to stop any of it.

His league is a joke compared to the MLB and NFL there product is not perfect by any means but atleast there respectable.

(Just re-read what i typed sorry if the "Good for you" Part came off rude wasn't trying to be meant it that its good that a team can come back for you to enjoy and you can watch again but i just would never be able to.)

[JosephC]

I wouldn't not root for a Seattle team because of him, I'd root even more for one.
I'm confused, is this because it would prove David Stern wrong? Or nothing to do with David Stern, just the fact we'd have basketball back in the city?

[clarknova]

I'm confused, is this because it would prove David Stern wrong? Or nothing to do with David Stern, just the fact we'd have basketball back in the city?

I wrote that on my phone last night (still no internet at home), so I can see how that would be confusing. It's like this: I was a fan of the Sonics, the basketball team. I didn't give two shits about David Stern. I don't believe that David Stern has an irrational hatred for grunge music, caramel macchiatos, and rain. I think that David Stern is an evil little troll who'll sell out an entire city to give his rich hillbilly friend his very own basketball team. If someone like Ballmer is willing to write a check for hundreds of millions of dollars to build a facility and buy a team (yeah, I know it's almost an impossibility) David Stern is not going to turn the money down just to maniacally smite Seattle. He's too greedy. One of the main bullshit reasons that was given as an excuse to steal the team was that there wasn't enough fan support. That is why I would support a team even more, regardless of the "reason's" accuracy. The truth is that I loved the Sonics like I love the M's and I support the Mariners through thick and thin. I'm a sports fan, not a business fan. If the M's had moved to Tampa in the 90's, I would have been really bummed, but if another team came here, I wouldn't not support them because Bud Selig allowed the team to leave*. I'd cheer for the team because I love baseball. F the commissioner, or even the idea of letting their greed and avarice affect my love for the game.
So, yes, in a sense I would like to prove David Stern wrong about the viability of an NBA franchise in Seattle. And, I suppose not so much "prove him wrong", but more, "make him look more like an idiot". That would give me great pleasure, but either way, no matter what, I'd support an NBA team here. Then again, I liked basketball and the Sonics, if you didn't, I could see how that wouldn't make much sense.

That is just my personal opinion. I totally get what Nateyb is saying. To this day I boycott Starbucks whenever possible (I'm a HUGE coffee drinker, and have had to make some exceptions, like when I was in South Carolina) due entirely to my hatred for Shultz. He sold us out as much as anyone. Like I said before. I don't watch the NBA... (much). Also, thanks for clarifying that opening "salvo" Nateyb! I read that and laughed because I thought you were seriously irritated that I'd support an NBA team in Seattle again. I was like, really? Dude, do your thing, and I'll do mine! Sheesh! I get it though, really, and don't at all blame or judge your stance on the situation. I see where you're coming from.

*http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seattle_Pilots#One_and_done_in_Seattle_.281969.29

He (Selig) actually did a very similar thing long ago. Not exactly the same, but I think most of us know that the Mariners were not the first MLB team in Seattle. The Brewers were. And that the Sonics were not the first team to be "stolen" from Seattle. Read the first part of the "franchise history".

Also, the book "Ball Four" by Jim Bouton a pitcher for the Pilots is awesome. I have a copy in my bathroom. Great bits about Piniella and Mantle in there from when Bouton pitched for the Yankees. Most of it is a diary of his time in Seattle though. Definitely worth a read IMO.

[Nateyb24]

Yea but the Pilots left because there wasn't enough support here the Sonics left because of BS reasons i know for a fact the Sonics were well supported like die hard fans like you. I don't know i would consider myself a die hard fan i did support them by watching them because Basketball was my favourite sport growing up even went to a few games first professional sport to attend out of all the Seattle teams.

[clarknova]

That's why I said they weren't exactly the same, there are a lot of differences. I think we're in agreement (on the BS that lost us our team), just not in how we would handle an NBA team returning. It's all good. I respect your position on it.

[Seattle Guy]

Sadly if the Sonics ever come back to Seattle it will be because another city had it's hearts ripped out just like we did.

[Nateyb24]

A deal is reportedly in place to sell the New Orleans Hornets to the NBA, fueling speculation that Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer may try to take the team off the NBA's hands and move it to Seattle.

Hornets owner George Shinn has agreed to sell the franchise to the NBA after negotiations with minority owner Gary Chouest fell through. The NBA wants Jac Sperling, vice chairman of the NHL's Minnesota Wild, to oversee its sale to a more permanent owner.

The NBA reportedly also wants the Hornets to remain in New Orleans. However, if average attendance at the New Orleans Arena stays as low as it has been lately, the Hornets could have the right to break their lease and move after this season.

What the league really wants is a strong prospective owner. Ballmer seems to have what it takes. He is a die-hard NBA fan who tried to negotiate arena deals in order to keep the Sonics in Seattle in 2008. He is also a local billionaire who recently sold more than $1 billion in Microsoft stock. That kind of cash-on-hand could buy him a team and/or an arena.

The Hornets have been based in New Orleans since Shinn moved them from Charlotte in 2002. The team played most of its home games in Oklahoma City for two seasons from 2005-07 because of Hurricane Katrina.

Clay Bennett gave Oklahoma City its own team by breaking the remaining year of his KeyArena lease, relocating the Sonics to OKC and renaming the team the Thunder.

Bennett owns the Sonics name, logo, colors, championship trophy, banners and retired jerseys but agreed to return them to Seattle if the city gets an NBA franchise.


http://www.q13fox.com/news/kcpq-nba-hornets-sale-120610,0,3410015.story

Just thought id post this because i came acrossed it surfing the web. I still think if the NBA returned to Seattle its because Stern found an idiot the NBA has been flopping. Unless Balmer built an Arena to host Hockey games maybe you could make money instead of losing it heard that idea. Im with Seattle though i don't want to rip a team away from another place.

[MarinersAreTheBest]

I think Seattle is a little more deserving of an NBA team than New Orleans is. That city is devastated and simply can't support the Hornets. The Saints are an entirely different story, but the NBA needs to return the NBA back home.

[kycardad]

Only way I root for OKC is if they are playing the heat

[E_Martinez11]

David Stern said essentially "Seattle you are irrelevant, we hate you, we dont care about 40+ years of support"

David Stern AND NBA I will never never never never watch the NBA, OKC might make 10 cents more today...BUT THE HATRED YOU DEVELOPED IN A LIFE LONG NBA FAN WILL NEVER BE FOREGIVEN....3 things (2 od 3, I will actively challenge and try to destroy the NBA

1) Gary Payton Ownership in a Seattle franchise
2) Kevin Calabero announcing ever game till I die
3) Davis Stern appologizing for raping seattle

DIE NBA DIE!!!!

I DO NOT CARE IF THE NBA ever returns...My first Pro sports game was the Sonic.....

My hatred for the satan of sports is David Stern.....as long as he lives...I will promote anything but satan

[E_Martinez11]

I hope there is a NBA lockout...and 3 years there is a NBA/sterm Collapse.
NEVER will I watch a NBA game...I wish I could...but until someone shoots Scum Stern. NEVER....NEVER will I watch more than 3 seconds of the NBA


Gary Payton--- Your support of Seattle...you are the sole reason why I would even support a David Stern era Seattle Team.

If someone chops off his head....I would hate it, but I might watch a NBA game

FYI STUPID STERN
I will watch NCAA BB 100 games before I support SCAMBALL

[E_Martinez11]

Let me make this clear...Dear David Stern, DO NOT BRING A NBA FRANCHISE TO SEATTLE, THERE ARE THOUSANDS THAT HATE HTE NBA AND WILL COST YOU MILLIONS YOU MISSED IN PAST YEARS!!!!

As much as I love the MAriners....It would be a Drain on the bankruput NBA to come to Seattle

BANKRUPT NBA is what I hope.

Lock out/Bankruptcy is my wish.....Screw NBA and Starbucks

I'd rather watch 140 lose baseball than support David Stern the scum

[E_Martinez11]

SorryI would Rather watch 162 lose baseball, than watch 2 minutes of NBA playoffs

Yes, I BOYCOTT TV channels that televise NBA games. ( Iactually like the closer Tv show...but have not watched since 2009, cuz its TNT-stern vision)

DO NOT WATCH THE NBA.....Buy products from seattle peeps...Nike is even boarderline.... So What Oregon? Support anti seattle? promotion will...well..

[cpgrad08]

I too also Boycotts NBA and Starbucks.

[Nateyb24]

I don't watch the NBA at all either just see the box scores while watching ESPN and hope the Thunder get an early exit.

[E_Martinez11]

I normally dont read the General chat thread...but...obviously news of Memphis vs OKC (because I will never watch another NBA game without a Seattle franchise AND Kevin Calabero calling games AND Gary Payton minority owner)

But.....

I would rather watch the Mariners lose 140 games every year, than OKC EVER to win a championship.
I like some of the OKC players, but I hope they fail.

Go Memphis.

(that hurts, Kevin Durrant was so good to me as a season ticket holder)