NBA (Basketball)
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Man, I'm not the shady oil man that boonsswaggled a coffee magnate. I'm just the dust bowl child whose biggest Heroes never played much after college. I know it was a huge sacrifice, and one that felt cloak and daggered, at best. But, as an okie, whose not Southern or yankee or south west or pacific, but whose identity is tied to Tom Joad and being "the Canada of Texas," you will never fully understand what this means to us. Thank you. Sincerely. From the bottom of our hearts. Thunder fans. PS. You're Seattle. The king of modern cool. You're the home of Nirvana and coffee shops. You have "IT" jobs and Facebook. You'll get another team, don't despair. And, when you do, go to their games, and cheer hard, and realize, that your scraps were fine dining for us "poor white trash." And, realize, that most of us, thank Gawd, you guys dumped them. We're the second husbands of an under appreciated divorcé. Don't hate us. Okay, hate us just a little. But, realize, we'll take good care of them. We'll treat them like they always believed they should be treated. Hopefully, next time around, you'll treat your second one the same way you should have treated your first. That's what living is. Learning and living and loving until it works. Good luck Seattle, we're pulling for you. Love, Joe, An Okie.
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Joe, I loved that comment so much – until the end. Everything you said was inspiring, but I just want to clear the air regarding Seattle's support of the Sonics. The Sonics dominated the city and were near the top in league attendance for decades. It wasn't until the final season, after Bennett purchased the team and gutted them, that attendance fell off dramatically. Also, the dynamics of their arena deal were complicated. The city had just given taxpayer dollars to build brand new, state-of-the-art football and baseball facilities. Key Arena, the Sonics' home, had also undergone extremely-costly renovations, only a decade prior. Howard Schultz (Starbucks owner and the man who sold the Sonics to Bennett) is just as much to blame as anyone. His refusal to spend any of his own millions on an arena for the city that made him hundreds of millions is deplorable. There isn't a single true Sonics fan I know who drinks Starbucks. Gross incompetence by our city council leaders are second to blame. Quite frankly, I don't think they thought it was possible to lose a team with the amount of money in the Seattle area. The animosity of our fanbase toward your franchise is because we feel lied to, cheated, and swindled by your state's investors (headed by Clay Bennett). We feel this way because we were lied to, cheated, and swindled. I have posted this previously, but I highly suggest watching this award-winning documentary detailing our perspective. It's a full-length feature, and I understand that you are a busy guy, but I feel like it should be mandatory viewing material for every Thunder fan:
We may get a team. In fact, I think the Kings are as good as gone. Stern is just stretching this thing out as long as possible to collect more money (their value is just continuing to rise). I also think he's waiting for Sacramento to stub their toe; allowing him to deflect all responsibility. However, we will never get what OKC took from us. You didn't just move the Sonics. You took our history with you. You should never have taken our trophy. Our 1979 World Championship is the only championship in the history of our city, and it happened before I was born. Imagine all of the disappointments from 40+ years of professional sports in our city; and the one pinnacle of American sporting accomplishment we earned is sitting in a city that has never had to endure a single miserable season.
I respect your cities' support of your team, but I wonder if it would be so feverish if you didn't have one of the best young teams the NBA has ever seen. Again, I appreciate your perspective, and really did enjoy your comment; but, please, don't believe the propaganda you've been fed regarding the city of Seattle's support for the Sonics. It's been the lead paint Bennett and Stern have painted over the mess they've created. The truth is the Sonics were the toughest ticket in town for as long as I can remember. I know this because I was a former season ticket holder (okay, my dad was, but I reaped the benefits).
Lastly, I understand how hypocritical this all sounds in relation to moving the Kings. Honestly, it is hypocritical. This entire situation just feels dirty. I don't like it, but the probability of expansion is slim to none. There are so many moving pieces in this that it's hard to grasp the larger picture. It really all began with Hurricane Katrina and the temporary move of the Hornets. Stern was in debt to Bennett and OKC for saving the team then, and he should have awarded you guys an expansion franchise. The constraints of the collective bargaining agreement at that time (and even now) made it difficult for owners to make money year-over-year. Consequently, they would have unanimously rejected expansion because they don't want to share their revenue with one more team.
Alright, I've written WAY more than I intended (on an iPhone, no less). Congratulations on your team's success. I commend and applaud the support your city has showcased. You are truly the shining example that franchises can thrive in small markets. I just hope you understand that this isn't nearly as cut and dry as, "they weren't supported, so they left." In fact, it's a complete lie.
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Sean,
I couldn't agree more with your statement. It's a raw deal. It's something, we Okies are pretty used to. I think it's why we are so rabid in our support. It's like a beautiful wedding cake after a big shit sandwich. I don't understand the way you feel and will never pretend to. You guys got PONED, for real. The end. The trophy should have never moved. It's like my alma matter's bowl appearances. Sucky. I empathize, weirdly so, and hope you guys get another team to rally around. For us it doesn't matter what city the sonics are in. It matters that their jersey has an "O" on it that stands for us. Please, keep cheering for them. Every game they win brings you honor, whether you realize that or not. Thunder up. Sonic up. Kings up. Small town kids up. City kids up. America up. World up.
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Joe, you are a good dude. I look forward to meeting you at the GORUCK competition. I will never be able to root for Bennett & Co., but your pride, perspective, and understanding does make me feel a little less hatred toward the organization – fans like you deserve a team to root for.
Back to the topic of the Playoffs, anyone else see what CP3 just did?
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CP3 is incredible. his greatness almost hurts the clippers in the long run because he pulls off plays like that(and all the plays he made the last 4 minutes) often enough to win games. i think it gives them a false sense of competence in their ability to close out games. the other 4 guys stand around and wait for chris to make a shot.
during a timeout last night, webber basically said no offense to del negro but anybody who knows what's going on with the clippers knows that cp3 and billups are the coaches. can anybody remember the last time a coach of such a successful, popular team was this widely viewed as a figurehead and punchline and lasted so long?
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^Do you live in LA? You are absolutely right on all fronts. I thought this was only obvious because I see them so much, but maybe it is obvious to everyone.
Their complete dependence on CP3 down the stretch will hurt them in the next round. The Thunder will double him and make other guys make plays. This will be very interesting. Clearly, Griffin doesn't want the ball at the end of games because he is scared to shoot free throws. Maybe Big Shot Billups still has some fuel in the late-game tank. I've always been a fan of Crawford. He was the greatest player I've ever seen at the high school level. I hope he is able to play well in the fourth quarter and make the next series a good one.
Having said that, I don't think this series is over. Game 2 has to sting for Memphis, but they are a mentally and physically tough team. If they take care of business at home, LAC is the type of front-running team that can crumble.
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I wouldn't compare him with Lebron though as he has always been a physical freak of nature amongst his peers and this kid seems to have a rather normal physical build, plus he's "only" 6'2" … not that I'm doubting his skill, but hopefully for him he will grow a little more to make it to the NBA
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do i hear "only" 6'2"?
btw. here´s a "nice" read about AI:
http://www.celebritynetworth.com/richest-athletes/nba/allen-iverson-net-worth/ -
^Do you live in LA? You are absolutely right on all fronts. I thought this was only obvious because I see them so much, but maybe it is obvious to everyone.
Their complete dependence on CP3 down the stretch will hurt them in the next round. The Thunder will double him and make other guys make plays. This will be very interesting. Clearly, Griffin doesn't want the ball at the end of games because he is scared to shoot free throws. Maybe Big Shot Billups still has some fuel in the late-game tank. I've always been a fan of Crawford. He was the greatest player I've ever seen at the high school level. I hope he is able to play well in the fourth quarter and make the next series a good one.
Having said that, I don't think this series is over. Game 2 has to sting for Memphis, but they are a mentally and physically tough team. If they take care of business at home, LAC is the type of front-running team that can crumble.
i dont live in la; just really enjoy basketball. agree with all your points…crawford is electrifying. that stretch in the second quarter when he went off was so wrong but you can't help but enjoy when the shots go in. basically had jamal doing all the work while everyone else watched just like cp3 at the end of games. that must've been cool seeing him play ball in high school. seattle has produced a lot of exciting, incredibly confident guards.
as for billups, i know he is a respected leader with a championship pedigree and played well in game 1. but with the way conley went off last night i wonder why bledsoe didn't get much run down the stretch. cp3 is a very good defender, but you would think letting him rest a bit on defense while bledsoe focuses all his attention on shutting down conley might help. i know billups is a good 3 point shooter, but with crawford and barnes/butler on the floor you have guys who aren't afraid to shoot if cp3 kicks it out for a wing/corner 3.
i hope you are right about memphis taking care of business back home. this was one of the first round matchups i was most excited for and definitely want to see a good series. it is too bad memphis got rid of speights/ellington to get under the cap(especially considering the rudy gay trade took care of that shortly after). speights isn't a good defender but would provide much needed offense that ed davis and dorell arthur aren't giving them. and they have to be one of the bottom 5 teams in the league for 3-point shooting so ellington would theoretically help. i love marc gasol's game and wish he had more talent around him to take advantage of his smart play.
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I wouldn't compare him with Lebron though as he has always been a physical freak of nature amongst his peers and this kid seems to have a rather normal physical build, plus he's "only" 6'2" … not that I'm doubting his skill, but hopefully for him he will grow a little more to make it to the NBA
You're absolutely right. There is only one Lebron. That's why I said "little Lebron." haha. LBJ wasn't 260+ lbs. at 14, though.
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It´s official: I´m annoyed by the amount of injuries. The East was wide open anyway for the Heat and now the Western teams are totally falling apart. Kobe, Faried, Lee, Noah, Rose, Curry, Nash, Gallinari and even indestructible freak athlet Russ Westbrook. Half an all star cast out or limping through the Playoffs. Congrats Miami, this will be an easy (and boring) one.
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as expected, the grizzlies/clippers and nuggets/warriors series have delivered some of the best first-round games.
the bulls/nets has been a nice surprise, especially considering the bulls' injuries.
i have really enjoyed watching the grizzlies beat the clippers the last 3 games with gasol and randolph dominating the front court, the wing defense of tony allen, quincy pondexter and tayshaun prince and the grizzlies' team defense with DPOY gasol as the anchor. conley has had some strong games but just isn't good enough to take them to the next level.
it is a shame memphis has no outside shooting to space the floor a little and capitalize on the value of the 3-point shot. although their swingmen defend at an elite level, memphis just doesn't have the outside shooting to really challenge for a championship. this is too bad because i really enjoy watching them when gasol and randolph play this well.
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jackie17, specmvl, thank you for keeping this thread alive and well during the Playoffs. I think we can all agree that the last few days have been surprising – in a good way. I have had a hard time bringing myself to post in this thread since Monday's decision, by the owners, to keep the Kings in Sacramento. I fully understand that two wrongs don't make a right. However, the hypocrisy of Stern, Clay Bennett, and the other owners is frustrating beyond words. The article (below) in the TNT articulates my sentiments better than I can, at this moment. Like most Sonics fans, I am still in a state of shock.
" -- OF CHRIS HANSEN'S HURDLES, NBA'S RAMPANT HYPOCRISY IS TOUGHEST --
As a rule, it’s hard to work up a critical mass of sympathy over the disappointments of billionaire hedge-fund managers.
But when the NBA — overseen by what is viewed in these precincts as an irredeemable, dark-hearted despot — left Chris Hansen empty-handed in his franchise-relocation bid, Hansen responded with such admirable determination and resilience.
On his Sonicsarena.com site, he vowed redoubled efforts to purchase the Sacramento Kings and return the NBA to Seattle. He quoted Muhammad Ali’s decree that “impossible is not a declaration, it’s a dare … impossible is temporary … .”
If previous owners felt half his commitment, the Sonics could have been kept in place for half the price five years ago.
As inspiring as Hansen and his well-capitalized cohorts have been, they might be better served by going all-out Al Davis on the NBA and commissioner David Stern for having rigged the outcome.
Davis sued the NFL tirelessly over relocation of the Raiders and other matters, winning some, losing some, but making himself a massive annoyance to the status quo.
Hansen would be supported in legal action by the Maloofs, current owners of the Kings, who are on the brink of being forced by the league to accept a lower bid to stay in Sacramento, and thereby renege on a signed sales agreement already in place with Hansen’s group.
Monetary damages? Hansen already has a $30 million deposit down on the deal. He and his group have purchased the SoDo land site for multiple millions.
He’s also committed to providing millions to upgrade KeyArena as a temporary home for the new Sonics — improvements that will benefit the city thereafter. So, toss the city of Seattle in as an aggrieved party in an action against the league.
On Monday, seven members of the league’s relocation committee voted unanimously to reject the Kings’ move to Seattle. Three of those seven (Herb Simon, Pacers; Peter Holt, San Antonio and Micky Arison, Miami) also were part of the unanimous seven who allowed relocation of the Sonics to Oklahoma City in 2008.
Hypocrites.
Since he helped rip the Sonics from Seattle, Stern has stepped up in a conspicuously opposite degree to save New Orleans and Sacramento from having their teams moved. The theory is he learned that uprooting well-supported franchises was bad PR after what happened in Seattle.
So the best way to keep it from happening to Sacramento was to tilt the playing field so Seattle gets shafted a second time. That’s called irony in the rest of the country; something else entirely in Seattle.
Stern slapped away the invisible hand of the marketplace at one point when he warned Sacramento that its bid to keep the Kings was substandard, and they’d have to elevate their game to have a chance. That kicked the Sacramento forces into desperation mode in an attempt to get their bid close enough for the league to plausibly deny relocation.
After the vote of the relocation committee — which sets up a final decision on the matter by the Board of Governors — Stern said that although the Seattle bid was very strong, “there’s some benefit that should be given to a city that supported us for so long.”
The statement is a face slap to fans who supported the Sonics for 41 years in Seattle, and who were not given the same respect in 2008.
Hypocrite.
And, of course, there’s the nauseating complicity of Clay Bennett, the Oklahoma City Thunder owner who uprooted the Sonics and now serves as chair of the relocation committee.
“Seattle should be a future opportunity for the league, but a modern building must be built,” Bennett said on April 17, 2008.
But now that a Seattle building is approved, funded and drawn up, Bennett still voted against allowing the Kings to move to Seattle.
Hypocrite.
Wrongly, in too many quarters, this has pitted fans in Sacramento against fans in Seattle, when the two actually have so much in common. A decision to expand would be the logical way to satisfy two deserving fan bases. But owners don’t want to give up another share of the common gross income — even though the Seattle/Sacto bidding war just boosted the values of their franchises by untold millions.
Hypocrites.
Because relocation and the sale of the franchise actually are different matters in the eyes of the league, there’s some talk that Hansen’s group might fight to get their purchase of the Kings approved and move them later to Seattle.
The league rules hold that a “good faith” effort to keep a team in place must be made by an owner. (I’ll continue after you’re finished laughing at that one.)
Bennett swore to the league that his group satisfied the good-faith clause in Seattle, even though emails between owners revealed that moving the team had been their goal all along. Didn’t matter, the league’s Board of Governors voted 28-2 to allow the move.
The two opposed? Paul Allen (Trail Blazers) and Mark Cuban (Mavericks). Hansen’s going to need more help than that.
Hansen has the money and the resilience and the determination. And he certainly has a positive attitude about dealing with the NBA.
But even if he believes that the impossible is temporary, hypocrisy has a damnably durable shelf-life.
Dave Boling: 253-597-8440 dave.boling@thenewstribune.com @DaveBoling"
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Eff yes! Big night here in Boston (I'm a NY native and am NY everything except basketball). Go Celtics!
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Yea it would be awesome. They gotta show up to the frigging game! Although my house is divided: my wife when to Cuse when C. Anthony was there and they won so she is NY all the way.
