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July 2008
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| According to a tv station in OKC, Clay Bennett has a new name for the team formerly known as the Sonics. Drum roll please...the new name is...the "Thunder". What, didn't Clay like our suggestion of the Robber Barons? Here's the website with the story. According to the report, Bennett and the Boys haven't given comment on the story. Apparently, the name "Thunder" was the winning name from an OKC newspaper contest. But Clay may get the last word. Oklahoma City owner Clay Bennett has said privately he prefers a nickname that ends with the letter "s" instead of a singular name nickname, but Bennett added that he and his partners would consider several options. - newsok.com 7/20/08
Yesterday the Seattle city council voted to end the KeyArena lease with the Sonics, which takes their attention to the Seattle Storm. Losing the Sonics does more than hurt the fans, it means the city needs to strike up a new agreement with the WNBA team. This is from councilwoman Jan Drago: "It's a sad day to lose the Sonics. Now we need to do what we can to support the Storm, keep them vital and keep them in Seattle."And it may not be a cake walk. The departure of the Sonics actually hurts the Storm, as the PI points out: the two teams used to share operating costs. The current deal between the Storm and the city goes until 2010, with an out clause each September. ...Now that the Sonics are gone, there are few choices for NBA fans as we all wait for the Schutlz lawsuit to play out. TNT? Or the Trailblazers. Ugh. As a longtime Sonics fan, I don't know if I can jump ship to the Blazers, as indicated by SeatownSports.net.
Here's another pompous move by David Stern and the NBA. The league wants former Sonics owner Howard Schultz to end his lawsuit to regain the club. The NBA filed a motion in federal court on Tuesday. The motion claims Shultz's lawsuit would cause the team formerly known as the Sonics a bunch instability. Hmmm, I'm sure that wasn't happening at all since Clay Bennett bought the club. Anyways, here's the story on the Seattle Times. The first hearing for the Schultz case is Friday. It'll be interesting to see if the NBA is allowed to butt in. Hopefully, for Sonics fans, Schultz stays the course.
Since the settlement, covering the Team Formerly Known as the Sonics has been like running into a brick wall at forty paces. Does anyone out there care? Do Sonics fans want to know OKC summer league scores, how Durant is doing, or what the new jerseys look like? Sure, there is a chance that Schutlz's suit may bring the team back -- after next season is played. Sure, there are reasons to keep watching. To keep an eye on the boxscore, to watch the OKC NBA keep losing. But every story, like today's PI article on Kevin Calabro being unemployed, just wrings the knot in my gut a little harder. ...Clay Bennett and the Robber Barons have changed the Sonics website to the Oklahoma City website. Here's the link. Or you can just hit your old Sonics link...it'll take you there. ...The deal between the city and Bennett isn't finalized yet, but get this: it allows Bennett to use the Sonics banners, memorabilia (six retired jerseys) and even the 1979 championship trophy. Say what? Bennett even keeps ownership of the Sonics name, although while he has "agreed" not to use it -- and will "return" it if a team ever returns to Seattle. Hm. When not using the items in Oklahoma City, they'll be kept in Seattle at the Museum of History and Industry. The deal will be finalized on August 1st.
Do you think the NBA will ever come back to the city of Seattle? Or was the Mayor and the city council caught with $ in their eyes, hosing the fans? Who is to most blame for losing the Sonics? Schultz? Nickels? Gregoire and the legislature? Wally Walker? How hard are Bennett and Stern laughing now? Really, how likely is Seattle to see the NBA again? A 50-50 shot? A 5% chance? Or are the Sonics gone forever? ...So what does David Stern, commish of the NBA think of today's deal? Here is the press release: NEW YORK, July 2, 2008 - NBA Commissioner David Stern has issued the following statement: "We are pleased that the Sonics and the City of Seattle have settled their litigation. While the decision has been made to relocate the Sonics to Oklahoma City, the NBA continues to regard Seattle as a first-class NBA city that is capable of serving as home for another NBA team. In order for this to occur, a state-of-the-art NBA arena must be funded and constructed in the Seattle area, a subject that has been extensively debated -- but not ultimately acted upon -- by local political and business leaders over the past four years. We are pleased that the City remains committed to addressing this fundamental requirement for the return of NBA basketball to Seattle and we hope that other elected officials critical to a solution will support the City's efforts. "We understand that City, County, and State officials are currently discussing a plan to substantially re-build KeyArena for the sum of $300 million. If this funding were authorized, we believe KeyArena could properly be renovated into a facility that meets NBA standards relating to revenue generation, fan amenities, team facilities, and the like. Assuming the funding can be committed, the league is willing to work with the City on the design and construction of the re-build to facilitate this result. Under these circumstances, if an opportunity arose in the future for an NBA team to be located in Seattle, we would support that team playing its home games in a re-built KeyArena, if it wished. However, given the lead times associated with any franchise acquisition or relocation and with a construction project as complex as a KeyArena renovation, authorization of the public funding needs to occur by the end of 2009 in order for there to be any chance for the NBA to return to Seattle within the next five years. "We are pleased that Steve Ballmer has expressed the continuing willingness of his group, Seattle Center Investors, managed by Seattle developer Matt Griffin, to be a part of the solution for returning NBA basketball to Seattle. The NBA will keep SCI and the City informed if opportunities arise in the next five years for franchise sale, relocation and/or expansion. Under the circumstances outlined above, the NBA would be happy to return to the City of Seattle."...Well, we'll know more about the deal as we get closer to Pechman, Nickels and Bennett's press conferences. But what do you think? Should Seattle have settled with the Sonics? Leave your comments below.
Well, it's beginning to look like the city of Seattle and the Sonics have settled the lawsuit. According to some reports, the deal was hinged on Howard Schultz's part of the agreement. While Pechman's ruling is set for 4 p.m., an announcement should come before then.
It sounds slightly fishy, but according to the Oklahoman Newspaper the city of Seattle and the Sonics are negotiating a settlement in the case, pending approval of the Seattle City Council. You can read the report here. The report's source is councilman Richard McIver. The article says the settlement is being held up by the Sonics' desire to include Howard Schultz's lawsuit within the deal. Maybe somebody out there can help read between the lines. Stay tuned for more details. Judge to rule today on Seattle v. Sonics ...Will they stay or will they go? U.S. District Judge Marsha Pechman is expected to post her ruling online, in the city of Seattle vs. Bennett's PBC LLC ownership group at 4 p.m. today. If Pechman rules as scheduled, you can find that link at the US District Court website for Western Washington.
Judge to rule today on Seattle v. Sonics ...Well we're less than 24 hours from Judgement Day. Tomorrow (Wednesday) Judge Marsha Pechman will post her decision online on the Sonics KeyArena lease lawsuit.
The Sonics just sent over a press release. Apparently, point guard Earl Watson broke his thumb while preparing for the upcoming season. He'll have surgery to fix his thumb on Thursday. He could miss a little bit of the start of the season. The official release is after the jump. ...The Seattle (hopefully, they'll still be in Seattle) Supersonics announced their Orlando Pro Summer League roster today. First round picks Russell Westbrook & D.J. White will be there...along with second round pick DeVon Hardin. Suprisingly, second-year player Jeff Green will hit the hardwood in O-Town, too...but no Kevin Durant. I guess when you're the Rookie of the Year, you really don't need to prove yourself in the summer leagues. Anyways, here's the roster. You can also read the Sonics press release after the jump. ...Well the draft is over. It's been a busy day. Seattle completed a few trades, but not a blockbuster like last year (Ray Allen to Boston for the #5 pick aka Jeff Green). Here are the picks with grades.
Almost forgot to mention this one, the Supes grabbed Cal center DeVon Hardin. He's a 6'11" rebounder with length. DX calls him a "best case scenario Nene". He's limited offensively, but he can be a defensive presence. ...The Sonics just picked Kansas center Sasha Kaun with the 56th pick in the draft. Don't expect to see him in Sonics uniform next season. Apparently, he's got a deal with a Russian League team. It sound more lucrative than an NBA 2nd round pick rookie contract. By the way, Kaun is from Tomsk, Russia. UPDATE: Kaun sold to the Cleveland Cavaliers for cash. Do svidaniya! We hardly knew you. ...According to ESPN, the Sonics have traded two of their second round picks to Detroit for PF D.J. White out of Indiana. The Pistons picked White #29 overall. Here's a little info on White from DraftExpress. DX says he runs the floor like an old man. But he can rebound, block shots, and is very long. Hmmm, should we be excited about him? ...The Sonics picked C/PF Serge Ibaka from the Congo. It's a great pick. He's a 6'10" shotblocker, rebounder, and has freakish athleticism, according to DraftExpress.com. His agent reportedly says he wants to stay in Europe for the next few seasons, but I just spoke with Serge via satellite. Ibaka isn't set on staying in Spain to play ball. According to DraftExpress, his deal Spain isn't a done deal. Apparently Ibaka has still yet to sign the four year contract in Spain, but its believed that they will work things out somehow later. - draftexpress.com
The Seattle Supersonics picked point guard Russell Westbrook out of UCLA with the fourth overall pick. He's a good defensive player and can finish on offense. Kevin Durant looked like he was smiling at the draft. I'm sure he's happy he's got a premier point guard. Here's Draft Express' take on Westbrook. ...ESPN's Andy Katz just reported that the Sonics & Clippers deal is off. The deal was if OJ Mayo was gone by the time Seattle picked 4th, the Sonics would send that pick to the Clippers for the #7 pick and a 2009 protected 1st round pick. I'm sure they'll be more rumors floating between now and when the draft starts (4pm). ...ESPN.com is reporting that the Sonics will trade the #4 pick if USC guard O.J. Mayo is already picked. If Mayo is gone, Seattle will send the LA Clippers the #4 pick for the Los Angeles' #7 pick overall and 2009 1st round protected pick. No word what "protected" means. It could be lottery, Top 3, Top 10, or some other kind of "protected" type of pick. Stay tuned. But if Mayo is gone, I think it's a great deal. The Clippers are expected to grab Indiana guard Eric Gordon. That leaves a talent pool of Brook Lopez, Jerryd Bayless, and Kevin Love. ESPN's Chad Ford still thinks it'll be Lopez. (Darn Yous Chad Fords!) If the Sonics like all 3, by dropping from #4 to #7, they should still get one of them and gain a 1st round pick in 2009. That's a smart move...if Mayo is gone. But who knows, this trade could fall through or it may be speculation...no official trade announcement has been made. ...Today is the day. The sports nerd in me is pretty excited about the NBA draft. Who will go where, who's gonna wheel and deal, and more importantly, when will Kyle Weaver be picked. But should any Sonics fan be excited today? Sure the team currently has the 4th overall pick and should get an excitable talent. Yet the possibility of a move to OKC looms overhead like a overcast winter day in Seattle. I guess you can call it another victory for the OKC Barons. They're spoiling the pure joy or the ability of a fan getting lost in all of the splendor and possibilites of the 4th pick. So who should the Seattle Supersonics pick? Here's couple picks by the experts:
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