A decade or so ago, when the NBA was FAN-tastic and all the rage, when Michael Jordan was flying through the air winning titles and wagging his tongue and all was right in the basketball world, commissioner David Stern was a genius. Fans flocked to arenas, teams made money, at least most of the teams made money most of the time, and everybody was happy.
Fast-forward to early 2008 and suddenly things aren't quite so rosy in the world of seven-footers running around in shorts. Michael Jordan has long since retired to a life of....well....doing nothing of substance but being Michael Jordan and lending his underwear to Cuba Gooding, Jr. in what seems like a comedown for both men.
Meanwhile, David Stern doesn't seem like much o####enius anymore. In fact, judging by some of his recent moves, it almost seems as if while everyone's back was turned, devious aliens kidnapped Stern, replacing him with Bud Selig's dimwitted brother.
After the revelation last summer that referee Tim Donaghy was involved with betting on NBA games, including games in which Donaghy was refereeing, leading to the obvious conclusion that some NBA games may well have been fixed by officials upon whom the responsibility rests to ensure a fair game, Stern appeared weak and indecisive.
Now comes the news that the NBA Commissioner has given up on Seattle as an NBA city. After forty years in Seattle and an NBA championship in 1979, the man who perhaps has watched too many Godfather movies is whacking the city, saying in a Saturday interview, "It is apparent...that the Sonics are heading out of Seattle. I accept that inevitability at this point. There is no miracle here."
Certainly not now, commissioner! It's no secret that Sonics owner Clay Bennett, along with previous owner Howard Schultz, has been eyeing Oklahoma City covetously. The SuperSonics have been poised to leave the Pacific Northwest for years, and if the team had a firm plan in place to move, Stern's comments would make sense, although they would still be a slap in the face to loyal basketball fans in Seattle, some of whom have spent their entire lives rooting for the Sonics.
But that's not the case! Bennett's plan to move his team to Oklahoma after this season has been put on hold after the city refused Bennett's offer of $30 million to buy out the remaining two years on the team's lease at Key Arena. What this means is quite simple: At some point, the Seattle Supersonics will be moving to Oklahoma City and shacking up there, but unless something happens to break up the legal logjam, that move won't take place until after the 2009-2010 season, leading to the awkward possibility of two years playing on a nearly-empty "home court."
Who in Seattle is going to spend their hard-earned cash to root on a team that has the moving truck waiting in the parking lot, lights on and engine idling, waiting for the moment they can pack up and roar out of town?
Stern's motives here seem clear. He is acting as a conduit for the Sonics ownership, trying to make it clear to the city fathers in Seattle that nothing will save their team and they might just as well reach the "acceptance" stage in the grieving process. But what if he fails? What if the powers-that-be in the city thumb their noses at Stern and Just Say No? What if they refuse any offer of a lease buyout, just to make Bennett and the NBA squirm?
Would the team be able to survive two years playing in front of crowds that a high school team would scoff at? What about luxury box sales and Sonics gear at the Pro Shop? Think people would be rushing out to buy those Seattle team jerseys? Fan appreciation Day would be a big hit, wouldn't it?
The way Stern is bringing the hammer down on the people of Seattle is heavy-handed and wrong. I hope the city continues to fight the league, if only to make a point. If Clay Bennett, or any team owner in any sport, wishes to moves his hundred-of-million dollar plaything to another playground, that is his right. But he should damn well have to fulfill the legal terms of his lease with the city before he jumps off the ship like a rat.
Hey everyone, I know it must seem like I've dropped off the face of the earth, but it's nothing like that.
I've been busy writing - two full-length novels so far, plus over a dozen short stories - and working hard to try to get an agent. If you are curious and have a few minutes, check out my website, www.allanleve rone.com.
If you're a literary agent or if you know one, by all means contact me! In the meantime, I'll be here when I can - love this forum - and as always, thank you for checking out my blog, especially considering how many great ones you could be reading instead....
