Three words that sum up this whole Seattle versus Oklahoma City debacle. Despite all the negativity, all the talk in Seattle, in short, Clay Bennett and Oklahoma City won.
This is more than financial. This is principal. This was not about Bennett’s intensions with the franchise, albeit clear from when Seattle refused to build the franchise formerly known as the Supersonics a new house. With good reason, since they are still paying for a domed stadium that is no longer standing. And two others that guaranteed Seattle at least two professional sports franchises in the future.
Had Seattle not played its cards right, it could have been out of the professional sports business temporarily altogether. However, the city refused to be held hostage for a third time. Makes financial sense, really.
There was no other viable outcome to this monstrosity. Just find it ironic how suddenly before this verdict came down, we have a settlement? Why not two months ago, avoiding this whole circus in the first place? Why not in January?
Clearly, Seattle wanted to wait until the last minute once again to make Bennett sweat. Seattle did everything in its power to ensure Bennett looked like the bad guy right up until the very last breath when it was its intension to accept the offer in the first place.
Which is why the timing of the email’s, or should I say banter between friends, was ironic. Which is why they acted as if they wanted the Sonics to be a lame duck team for two years. Because at no matter the cost, they wanted to throw mud in Bennett’s face and allow this franchise to be doomed in the short-term.
Now, the hillbillies have a team they can call their own. A city must put its two-year lust for the Hornets behind them, shedding the New Orleans name. Hopefully the Hornets didn’t copyright the “Loud City” name. In just two years, the NBA crazed fans in the heart of America already have an alias.
Where does Seattle go from here? The NBA would be absolutely insane not to return to Seattle in the future. Under the right ownership, until the right circumstances, Seattle clearly deserves an NBA team.
Just in this World we live in today, just not its NBA team. Temporarily. In five years, maybe sooner, another Supersonics product will be running up and down the hardwood in Seattle. Expansion? Doubtful.
Which team would be tempted by the huge Seattle market? Two franchises immediately jump to mind. Portland for logistical and ownership reasons. A mere suggestion of that in the past was met with Seattle and Portland fans lambasting me over and over again despite the fact that I’m not even a real Oklahoman in the first place. Still believe the Portland’s team could blaze its trail a little further north.
Memphis? They have moved before, from Vancouver. There is a rumor that grizzly bears actually do not exist in the Memphis area. Can you Google that?
Ah. I was wrong. They have a zoo.
Would Seattle support another NBA team? "We have 30 million reasons why we have support for a future NBA team," Seattle city attorney Tom Carr said.
Okay. Cool. I was always wondering what happened to the former publicist for Terrell Owens. Now I know. I knew she would eventually resurface somewhere, just never thought in Seattle.
Damn the irony.
This whole argument had no winners, other than Oklahoma City. Not one to gloat. Hold on.
I screwed up when calling the ticket phone number. It’s 1-888-618-HOOP. Kept confusing the last three letters with an I-C-K. (For you Oklahomans asking "Where dat dad gum letter on the phone, hun?", HOOP is actually 4667. See, they don’t make keys for letters, unless you have a keypad for your cell phone... blackberry... whatever the case may be)
Do they have a separate number for people in Seattle to leave nasty messages? (1-888-####-O-F-F) Wonder how many prank calls the ticket line will be getting? Mark it down for two more after the four of you that read this. The other two will look for my number after reading this. They are from Oklahoma. Trouble is, they can’t read a phone book. Guess I’m in the clear.
It is just what the Oklahomans will do when they find me that worries me. Maybe they can find me, tie me up, stick me in the back of the pickup, and dump hot Starbucks all over my face.
Nah. One cup costs minimum wage in these parts.
In all seriousness after my equal opportunity bashing (tree huggers… apologize for my typing tourettes), my family may or may not attend an NBA game, just as if the Hornets were here. Just something that seems wrong (basketBALLS) with watching a red, white, and blue team called something other than the Sonics play in the NBA.
That’s just plain wrong. Will Ice Cube go back and change his lyrics to his 1992 hit ‘Today Was A Good Day’?
“It's ironic, I had the brew she had the chronic
The Lakers beat the Supersonics…”
Today was a good day for some, not all. Never thought I would leave a blog with Ice Cube lyrics.
Bricktown buzz blasts boom, bringing Bennett big bank.
Soon (to be) Oklahoma’s Sonics.
Note: Portland will be in Seattle in two years anyway. Don’t understand what the big deal is. Paul Allen’s “no” vote speaks loud and clear. “Seattle will think I’m a hero. Especially when I bring them professional basketball in a few years.” Bet you a cup of Starbucks he steps in to ensure the lease ends sooner than expected. Watch that space.
