HUGE NEWS! Clay Bennett & Co. buy Supersonics!

[Easy180]

Sonics' finale has a feeling of "goodbye"
By Percy Allen

Seattle Times staff reporter


The only thing missing were moving vans revving in the parking lot ready to carry the Sonics away after the final buzzer.

Conceivably, they'll return next season for what could be their final year in Seattle, but judging from the multitude of cryptic messages surrounding the game, you might have gotten the impression that when the Sonics walked off the court following Wednesday's 106-75 defeat to Dallas, they were heading out of town for good.

"You know what the crazy thing is? This year was supposed to be a celebration," guard Earl Watson said. "Remember the 40th anniversary and all of that?

"The last game, you want to thank your fans for hanging with you, but this feels more like a goodbye because of everything that's happened."

Several fans wore green-and-gold "Save Our Sonics" T-shirts and carried placards urging owner Clay Bennett to remain patient with state lawmakers who killed the $300 million public financing package on a $500 million multi-purpose facility in Renton that was going to be the Sonics' new home.

During a pep rally outside of KeyArena before the game, Renton Mayor Kathy Keolker encouraged a few hundred supporters to continue the fight for the new arena. She spoke of an 11th-hour miracle before the session ends Sunday, but declined to reveal the reasons for her optimism.

"There's still a possibility we can make this work," she said. "I'm not going to give up. It could very well be [a miracle]. It's coming down that way. There are still people in Olympia who are working on this issue and trying to make this happen.

"That's all I'm going to say right now. I haven't given up, they haven't either and we're all doing our part to try and make this happen."

Many shared her sentiment, but there was also a contingent of fans who fear the worst. They hope that Bennett won't make good on threats to break the final two years of a lease with the city and move the Sonics and Storm to Oklahoma City after the 2007-08 season.

Sonics center Nick Collison, who took the microphone at center court for a pregrame address, hinted the team could move sooner than later. He thanked the fans for their support, but ended a short speech saying: "Hopefully, we'll see you next season."

The gaffe wasn't lost on many in the announced crowd of 16,117 who appeared stunned, or an angry Sonics executive, who stormed down the KeyArena corridor cursing and yelling: "Hopefully? Who in the hell writes this stuff!"

There are so many unknown factors involving the Sonics, who ended their worst season in more than two decades with a five-game losing streak and dropped nine of their last 10 games to finish 31-51.

The arena issue, however, is just the tip of the iceberg.

First and foremost, Bennett, who is in New York attending the NBA Board of Governors meeting, is expected to immediately announce the fates of coach Bob Hill and general manager Rick Sund. Many in the organization believe Hill, who leaves for his home in San Antonio on Saturday, will not be retained, while Sund, who has a year remaining on his contract, could return.

"Expect the unexpected, from players, to coaching, to whatever," Watson said. "What's going to happen with me, I don't know. Nobody in this organization really knows what's going to happen to them except Mr. Bennett."

Include Lenny Wilkens in that exclusive group.

The Sonics legend had been an FSN color analyst before adding the title of vice chairman this season. It's widely believed that he'll have the pick of any job he chooses, from president, to general manager, to coach. What Wilkens decides will determine what happens to Hill and Sund.

Wilkens, who was unavailable Wednesday, has repeatedly said he has no desire to resume a Hall of Fame coaching career that ended in January 2006 after a turbulent year in New York.

Still, rumors continue to swirl about his imminent return to the sideline.

"I talked to Lenny a few times, but we never get into the coaching situation or anything like that because I really don't want to know," forward Chris Wilcox said. "I know this much, this team needs some good news. We haven't had any good news in a long time around here."

Percy Allen: 206-464-2278 or pallen@seattletimes.com


Copyright © 2007 The Seattle Times Company

[Karried]

crowd of 16,117

And there is your problem .. right there.

Bring it on.. we'll fill up our arena.

[jbrown84]

Sonics' finale has a feeling of "goodbye"
Sonics center Nick Collison, who took the microphone at center court for a pregrame address, hinted the team could move sooner than later. He thanked the fans for their support, but ended a short speech saying: "Hopefully, we'll see you next season."

The gaffe wasn't lost on many in the announced crowd of 16,117 who appeared stunned, or an angry Sonics executive, who stormed down the KeyArena corridor cursing and yelling: "Hopefully? Who in the hell writes this stuff!"

I don't understand. Was he mad that he was too optimistic or too pessimistic?

[John]

I don't understand. Was he mad that he was too optimistic or too pessimistic?

I assume the guy would have rathered him say "We'll see you next season."

[metro]

Easy180, I already posted that article on the previous page. Let's also keep in mind that even though 16,117 were announced for attendance, I read many locals fan blogs saying it was more like 12,000 that actually showed up. As we know, sometimes they reported tickets sold, not people showed up.

[Patrick]

And there is your problem .. right there.

Bring it on.. we'll fill up our arena.

That actually isn't bad, considering their arena only seats a little over 17K. Also, you have to consider....why would Seattle support a team owned by OKC investors.

[jbrown84]

What does the Key hold? I would think if they were so supportive it would have been sold out for a potential last game ever.

[Patrick]

What does the Key hold? I would think if they were so supportive it would have been sold out for a potential last game ever.

Look at Charlotte when they had their last game......hardly anyone showed up because the fans were so upset with Shinn.

[Patrick]

Key Arena's capacity for basketball is 17,072

[okclee]

Easy180, I already posted that article on the previous page. Let's also keep in mind that even though 16,117 were announced for attendance, I read many locals fan blogs saying it was more like 12,000 that actually showed up. As we know, sometimes they reported tickets sold, not people showed up.

Let's keep in mind to that there was a home baseball game last night as well.

[jbrown84]

Let's keep in mind to that there was a home baseball game last night as well.

I think that's the point.

[Intrepid]

Since baseball started at the beginning of April, the Mariners and Sonics have only shared 1 home game on the same date: April 18th

So I wonder what the actual attendance for the Sonics game were on the 6th, 9th and 18th...when there weren't any home baseball games.

[Intrepid]

Since baseball started at the beginning of April, the Mariners and Sonics have only shared 1 home game on the same date: April 18th

So I wonder what the actual attendance for the Sonics game were on the 6th, 9th and 18th...when there weren't any home baseball games.

Answered my own question, lol:

April 6th - 17,072

April 9th - 16,004

April 18th - 16,117

(Attendance stats from box scores listed on ESPN.com)

[Kerry]

April 6: Lakers (17,072)
April 9: Rockets (16,004)
April 18: Mavericks (16,117)

Remember, this is tickets sold not fans in the seats.

[Intrepid]

April 6: Lakers (17,072)
April 9: Rockets (16,004)
April 18: Mavericks (16,117)

yeah, that's what I found too. =)

[Nixon7]

Change the name, or keep Sonics?

[John]

Also, you have to consider....why would Seattle support a team owned by OKC investors.

We supported a team owned by a Charlotte/New Orleans investor...

[Intrepid]

Change the name, or keep Sonics?

Personally, I think Sonics would fit just fine.

I'd kinda like to change the colors though. Green, white and gold just doesn't really do anything for me.

[metro]

Funny you guys talk about that, I know we've briefly talked about it before but that really will probably be a serious topic that Bennett and Co. probably have already made a decision on or have been working on. I read an article yesterday that said that very same thing. Bennett owns the Sonics name however he could sell it to the city of Seattle for a price for a future NBA team. I think he should, sell it back to Seattle, reduce his obligation to them and honor their history, and start a fresh, clean name for OKC!!

[Intrepid]

Funny you guys talk about that, I know we've briefly talked about it before but that really will probably be a serious topic that Bennett and Co. probably have already made a decision on or have been working on. I read an article yesterday that said that very same thing. Bennett owns the Sonics name however he could sell it to the city of Seattle for a price for a future NBA team. I think he should, sell it back to Seattle, reduce his obligation to them and honor their history, and start a fresh, clean name for OKC!!

Yeah, that's an interesting point.

I wouldn't necessarily be against that, I just fear the stereotypical name for the Oklahoma City team (anything to do with cowboys, farming, native americans, etc).

I know that's our heritage, but I'd also like to see our teams break free from those types of names. The Sonics (as was discussed either in this thread or in another) would fit nicely because of our history with aviation.

[BDP]

why would Seattle support a team owned by OKC investors.

Why do people shop at Wal-Mart or go to McDonald's, when locally owned businesses sell the same things?

Disconnect or indifference.

People buy what they want and think little about who is making money off of it.

[Easy180]

Think it's a little late for a Save the Sonics grass roots campaign...Needed that before the legislature convened

Sending an S.O.S.: OKC deserves an NBA team, but so does Seattle

By Steven Pyeatt
Guest commentary

Imagine coming home from school on your eighth birthday. You anxiously await your present, hoping for something fantastic.
Your father gives you an envelope and you open it to find a piece of paper. A fancy piece of paper, but still, not the new bike you were hoping for. Then you look at the paper and see that it is a stock certificate for something called "The Seattle SuperSonics.”

You have never seen an NBA game but your father tells you that you own a piece of Seattles first professional sports team (an amazingly small piece, but any piece is a big deal). Come fall you will get to go opening night for the first-ever game of a pro sports team in Seattle.

Over the next 40 years the memories mark the passing of your life.

Watching future NBA legend Lenny Wilkens become your city's first All-Star player. Slick Watts with his bald head and headband working magic with the ball. Being there as Jack Sikma and Dennis Johnson lead the team to Seattle's first-ever professional sports championship. Being part of the biggest parade in city history celebrating the NBA championship. Shawn Kemp and Gary Payton coming within two wins of winning another title only to lose to Michael Jordan and the best team in NBA history.

Then comes heartbreak as your local owners and elected officials bicker over the future of the team. Everyone wants to blame everyone else while you stand there amazed at the lack of leadership and vision that is putting the future of a valuable part of your city's history at risk.

Like a divorce, you dont care who is right or wrong, you just care about the future of the children.

Then comes the dagger to the heart: The team being sold to out-of-state owners. Even worse, these owners come from a city that is where yours was 40 years ago, hungry to step up to the next level as a city. They have had a taste of what the NBA is all about and they know what they want, a team to call their own.

You look for reasons to hate that city and to hate the people that bought your team. But the city is a good one, deserving of taking that next step, and the new owner is a man with a reputation of integrity. He says he wants to do the right thing, to keep our teams here. You want to believe him but you know how much his city wants the NBA and how he would love to be the local hero that brings them that team.

Not knowing what to do, many turn to insults and anger, pointing the finger at anyone they can. While that may provide an outlet for your frustrations, it doesn't do anything to help the situation, so you choose to stand up and fight.

You form a group, Save Our Sonics and Storm, and you learn from history.

You saw that the Mariners owners had given up and put the team up for sale, you saw the moving vans take your Seahawks to Los Angeles, and realize that sometimes these things go right down to the wire before they get resolved. You refuse to quit no matter how bad the situation looks because you know that today's boys and girls deserve to have 40 years worth of NBA and WNBA memories to mark the passing of their lives.

This isn't about how much money Clay Bennett has, or how much Ray Allen makes, or even how the new facility will be funded. It is about the quality of life and the things that make life worth living.

For some it is the arts, others it is hobbies of all kinds, but all of these things make up the fabric of a great society and they are worth fighting to keep.

So the message we are sending to Oklahoma City is don't get too excited at what you see going on in Seattle right now.

Be it the Hornets, or an expansion team, we all hope you get to have a NBA team in your fine city, but we will not allow it to be our team.

We have fought this battle before and won and will not give up. It isn't over till the moment our team tips off wearing their home uniforms in another arena.

We will get the job done, we must get the job done, because our children deserve to be raised with everything a world class city has to offer.

It isn't personal, you will feel the same way when someone tries to take your team away, but I still have my stock certificate and no one is taking my team.

Good Luck Oklahoma City.

•From the Great Northwest, home of the Seattle SuperSonics and Storm.,

Steven Pyeatt, Co-Founder, Save Our Sonics and Storm

[metro]

Interesting. While I can agree that its not a done deal yet. It's not looking good for Seattle. I'll expect we'll hear a little more tonight or tomorrow after the NBA's Board of Governor's meeting is over.

[okclee]

the Seattle Seahawks were packing up the moving trucks headed to Los Angeles , when at the last minute the legislature gave them a new arena.

[JavaDaves]

We supported a team owned by a Charlotte/New Orleans investor...

That's because we had something to prove. Seattle has nothing to prove.