It was on December 2nd, 2007 when the feeling truly sunk in. In the stands, in the team, and even in the city.
At this point, the youngest team in the NBA, the Seattle SuperSonics held a record of 3-14, and it became very clear to me, that the majority of people in this city had a “who cares” attitude towards this franchise.
It seems like it was years ago that the season was fresh, and cheers of "Save Our Sonics" were present during every stoppage of play, yet it was only months ago. Delonte West looked tired. Kevin Durant looked tired. Kurt Thomas looked old. Wally Szczerbiak looked tired.
And the fans, well they looked like they came to the arena as a favor to the team, with an expression on the face of many of them which almost said “I’d rather be watching TV.”
And then there are the die-hards. The fans who watch every game with a passion, and who are truly, morally invested into the franchise.
There are very few of these fans around the Pacific Northwest, but these are the people who have felt the effects of the giant slap in the face that Clayton Bennett, Howard Schultz, and David Stern have delivered to them.
Yet with all of this happening, the diehards are still very resilient, and doing anything they can to keep the SuperSonics in the only city where they will ever belong.
But even the best of fans have become fed up over the past month. They’ve had enough of Clayton Bennett’s actions. Such as refusing to search the Puget Sound area for new grounds to build a stadium, or even little stuff, like ordering that a 22 year fan get tossed from the Arena after he simply shouted “Bennett Sucks!” in his presence.
Even though the franchise is in beautiful position be a powerhouse in the Western Conference in the next few years, with 13 draft picks over the next two years and two of the best rookies in the game today, it is still to be determined where the team will play when they reach their peak of talent.
And fans in Seattle can only continue the SOS campaign and hope that they get to see this franchise that they have supported for the past 41 years bring back another championship to the Emerald City, and continue to hope that the people of Seattle truly realize the asset that the team is to the city.
So I hope that you will join me in continuing to cheer on the Sonics and support the “Save Our Sonics” campaign.
Even if you are from Oklahoma City.
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4 months ago
"Even if you are from Oklahoma City." I am, and the "our" part of "Save OUR Sonics" is all but faded now. Thank your own citizens, Van Dyk and your local and state government over which Oklahoma City had no control. The "our" part is shortly to be transfered to Oklahoma City, thanks to them. And there you are.
from 4 months ago
We have a list, here in Seattle, of who's fault it is.
1. Howard Schultz - For leaving the entire franchise out to dry.
2. Clayton Bennett and co. - For not even giving the city a chance.
3. Government Officials - For not realizing what importance the Sonics have to the city
4. David Sterb - For letting Bennett unfairly buy and relocate a team with such an importance to the NBA
I ment nothing by the comment. I have nothing against anyone from Oklahoma City (Other than Bennett and co.) and hope them the best in getting an NBA Franchise, because they rightfully deserve one. But do you think it's fair that Bennett has done the stuff he has done? Not giving the Sonics a chance, and having absolutely no intention of making the situation better. I hope Oklahoma City all the best in their quest of getting an NBA franchise, but I'm going to do everything in my power to keep the Sonics here. Stern has made it clear that he won't go back to Seattle if the Sonics move, and after experiencing first hand what this team mans to this city, well that would be a flat out shame. Has the state government failed us? Yes. Has Shultz/Bennett? Yes. We as fans have never gotten a fair shake, and that is why we feel so robbed. Sure, Bennett had some sketch artists draw a rendition of a "possible stadium to be proposed", big deal. It would have been 90 million dollars and he did it on purpose because he knew the city had just dumped over a billion dollars on stadiums for the Mariners and the Seahawks only 7 years ago. He didn't even have a site, a budget plan or a possible architect firm to work on it. He just threw some drawings to the government officials. You can't say with a straight face that we as fans and citizens are getting a fair shake from Bennett, and that he is putting forth a noble effort to keep the team here, because he isn't. I understand that the city had the Hornets pulled out from under them and were left with nothing more than a "thank you" and a "goodbye" when they went back to New Orleans, but the Soncis remain in Seattle, and we as fans can only continue to hope that Clayton Bennett will actually listen to what we have to say instead of blowing us off and getting the Ford Center ready for an NBA season.
By the way, what is stadium like inside? I've never seen it.
4 months ago
The Sonics have been hosed at every step. Bennett and company never had any intention to keep the team in town and has done everything humanly possible to alienate the fan base. The most disappointing part is how the Commish has gone along for the ride.
Yeah, the local governments have screwed the pooch too, but no one in the Emerald City believes that this ownership group has put forth a good faith effort.
If the Sonics move to OK City, I don't think they'll last there very long. Look how poorly the NBA is doing in small souther markets like Charlotte, Memphis and New Orleans. Why would I think OK City would be any different?
4 months ago
Yeah, but will they ever come back to Seattle?
Bennett has screwed this team royally, but what can we do but mope and sue?
4 months ago
As an all around sports fan, it is very disheartening to see what is happening to the NBA.
David Stern is a lousy commissioner and only cares about catering to his friends (Bennett) and what city will bring in cash for a few initial seasons.
In a few years, the Ford Center will be an inadequate place to play professional basketball and then he will hold the citizens of Oklahoma under his fiery coals and demand them to build an new arena or else. The NBA is a broken model and something has to change…and it can begin here in Seattle.
For him to suggest that the fans don't care about the Sonics, when we've shown tremendous support over the last 40 years (through good and bad times) and especially in this current season, after being sold to an out of town owner and then dismantling the team is very insulting.
The Sonics are an important part of the Seattle’s culture and it would be a shame to discard 40 years of history. The Sonics are Seattle’s only championship team, and our 1st professional sports franchise. I still remember watching the Gary Payton and Shawn Kemp era in awe and in my opinion they produced some of the best sporting memories that Seattle has ever seen.
Whether a new arena is in the fold should depend how much the new owner is willing to contribute. The fine citizens of Seattle are still in debt from the last Key Arena re-model, the imploded Kingdom, and the current Safeco and Qwest fields. Can you blame us for not wanting to contribute huge amounts of tax dollars to make a millionaire happy? Plus, there is nothing wrong with Key Arena expect for the lease. It is a great place to watch basketball.
Evidently, tradition and history mean nothing to Mr. Stern…if the Sonics leave town it will be an outrage!
- JP
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