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Stern's still OK with Clay, despite ugly e-mails

If you have any doubt that the Sonics'' move to Oklahoma City was orchestrated by both Clay Bennett and the NBA, you haven't read commissioner David Stern's comments on the incriminating e-mails.

Despite e-mails exchanged by Bennett and two of his partners that indicated they had no inclination to keep the team in Seattle (contrary to Bennett's claims), Stern said he believes the Sonics management acted in good faith.

“I haven’t studied them but my sense of it was that Clay, as the managing partner and the driving force of the group, was operating in good faith under the agreement that had been made with (previous owner) Howard Schultz,” Stern said on a conference call Monday. “His straight and narrow path may not have been shared by all of his partners in their views, but Clay was the one that was making policy for the partnership.”

Let's see. He didn't read the e-mails, but he still figures Clay's OK.

Wow.

How much more sordid can it get?

A June trial is scheduled concerning the city of Seattle’s lawsuit to enforce the lease and keep the team at KeyArena through 2010.

This thing isn't over. And before it's over, it should smell infinitely worse.