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Dangling Participles

July 3, 2008

More thoughts on Sonics, Stern and former fans

Posted at 10:58 am by John Sleeper

A few more thoughts on the Sonics fiasco.

Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels says he has assurances from David Stern and the NBA that they will "notify" him if a financially struggling team or an expansion opportunity comes available.

Apparently, that was good enough for Seattle officials.

"Notify" him. That's a good one. Stern must not think we have the Internet available here. We'll know. We'll know before the NBA has to "notify" us. The country knew years ago what a financial bind the Sonics were in before Stern felt the need to "notify" Clay Bennett. Yet, Nickels made it sound as though Stern was doing him some great favor by making that concession.

Well, Nickels earned the city $45 million for the city, with the potential of $30 million more. He must be feeling pretty good about life. All it cost was a basketball team.

Second, Nickel seemed sure that the NBA is open to the idea of bringing a team back to Seattle. Based on what? Stern orchestrated the Sonics' exit. He ignored Bennett's e-mails that clearly indicated a violation of good-faith bargaining and a refusal to lift a finger to keep the team in Seattle. Stern just couldn't be bothered by that. And now we're supposed to believe he'll give an effort to bring Seattle a team? Give me a break.

I hope you as a fan are angered by this. The public did all it could to suport a basketball team for 41 years, even through some pretty dismal seasons. A popular theme on Oklahoma City message boards is that the team left because lack of fan support.

That, of course, is bullfeathers.

The team is gone because of neglect from those in power. It's gone because our elected officials and former owner Howard Schultz made it easy for Clay Bennett and raid the place. He lied and lied and lied some more. And he got away with it because those who were supposed to protect and care for the team fell down on the job.

You as fans did everything in your power to keep the team, yet you've been slapped in the face for it. Yes, I hope you're angry.

And I hope you remember how angry you are come Election Day.

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Supersonics
I agree whole heartedly that the plight of the Sonics is directly due to the Mayor and city council. They left the previous owner in an impossible situation forcing a sale and then stick their head in the sand based on an existing contract. Whats more unbelievable is that they agree to the buy out allowing the team to move. The chances of a replacement team are zero to none. Stern has already expressed his opinion of Seattle early on during the negotiations with Bennett.
Tim Traynor | Jul 4, 2008 9:16 am | 0 replies | View all | Post reply | Request removal

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