Happy Yom Kippur Howard
Posted on Saturday, September 22nd, 2007 at 9:53 am by Brian Robinson
The entire city is waiting…Is your soul feeling a bit weighty today?
I had an article to write here but there is no time. I really, really believe in the concept of writing Commissioner Stern via regular mail and urge you all to do so. We’ve sent a lot of letters but these could be the most impactful. Please, send a letter yourself but ALSO encourage 5 friends to send as well. The effort is really minimal and the league does listen.
Attention Commissioner Stern
NBA
Olympic Tower
645 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10022
Brian
September 22nd, 2007 at 10:51 am
I’ve written him quite a few times. It actually feels pretty rewarding and whether or not he reads them doesn’t matter to me; it allows me to get some of the nagging thoughts off my chest and I feel good knowing that I did my part in trying to get his attention.
I hope everyone here writes at least one letter, his mailbox should be full of messages from Supersonics fans.
September 22nd, 2007 at 12:14 pm
ATTN BRIAN!
When ABC was going to cancel Jericho, the fans got together to save Jericho by sending thousands and thousands of pound of “Nuts” to the top brass at ABC. The tactic worked and they brought Jericho back for another season.
The way they did it was to partner up with a Nut company (we would need to think of something else,maybe Tully’s coffee). The save Jericho website collected the funds and purchased a steady stream of nuts and kept shipping them to the top brass at ABC.
ABC looked around at their office and said “STOP SENDING NUTS, WE WILL BRING JERICHO BACK”.
Maybe we could send Coffee and ask the league to WAKE UP!!!
September 22nd, 2007 at 12:16 pm
BTW, Wouldn’t that piss old Howard off if we started sending thousands of pounds of Tully’s Coffee….The look on his face when he reads the Seattle Times would be priceless!!!!
September 22nd, 2007 at 1:25 pm
Well I did wrote to him yesterday! So I did my part!
September 22nd, 2007 at 1:29 pm
Since you brought it up Brian, I was thinking about this while watching the Colbert Report. I wondered what Howard must be thinking, then, I thought about myself as Howard. In some ways he knew what could happen, but it is hard to be that successful without looking at the potential positive side of things as the likely outcome, or why get up in the morning. In some way I think he does have to get up in the morning and know that everybody he knows connects him to the Sonics and what is happening, like it or not. He lives in society with us, maybe not me, but maybe you, but others; they know.
Then, while watching Steven Colbert, thinking about Howard; I thought about what the effect of having Yom Kippur (or something like that) would be for me (being a non-believer), how to separate myself from my negative actions and resolve to act differently in the future, where have I been unnecessarily negative beyond the basic disagreement of opinion I have with another person. I’ll admit to them, bury them, and envision myself as my ideal. Look to the past, you go there, look to the future and go there. Then a commercial came on and I forgot all about it. But, since you brought it up Brian I’ll go ahead atone here since you are on my list.
I apologize to:
Brian Robinson, our ideas of what is a journalist are not the same, that doesn’t mean that I have to be an asshole to you.
Steve Kelley, I can’t nail this down to one thing Steve, in general, I didn’t like how you were critical without providing an idea of a positive outcome for
Sonics fans (until about two weeks ago). I didn’t always do the same thing, I should not have expected that from you if I didn’t expect it from myself, besides, Mike Seely says you’re a nice guy.
Just under half of the posters here, If you didn’t care, you wouldn’t write things that I didn’t agree with, I don’t have to agree, I do have to remember that you care.
That guy that didn’t wash his hands (this could apply to anybody), I didn’t have to yell “hey, wash your hands” outside of the restroom. It was up to me to tell you that but not in such a public way.
Anybody that has read my blog, sorry for not including solutions where I have written about problems, we lead each other into the past problems or future solutions.
http://theseattlesupersonics.blogspot.com/
Steve (sonicscentral xteve), I don’t have anything for you, I just didn’t want you to feel left out.
David Locke, (this is a tough one), I really didn’t like your play-by-play, but that doesn’t mean that I had to get you fired (I’m kidding, that one is on Clay), you care about basketball and the Sonics, I have to remember that if I ever write another thing about you (not likely, sorry).
Howard Schultz, it isn’t as hard as it looks to publicly apologize to the public for a public thing, I do not expect you to apologize as I have, but I hope that I have set some kind of example for you, should you want to.
That’s the past to me and not the future me.
Nothing but sunshine and happiness, or constructive criticism from here on out.
September 22nd, 2007 at 1:38 pm
Happy Yom Kippur…. Howard? Howard who? Schultz?
September 22nd, 2007 at 1:45 pm
Howard the Schmuck
September 22nd, 2007 at 1:52 pm
I wrote Dave Stern yesterday. I 100% agree this is very important for sonics fans to do at this time. Write the guy weekly.
September 22nd, 2007 at 2:06 pm
That is an effective use of this post Mr. Baker and good use of a good tradition. Well done (I’d say) and enjoy the new feeling and good luck with your preferred approach.
September 22nd, 2007 at 2:55 pm
I agree, well said Mr Baker.
September 22nd, 2007 at 3:02 pm
I think you mean Happy Yom Kippur, David. NBA Commission David Stern is Jewish while Howard Stern who is also Jewish is a radio and TV shock jock.
September 22nd, 2007 at 3:24 pm
Uh… Sports Fan, there were a couple ideas at play there in Brian’s post. Try to keep them separate. Remember the first name of previous owner who sold us down the river? I bet you were really confused when you read Baker’s post.
September 22nd, 2007 at 3:41 pm
David Stern
Howard Schultz
Sports Fan, Howard Stern is not part of Brian’s topic, a reply introduced the Stern name to this conversation.
Mr Tate, provide solutions for others, please.
Jeopardy answer: It was other name combination that was not mentioned so far.
Who is David Schultz?
Oh great, I have to save that one for a year, or can I just atone for that now?
September 22nd, 2007 at 3:59 pm
As an actual believer, I think the least Howard can do is put up some $$ to rebuy the team… he did turn a pretty weighty profit (even for all of his boohooing about $$) when he sold. But then again starting tonight at sundown there is a new clean slate, so why dwell on the past? Lets focus on what Stern can do for us and how to bump this okie outta our city.
Also why aren’t there Sonic players sayin the same thing Lauren Jackson is about “if the team moves”? Paging Luke ridnour, Luke Ridnour your calling is here!
September 22nd, 2007 at 4:07 pm
I believe at least one-third of the league’s owners are Jewish. Most would be considerable good enough owners. I believe all have gotten arena deals in mid-length past. Herb Kohl is coming around with a second request of some kind. Schultz failed where they succeeded for many reasons including bad timing, his long delay making a firm private contribution offer and the quality of his political campaign. Bennett repeated the failure on those last 2 points.
September 22nd, 2007 at 4:12 pm
Looking ahead I think Durant and Green and others could make OKC an issue in re-signing. It is complicated and far away but I said a few months ago in the end Bennett may have to choose between OKC and winning with those players long-term.
September 22nd, 2007 at 4:16 pm
I have asked myself if Schultz might consider rebuying the team or leading an expansion group and I don’t think he will want to backtrack. Maybe as a small shareholder if asked. Perhaps he could play a role in keeping the Storm for pr and soul healing purposes.
September 22nd, 2007 at 4:22 pm
Hey,
We all new the Sonics were screwed the minute Schultz sold the team to out of towners (granted NBA by-laws forbid him from selling locally unless a new stadium deal was in place). I’m playing on writing my letter tonight, but man this just stinks. More so because we knew those Okie bastards were lying the whole time, yet they insisted on perpetuate the lie over and over again. Why would any of the other owner want to be associated with these assholes. And count the Sonics as the third time Bennett has personally tried to move a team to OKC. The first was S.A. in mid-90s, and the second was N.O. after Karina relocation to OKC.
Finally, we all knew this day was coming. I think it’s good that they broke their sell-imposed deadline, because that adds more ammo into the City’s case with arbitrator. I also think that Journal Record article is going bite them in the foot as well. Here’s hoping Stern joins are fight to keep the Sonics in Seattle, because I don’t trust the 29 other owners in NBA to block the Sonics relocation.
September 22nd, 2007 at 4:23 pm
maybe this time around he can be one of the owners and not the guy out front. most of the owners were not known to the public for a long, long time. Minor owners of many sports teams are never known to the general public.
also, he’s not the only person to make money off the sale, or off starbucks IPO, or both.
September 22nd, 2007 at 4:27 pm
“I don’t trust the 29 other owners in NBA to block the Sonics relocation. ”
It would be worth while to know what the vote is likely to be.
Paul Allen is getting a gift of a trolley that goes to nowhere, has the cazy building on the corner of the lot that could house a white elephant. He’s not likely to vote for the Sonics to relocate.
I’ll guess that’s one vote for us.
September 22nd, 2007 at 4:46 pm
The vote whenever it actually happens next spring or a year or two beyond that could be contested. Maybe Stern recommends and they follow in step or maybe not. If he doesn’t direct then I don’t think it will be near unanimous. I think it could be 20-10 either way or anywhere in between. Things might split along stable owners vs new owners or owners who see moving as a option at least in terms of increasing their franchise value. Or potentially influenced a little by red state-blue state affiliations. But most likely it will be by whichever makes the other owners the most money overall.
September 22nd, 2007 at 4:50 pm
We (and Bennett) don’t know for sure how much the league committee will require for a move. That cash to the other owners might partially offset league loss from moving to a smaller market.
But maybe not enough. I am sure they will scope it out.
September 22nd, 2007 at 4:58 pm
The fee was $30 million for Shinn to move the Hornets from Charlotte to New Orleans, two cities that probably have a smaller disparity in terms of market size than Seattle and Oklahoma City.
September 22nd, 2007 at 5:06 pm
Kevin Durant himself could end all of this tomorrow by calling a press conference and officially announcing his support to keep the team here and that he will not re-sign with the team should they move to Oklahoma City.
Bennett would sell the team within the week.
September 22nd, 2007 at 5:10 pm
Yes the passage of time and the difference in market size in that example compared to this one could change the fee size.
Expansion fee ratched up greatly over time.
The owners could do similar here or might leve it low to accomodate. I guess it partly depends how good Bennett has made owner allies.
Will Howard and the rest of the old group stay silent or will they lobby their former league partners to save the team for Seattle or save their reputations? I think sitting it out was the likely answer until strong arguments could be made that Bennett failed to fully live up to promises of good faith efforts. I hope they use that to motivate themselves into some form of effort whether it be lobbying owners or Stern or helping with trying to gather support for a new arena here or a new owner.
September 22nd, 2007 at 5:10 pm
“Also why aren’t there Sonic players sayin the same thing Lauren Jackson is about “if the team moves”? Paging Luke ridnour, Luke Ridnour your calling is here! ”
Lauren Jackson may be the best female player in the world. There isn’t a Sonic yet who has that clout, though there is a young man with some potential…he might feel that way in five years or so, but not yet.
None of the other players have been as outspoken from the Storm, because LJ is so good she can basicly do what she wants. If we had Lebron or Shaq (five years ago), or Kobe or MJ back in the day they might feel comfortable talking. Also LJ would foreit around $100K…not hundreds of millions.
September 22nd, 2007 at 5:14 pm
Ninja it is possible Durant and the Goodwins could be a weighty player in this, if they feel the issue. They probably won’t at least for 2 years but after that or even now they don’t have much reason to be meek. He and they have the shoe contract and supreme cache and plenty of power to get big money elsewhere later.
September 22nd, 2007 at 5:16 pm
Durant has to fall for Seattle first though.
Will he summer here next year?
September 22nd, 2007 at 5:20 pm
Will Durant love his role, his teammates and staff, his on the court prospects? Retaining him is a big ball of wax for Bennet, Presti and PJ. He could easily go 5 years and out to LA or the southwest or the east coast- unless things come together and work well, so well that other good situations arent worth the effort to pursue.
September 22nd, 2007 at 5:23 pm
I’ve said before that 2 playoffs in next 4-5 years is my minimum for judging Presti and PJ successes. Durant likely to demand that much or more. Hard to leave a 50 win team very competitive in at least 2nd round. Not so hard to leave a 45 win team barely getting into playoffs and quickly exitting or less.
September 22nd, 2007 at 5:43 pm
Sometimes athletes don’t necessarily fall for the city or the team but they fall for a local woman. But Lewis shows that a hometown sweetie doesn’t necessarily trump money and hoped for success and accolades offered elsewhere.
Lots of teams will stalk (plan their cap trying to set up opportunity to take) Durant if he proves worth it.
September 22nd, 2007 at 5:58 pm
Durant would endear himself to Seattle fans if he made a statement about living not resigning if the team moves to OKC.
I believe that Mr. Bennett will continue to emasculate the team by trading away all of your established or local-product players. Ridnour from Whatcom County will be gone soon, if my theory is correct. The owners are rich enough to chase away Seattle fans just so they can say the team can’t make money in Seattle.
September 22nd, 2007 at 6:00 pm
I mistyped that.
Durant would endear himself to Seattle fans if he made a statement that he would refuse to re-sign with the team if it moves to OKC.
September 22nd, 2007 at 6:14 pm
For Yom Kipper I’ll ask forgiveness in advance for the hardship I am going to inflict on our friends in OKC.
September 22nd, 2007 at 6:24 pm
For Yom Kipper I’d like to apologize to all the ones who disagree with me…doesn’t make you right…but I apologize
J/K…even though some of us can be d!cks sometimes (yes even me that ONE time)…I do appreciate the community that has developed here at this site. This site more than anything keeps me a Sonics fan…which is weird you’d think being a Sonics fan would make me go to this site…
September 22nd, 2007 at 7:13 pm
“Paul Allen is getting a gift of a trolley that goes to nowhere, has the cazy building on the corner of the lot that could house a white elephant. He’s not likely to vote for the Sonics to relocate.
I’ll guess that’s one vote for us.” — Mr Baker
I disagree. We have zero support from Paul Allen as a Blazer, Paul Allen as a Seahawk, and the Mariners owners. They WANT the Sonics to leave so more entertainment $$$ goes their way. Paul would have THE pro-hoops team in the NW.
I wish the Hawks and Mariners would voice their support in a big way but it won’t happen. They got theirs already so why help out the competition?
When its their turn again they won’t get my support.
September 22nd, 2007 at 7:24 pm
Nice thought on KD saying something like I’ll never re-sgin in OKC - but he is locked up with this organization for 4 years - Can’t blame him if he does not do that - it would make for a LONG year or 2 in OKC. Probably not fair to pin that expectation on him?
September 22nd, 2007 at 7:34 pm
Brian sez - - “For Yom Kipper I’ll ask forgiveness in advance for the hardship I am going to inflict on our friends in OKC.”
This one’s for you Brian. Great work. We owe you big. I hope there will be a material reward at the end of the tunnell for you.
September 22nd, 2007 at 9:57 pm
Lauren Jackson has said in the past that if the Storm leave Seattle, she might be done with the WNBA. She is to the point in her career where she has options back home and really loves Seattle. Like others have said, the money she’d be leaving isn’t nearly what the NBA guys would be risking. She is saying what she is because for her it’s pretty much Seattle or bust.
September 23rd, 2007 at 1:43 pm
If KD wants to make newspaper headlines and create buzz, voicing his support for Seattle is a superb way to get positive publicity. Besides that, he would endear himself to Seattle fans, who would come out and root for him that much stronger. While Brittney Spears has to run around without underwear to get attention, Durant could get great publicity without the negatives. As for risking the wrath of OKC fans, well that would be trivial, as they would have to accept a superstar under any conditions. Lots of players have to eat their words and play where they are sent. Kevin Garnett said he wouldn’t play in Boston, then changed his mind. Happens all the time.
September 23rd, 2007 at 4:18 pm
Whether he says it, or not, I doubt that OKC is the most attractive place for KD to spend his career. If the Sonics DO go there with one yr left on his deal, then I think it would ONLY be fitting if he “relocates” as well, & I think their’s a great chance of that happening, & I hope it does happen (if the Sonics take off).
If he says it now though(sure we’d all love him even more for it), but with the fact that he’s a rookie, combined with Prestis’ trigger finger(in regards to making trades), he might be a little reluctant to say anything at this point…
September 23rd, 2007 at 7:44 pm
KD chose to go to school in Austin, Tx, a city not unlike OKC.
The Hornets loved it in OKC, Byron Scott and Chris Paul both bought and slill own homes there.
September 23rd, 2007 at 8:04 pm
Come on.
Austin’s heads above Okie Dokieville. BTW Durant’s from Maryland.
September 23rd, 2007 at 9:54 pm
epx–
Presti is not about to trade Durant anywhere regardless of what he says about whether he wants to be in Seattle or not. The team is being built around KD and Green.
————————————————
I don’t think that Austin is too much like OKC, quicker. Personally, I don’t give a bleep about the Hornets or Byron Scott right now. They can have their own private tea party in OKC, but, our guys are staying put and fulfilling their lease. OKC should start looking for an expansion team.
September 23rd, 2007 at 10:09 pm
Mr. Baker article advocating an arena solution between Cly’s dream and what we and OKC have right now.
http://theseattlesupersonics.blogspot.com/
Steve Kelley advocating roughly the same.
I’d go for it too if it can work.
I’d go for a new full cost arena too with proper financial arrangements and perhaps a modest delay in start time.
Nickels has called Bennett to negotiate and reinterated past general proposals and held out some possibility of new arena. I’d like him to go further and make his preferred or best offer and / or react to Robinson / Van Dyk concept. I’d say the same for Clay of course.
September 24th, 2007 at 12:49 am
James B, I’m not saying Presti WOULD trade him, but what I said is that he HAS shown to have a trigger finger already, and for that reason, & others, I doubt that KD will ever comment in a way that we’d love him to. Kevin Durants first moments as a Sonic saw the franchise player being shipped unexpectedly in a questionable trade(at the time), & I’m sure that caught KDs attention in more than one way, & if it didn’t send a message to him, I think it definitely sent a message to the rest of the team, as well as the fans.
Also, in regards to the OKC comment I’m operating under the assumption that KD could be a Kobe/Lebron type player, not a Chris Paul type player, & it’s well known that Kobe/Lebron type players are definitely catered for the top markets. Sure Lebron’s in Cleveland(his home town, or state), but even in spite of that there’s already rumors about the Knicks(whether there’s anything to the rumors is another story), but it’s just kind of the reality of the NBA that the biggest stars, are usually prime candidates for the biggest markets. Maybe KD is different, but I also think that choosing colleges is alot different for players than choosing professional teams. KD probably knew he wouldn’t be at Texas long anyway, but choosing a team to play for in his professional career might be different than choosing a college program to play for. Different factors involved imo..
September 24th, 2007 at 7:55 am
Austin’s landscape and climate is more like OKC but the city economically and socially is more like Seattle but maybe you’d get it closer to right with at least a little OKC mixed in. But he was only there a year. Durant mainly knows D.C. Who knows what he likes or want in the future but Seattle is far more like DC than OKC in a lot of ways, though not in one potentially quite important way (ethnically). Often the city doesnt matter much to the athlete during the season and they can summer or vacation anywhere. Winning and money on and off court will matter most but lifestyle could factor in some. Hopefully KD finds stuff he likes up here, surprisingly to local observers some athletes apparently don’t and vote with their feet wanting more club life (& dating preferences), or warmer weather or whatever. We know his bio but now we get to know more, closer to the real person. At least for awhile.
September 24th, 2007 at 10:32 am
epx–
I wouldn’t really call Presti “trigger happy” yet. He’s still building his history as GM of our team, and he’s really only made one trade of note, aquiring Green and Delonte. Plus, the move for K.T. All that he’s trying to do is to shape our future around KD, Green, Swift, and a few other players. That’s not to say that KD is untouchable. All of the moves that he made were built around KD being our franchise player and improving our defense. Unfortunately, you just can’t build a team around All Stars who don’t play defense like Lewis and Allen. I enjoyed the 2005 season as much as anyone, however, I think Presti is taking the right direction now. To imply that he’s “trigger happy” so KD should keep his lips sealed doesn’t make much sense to me.
As far as KD speaking out goes, he already did make a comment several months ago after he was drafted that he didn’t really care one way or another if the team moved or not. I think he just wants to have a successful career and to live the dream of being an NBA player. He also has said publicly, however, that the transition to living in Seattle has been a lot easier because of having other guys from the Maryland/DC area on the team, and I believe he said that Seattle feels more and more like home.
September 24th, 2007 at 10:34 am
James B, I’m not saying Presti WOULD trade him, but what I said is that he HAS shown to have a trigger finger already, and for that reason, & others, I doubt that KD will ever comment in a way that we’d love him to. Kevin Durants first moments as a Sonic saw the franchise player being shipped unexpectedly in a questionable trade(at the time), & I’m sure that caught KDs attention in more than one way, & if it didn’t send a message to him, I think it definitely sent a message to the rest of the team, as well as the fans.
- To think that at this point KD really cares about Seattle or OKC is just silly. There is no reason that he would come out and stick up for Seattle…and honestly, I’m not really sure why he would do it. What does he care about Seattle??
September 24th, 2007 at 11:49 am
The city of Seattle is bringing a suit against the Sonics to enforce the lease! Brief article here:
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2003899697_websonics25m.html
September 24th, 2007 at 11:51 am
Check out seattletimes.com Looks like we’re ready to sure the sonics, the battle has begun:
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2003899697_websonics25m.html
September 24th, 2007 at 12:00 pm
“To think that at this point KD really cares about Seattle or OKC is just silly. There is no reason that he would come out and stick up for Seattle…and honestly, I’m not really sure why he would do it. What does he care about Seattle??”
I agree on that.
September 24th, 2007 at 12:13 pm
“Bennett said he wants a panel of impartial arbitrators to “bring some clarity” to the lease — specifically on the question of whether the Sonics simply can pay a cash settlement to leave KeyArena before the lease expires in 2010.”
Because you didn’t check this out thoroughly before you spent $350 million on the team? The guy is a walking Monty Python skit.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y05EmK66Gsk
September 24th, 2007 at 12:29 pm
“Because you didn’t check this out thoroughly before you spent $350 million on the team?”
You’d think that might have been one of those crossing the t’s and dotting the i’s details that might need to have been looked into.
September 24th, 2007 at 12:30 pm
Just for kicks, take a few minutes to compare and contrast the strength and validity of Bennett’s Arbitration document and the lawsuit the City filed today.
Priceless.
September 24th, 2007 at 12:45 pm
Reading the City’s filing today made me proud to be a Seattlite.
Looks like ClayClay is about to get what’s coming to him.
September 24th, 2007 at 12:47 pm
It’s interesting to note how “artfully and skillfully” Slade Gorton has “inserted himself” into the legal situation with the Sonics.
September 24th, 2007 at 1:41 pm
I agree on that too Myk. I think some people might be thinking within the 3 year period though, that maybe after his rookie year, or something like that(he might say something) if that’s not too late.
At least that’s what I was thinking, but there was no need to quote ME on that(unless u got something personal against me), as I’m not the one who initiated the idea of KD saying something. In fact I was saying that he probably wouldn’t…
September 24th, 2007 at 10:33 pm
Courtsense–
Yeah, you are right. Slade has really been a gem so far. His past experiences with defending our other pro sports teams have made him the perfect weapon for combating Clay. It’s interesting how he and the other lawyers are now using what Aubrey M. said against Clay. Everything that they said and did in the past can and will be used against them. You’ve got to love it.
————————————————–
The argument that the lack of success in Key Arena is more about the team’s inability to put forth a successful team (”to defend the pick and roll”) than about the actual terms of the lease and the venue is interesting to me. I think that the idea holds a lot more water since the politicians of the city have never been against rennovating the venue (Key Arena) to make it more competitive. It’s also interesting to note that the proposed replacement arena on the Muckleshoot’s land wouldn’t really seat very many more fans than Key Arena; I believe the proposal is for an 18,500 seat arena–$452 million. (I’m all for the Muckleshoots’ idea; that’s just an observation.)
At the time when Key Arena went up, I think that a lot of the Sonics’ front office felt that the smaller intimate arenas like the one the Kings had would be the trend. They were wrong, but, 18,500 doesn’t seem that much bigger to me. Of course, there are a lot more reasons that our venue and lease aren’t the best other than the number of seats. But, Clay does make himself seem like a stubborn mule when he completely eliminates the idea of rennovating the Key. Having KD makes the terms of any lease seem a bit sweeter.
September 25th, 2007 at 2:26 pm
I agree that writing David Stern a letter would be an effective method for showing seattle’s support for the sonics, but I also believe that calling his office and leaving a message would be an effective method aswell.
David Stern (212) 407-8300
April 14th, 2008 at 11:01 pm
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