Credit to Steve Pyeatt
Posted on Friday, May 9th, 2008 at 8:03 am by Brian Robinson
Thanks to Steve Kelley for a nice article and also to Tim Ciess for his kind comments.
I need to take this opportunity to really give a lot more credit to Steve Pyeatt and the rest of the SOS gang. Steve is the co-founder. He’s the guy who set this up and asked me to be involved in, and he has been an absolute rock. Somehow the last couple of articles have credited me as the “director” and failed to give him the credit he is due. Thank you Steve.
May 9th, 2008 at 8:32 am
I really enjoyed today’s Kelley piece on SOS.
Thanks, Brian, Steve, and everyone else (even Myk) for fighting the good fight!
May 9th, 2008 at 8:33 am
I was never a big Steve Kelley fan but he has been more than supportive when it comes to Saving the Sonics. For a guy who ripped the team for so many years he still understands this is Seattle’s team. The SOS guys were not taken seriously by Bennett and that was a big mistake. Always beaten by the little guy!!
May 9th, 2008 at 8:44 am
Again, Clay(and PBC) reminds me of Biff from Back to the Future 3. Remember the shoot out scene where Michael J, Fox is wearing an iron plate underneath his clothes and gets shot, only to pop up when Biff is standing over him and smashing him in the face. Well, same situation here. Clay and company thought they had dropped a .40 cal slug in our chest. Little did he know that we had a cast iron skillet strapped to our chest and now it’s right upside his smug, fat face. Hehehe….where Doc when you need him…GREAT SCOTT!!!
May 9th, 2008 at 9:05 am
God Bless you Steve and Brian! It’s really helpful and important to us to hear the updates, mostly from Brian, on what lawyers or the city are saying (just as it was neat to hear some of the inside Supes scoop when Brian had access a couple years ago). Keep up the good work!!
May 9th, 2008 at 9:18 am
In light of the Steve Kelley piece, I was just thinking about how come a group of loosely affiliated fans with almost no funding and no formal standing can stand toe to toe with all the money and power in play in situation like this. It’s simple, I think. It’s the old Harry Truman quote:
“I never give them hell. I just tell the truth and they think it’s hell.”
Keep it up. There’s power in the truth…
May 9th, 2008 at 9:26 am
Great article! This is the kind of positive news story I’ve been waiting for all along. In such a dramatic chain of events, it’s easy to get lost in the lying, cheating, and stealing that has been happening. Sometimes I feel the local writers have reported too heavily about the negative, and not enough on the positive fan support that has been growing.
But this Kelley article is exactly what I want to see, the stories of the fans still fighting to save the team, chanting SOS at games, paying for banners to be flown over the city…
go sonics!!
May 9th, 2008 at 9:41 am
I’m a little confused about which Steve is which Steve. (I apologize for my ignorance).
Is Steve Pyett “Xteve” from the ESPN forum a few years ago?
May 9th, 2008 at 9:49 am
Dude - it’s spelled CEIS.
You write about the guy every day, check the spelling.
May 9th, 2008 at 10:06 am
Here’s your answer, Z4EC.
http://sonicscentral.com/blog/?p=1889
May 9th, 2008 at 10:13 am
Sonics Round table 12pm-12:30pm
with Eric Williams and Greg Johns
May 9th, 2008 at 10:14 am
That’s ok Brian, just don’t let it happen again or i’ll have to get Clay’s wife to come kick your butt.
What has made this group work so well for 2 years now is that Brian and I don’t have any real ego issues when it comes to the group (That doesn’t get us out of treatment for our other ego problems though.
). Neither one of us cares who gets the credit for something as long as it gets done.
This is a good problem to have. In the begining we were thrilled just to get any media coverage at all. We were on the outside looking in so even a passing mention in the media was cause for excitement. Now we are at the point where we have to watch what we say and do because the media is following us that closely.
A good example was our volunteer meeting. We intentionally limited who was invited to the meeting to keep it from getting unmanagable. As a result we had just enough people to be productive. Had we put the invite out to the whole list we would have been unable to get the work done. But in our haste to throw that meeting together in a couple days we learned a couple valuable lessons. One was that the media is watching and showed up and then we had feelings hurt because it wasn’t a rally it was for planning purposes. The other was that whenever we do something there are people who are looking for ways to undermine what we do so we now have to be careful how we manage our information.
It is a good problem to have but it is a new problem for us.
May 9th, 2008 at 10:16 am
1.where is the article I want to read it. 2.sonics roundtable on kjr at 12 today if anyone cares
May 9th, 2008 at 10:18 am
1.where is the article I want to read it. 2.sonics roundtable on kjr at 12 today if anyone cares
May 9th, 2008 at 10:43 am
T~ the article should be on the Times website but I didn’t see it either. By the way I’m another chick who is a devoted Sonics fan as well! : )
This just in…any news that rules in the city’s favor is good from my point of view.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sonics/2004402471_sonics09m.html
May 9th, 2008 at 10:47 am
I have got to believe Slade & Ceis are chomping at the bit to get this trial going and Howard’s lawyers are really smiling at the thought of getting Clay & Stern under oath.
May 9th, 2008 at 11:11 am
That’s a great article — Kelley has indeed been a nice supporter throughout this. I think the best thing about SOS has been that it is a great thing for the ‘official’ players on our side of this game (i.e. The City of Seattle, Schultz, the Mayor) to be able to point to the whole time this thing plays out. SOS has really singlehandedly prevented the other side from making that “seattle doesn’t care” argument, that you know they’d love to make.
Keep up the great work.
May 9th, 2008 at 11:34 am
“I never give them hell. I just tell the truth and they think it’s hell.”
glennpdx, I absolutely LOVE that quote from President Harry S. Truman - ol’ ‘Give-em-Hell’ Harry. Truer words were never spoken. That is all we really need to do here. If we can get the full truth out to the American public, then David Stern and Clay Bennett are definitely going to think they’re in HELL! We’ve already seen what a distaste David Stern has for the truth. When Aubrey McLendon told a simple truth and dared to penetrate David and Clay’s charade, he got wallopped with a $250,000 fine. That’s how badly David Stern needs to keep everyone under his thumb to make things work his way.
Aubrey McLendon dared to say that the Emporer had no clothes on and that did not fit with David Stern’s reality, so he was going to make sure that he brought NBA ‘reality’ back into plain view, and that all the owners would then fall in line behind his plan. And Viola’, it worked. He stifled any questions about this move well enough with the fine, so all the little automaton owners fell into step (might I say Goose-step?) and overwhelmingly passed the relocation of the Sonics from Seattle to Oklahoma City (that is sooo frickin’ absurd when you think about it). When David Stern ends up going down over this, what are those owners going to say who approved of this move? I imagine they are going to claim ignorance, and that they were misled by Clay Bennett and David Stern (but not by Aubrey McLendon).
I suspect that the owners will be more than willing to dump David Stern and Clay Bennett to wash their hands of this whole affair once the heat is turned up a little more. And David Stern, as arrogant as he is and as untouchable as he THINKS he is, has to be starting to sweat a little bit. He has to know that we will come after him relentlessly if he moves the Sonics to OKC, and we will not rest until the “king” is dethroned. I really hope that we get to see him on the witness stand at trial. That will be so much fun. Of course, he’s a professional liar, but liars always get caught in their lies. We are just going to tell the truth and David and Clay are going to think that they are in Hell!
May 9th, 2008 at 11:35 am
“I never give them hell. I just tell the truth and they think it’s hell.”
glennpdx, I absolutely LOVE that quote from President Harry S. Truman - ol’ ‘Give-em-Hell’ Harry. Truer words were never spoken. That is all we really need to do here. If we can get the full truth out to the American public, then David Stern and Clay Bennett are definitely going to think they’re in HELL! We’ve already seen what a distaste David Stern has for the truth. When Aubrey McLendon told a simple truth and dared to penetrate David and Clay’s charade, he got wallopped with a $250,000 fine. That’s how badly David Stern needs to keep everyone under his thumb to make things work his way.
Aubrey McLendon dared to say that the Emporer had no clothes on and that did not fit with David Stern’s reality, so he was going to make sure that he brought NBA ‘reality’ back into plain view, and that all the owners would then fall in line behind his plan. And Viola’, it worked. He stifled any questions about this move well enough with the fine, so all the little automaton owners fell into step (might I say Goose-step?) and overwhelmingly passed the relocation of the Sonics from Seattle to Oklahoma City (that is sooo frickin’ absurd when you think about it). When David Stern ends up going down over this, what are those owners going to say who approved of this move? I imagine they are going to claim ignorance, and that they were misled by Clay Bennett and David Stern (but not by Aubrey McLendon).
I suspect that the owners will be more than willing to dump David Stern and Clay Bennett to wash their hands of this whole affair once the heat is turned up a little more. And David Stern, as arrogant as he is and as untouchable as he THINKS he is, has to be starting to sweat a little bit. He has to know that we will come after him relentlessly if he moves the Sonics to OKC, and we will not rest until the “king” is dethroned. I really hope that we get to see him on the witness stand at trial. That will be so much fun. Of course, he’s a professional liar, but liars always get caught in their lies. We are just going to tell the truth and David and Clay are going to think that they are in Hell!
May 9th, 2008 at 11:40 am
Did anyone post this link to the Steve Kelley article yet?
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/stevekelley/2004402280_kelley09.html
May 9th, 2008 at 11:47 am
“Is Steve Pyett “Xteve” from the ESPN forum a few years ago? ”
Nope, that’s me.
Scorp Dogg says hi to everyone by the way - just got a myspace message from him yesterday … talk about blasts from the past!
May 9th, 2008 at 11:49 am
Holy crap, that is an awful picture of Brian. Someone dig that one out of the school yearbook or something?
May 9th, 2008 at 11:50 am
That’s a very nice article about Save Our Sonics and the integral role that we all have played in keeping the Sonics in Seattle, of course led by Steve Pyeatt and Brian Robinson.
But the cool thing is that there are so many of us - more and more every day who will jump aboard when they realize that we really can win this thing and keep the Sonics in Seattle.
http://tinyurl.com/3k7mlv
May 9th, 2008 at 11:59 am
You guys are awesome-I am so proud of you all. There are supporters East of the Cascades. Erin Brokovich comes to mind. No one knew who she was. EVERYONE does NOW!!!
May 9th, 2008 at 12:18 pm
Everyone is being real low-key on the Roundtable–wise—don’t get too excited about the Judges rulings-just preliminary..
May 9th, 2008 at 12:19 pm
The past tense of the intransitive verbs is really bothering me. I understand the point and point of view of the story, but I think there should have been a transition from identifying the persona of SOS to this point to the obvious and yet needed requirement to point out that this is far from over, that there is more to do, and that more people that may have time to help should be incouraged to help.
Other than the picture of Brian that makes him look too much like Chris Griffin (and that aint right), the story was pretty good.
http://www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Griffin
“Is Steve Pyett “Xteve” from the ESPN forum a few years ago? ”
No, and Steve Pyett was not “King Coolwhip” either
mmm, cool and deliscious non-dairy whipped topping.
He didn’t work at Taco Bell near the airport, does not have a 3 foot high kid n’ play afro either.
I have, in a former life, been know on the ESPN boards as Payton_for_3 but that’s two ownerships back now. I sometimes go there to lurk at the huddled masses.
But I digress.
May 9th, 2008 at 1:05 pm
I enjoyed the kelley article…thanks for posting a link. I did not enjoy the round table on kjr. The guys they had on said they expect a settlement is more likely then going through the trial.I really hope that’s not the case.we don’t need to setle for a promise of a future team.that is ridiculous to me. Hopefully they are wrong cuz I want to see us fight this til the end win or lose. Thank you again to steve and brian and all other for all ur doing to save OUR sonics
May 9th, 2008 at 1:33 pm
I didn’t listen to the round table but I do have to say that I fully expect a settlement as well.
Clay Bennett is going to chewed up and spit out into little pieces over the next couple years. They know this, they can talk tough all they want, but it isn’t going to gain them anything to prove they can get beat to within an inch of their life and survive.
Cooler heads MUST prevail and that means a deal cut that is a win/win for everyone.
Now if they are talking about a cash only settlement, or something with a vague “maybe down the road” deal for a team, no, that is NEVER going to happen. We will ride this out and keep whatever is left after we abuse Clay like a rented mule before we go that route.
Continuous presence of a team named the Sonics. Nothing less will do and frankly right now Clay has to start worrying about this seriously impacting his “real life”.
May 9th, 2008 at 2:18 pm
Just wanted to thank everybody at SOS for all your efforts. We wont ever forget all the hard work youve done for us and for this city. SAVE OUR SONICS!
May 9th, 2008 at 2:39 pm
The tables are turning. Now is the time to keep our wits about us and improve. We have some down time till the court dates so lets follow through on our ideas and have some fun at the same time…
NEXT STOP OLYMPIA.. Get time off now at work the more people the better!!
MONDAY JUNE 16th Olympia Rally!!
May 9th, 2008 at 3:14 pm
Thanks Steve from the bottom of my heart. I also agree with you on monitoring what you say because” anything you say, may or will be used against you”. Aubrey Mclendon knows, and after winning litigation lawsuits myself it’s better to step back and let people “hang themselves”.
May 9th, 2008 at 3:15 pm
Zonics, I think we are rallying in Seattle on June 16th at the Federal Courthouse where the trial will be held, right? Unless the Federal Courthouse is in Olympia. That wasn’t my understanding, though. According to the KJR RoundTable with Softy, Eric Williams of the TNT, and Greg Johns of the P-I they expect a settlement before the trial. I’m not so sure about that. Hopefully not, unless it includes us keeping our Sonics with no interruptions.
May 9th, 2008 at 6:07 pm
At least Oklahoma City can take credit for being number one in something:
Regarding the Nationwide Junk Food survey -
“Oklahoma City ranked in the top 10 of all eight categories surveyed. Folks in the area like all sorts of junk food, but they’re particularly keen on snacks like potato chips and pretzels, as well as cookies and ice cream. In these categories, the market ranked Nos. 1, 2 and 2, respectively. Eating habits like these might be contributing to the city’s 27.5% obesity rate.”
I believe they are also in the top 5 States in percent of citizens who are obese and they got some recognition for being the least fit State in the Union and we all know that Oklahoma City was voted the 5th biggest Hell Hole on Earth! The biggest Hell Hole in the United States! When they don’t get their NBA team, at least they can comfort themselves with a big dish of cookie dough ice cream and a couple of Ding-Dongs. I almost feel sorry for these people. No wonder they want to steal our team so badly. There is nothing in Oklahoma City to live for. This would give meaning and purpose to their existence (like it does to many of us). I’m afraid that there are going to be mass suicides when they discover that they won’t be getting the Sonics in OKC. We may need to start a Humanitarian effort to get them an expansion team to give them something to live for.
May 9th, 2008 at 7:11 pm
where ever the snakes are we will be too.
May 9th, 2008 at 7:16 pm
Zonics - agreed.
May 10th, 2008 at 12:44 pm
“I have, in a former life, been know on the ESPN boards as Payton_for_3 but that’s two ownerships back now. I sometimes go there to lurk at the huddled masses.”
How funny - I think I remember you from back in those days. I used to go on the ESPN boards also (around 1999-2001 or so) and my name on there was hpy_gilmore8
I remember Steve on there as Xteve also…
May 10th, 2008 at 6:05 pm
“No, and Steve Pyett was not “King Coolwhip” either
mmm, cool and deliscious non-dairy whipped topping.”
http://youtube.com/watch?v=lich59xsjik
February 7th, 2009 at 9:50 am
SAVE OUR SONICS TRIP TO PORTLAND
My name is Josh Peter, I’m a reporter for Yahoo Sports and I’m trying to get in touch with members of the SOS organization for a story I’m writing about the Blazers-Thunder game Wednesday.
If you can help me reach members of SOS, please call me at 310-384-0549.
Thanks!
Josh