HOPE
Posted on Saturday, February 14th, 2009 at 9:50 am by Brian Robinson
My what a toll the roller coaster takes on me.
Good news from Olympia this morning. Ross Hunter has kept very, very quiet on this issue. I am going to go out on a limb and say that this would not have made the front page unless he felt reasonably good about things.
I woke up yesterday suddenly realizing that this is going to get done. Very little basis behind the feelings. A snippet of conversation with Ross. A change of inflection in the voice of people at the city. Small stuff overall but I suddenly just think it is going to happen. I am imagining how it is going to feel when it gets done and the tail end of things I will have had very, very little to do with.
It has never been about me and I will be thrilled to stand aside and let whoever wants the podium have it.
Two weeks ago I was just so,so down on our prospects. Like I said the roller coaster is amazing. I want to throw big kudos out to Sonics fans. The fact that this site still stands, the hip hop show, the Portland game, the continued interest on sports radio, etc. is really amazing. I use the word “unprecedented” a lot when talking about our actions post-departure. I don’t think any community has ever salvaged so much dignity and retained so much interest and dedication in the wake of their team leaving as we have. Maybe I have something to do with that. Maybe it is all Balmer. Maybe Greg Nickels salvaging a plan that had some glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel was what it took. I know that it is inspiring and I thank you all. People are noticing nationwide.
Meanwhile Sacramento is getting really, really bad. I think they are going to leave. The plan there has been flawed since the moment the real estate and credit crisis hit. At the same time the generous owners, the Maloofs are getting absolutely nailed in Las Vegas where spending has plumetted and record profits have turned to massive losses. Ailene with the Sac. Bee is one of the best basketball journalists around and she has a good head for these things. When talking to her a year ago she thought there was no chance the team could leave. The owners were too dedicated, the league too cooperative, and the fans too loving. Now she says “everything has changed.” and people are considering things they never considered before.
When I was at the board of governor meetings in New York last year I got to talk to Joe Maloof for a while and he was a tremendous guy. I then spent nearly an hour talking with a good friend of his and I asked why the Maloofs had voted for the relocation when they were such fan friendly owners. The answer was that things had the potential to turn ugly in Sacramento and that eventually the Maloofs had to understand that they could be in the same position in a couple of years.
The Kings will lose in excess of $25M this year. It is a sad time for Sacramento fans.
I don’t know the details of this alternative plan proposed by Hunter but it is spun just right in this article. If Ross is somehow successful I am already considering the party. I want everybody to know just how much I will look forward to seeing you all there.
February 14th, 2009 at 9:59 am
Let’s hope we can all party soon….a green and gold party!
February 14th, 2009 at 10:08 am
“Hunter would not offer specifics, saying he is awaiting approval from House Speaker Frank Chopp, D-Seattle.”
This isn’t as scary as it sounds is it?
February 14th, 2009 at 10:18 am
It is absolutely GREAT that Ross is talking to Chopp. Someone needs to.
You cannot avoid the Speaker. He has to be dealt with. Ross wouldn’t have put this in the paper if Chopp hadn’t looked at it yet.
Don’t forget to post encouraging comments in the PI soundoff.
February 14th, 2009 at 10:38 am
Please let this work! I truly miss watching the Sonics and I can’t be in around Seattle Center and lower Queen Anne without feeling a sense of loss. HOPE!
February 14th, 2009 at 10:45 am
Thanks Brian.
I would LOVE to return to Seattle with a Seattle Center and arena plan going forward.
February 14th, 2009 at 11:10 am
I very much miss watching basketball as well but it is almost painful to do so. Seeing KD go off for 46 last night in the rookie sophomore game was even more painful. Living here in Sacramento though has been interesting. I was able to attend a game earlier this season and i was shocked to see how the attendance has plummetted. It was almost embarrassing to see how a once proud city who sold out so many games year after year has basically disappeared. Obviously there are other issues with the poor economy and all but there were probably less than 9,000 at the game i was at. The only sections that were almost full were in the upper bowl and behind the baskets where the tix were $10 a piece. I would not be surprised at all to see the same sad thing happen to the Kings as what happened to the Sonics. The only initiative that was on the ballot here last year for a new arena was voted down by the Sac County voters fairly overwhelmingly, but they do seem to have more support from Stern and his thugs that we did in Seaettle. They also have a very supportive Mayor in Kevin Johnson, but who knows what will happen.
February 14th, 2009 at 11:10 am
I don’t want to get my hopes up but this is definitely very positive news. I just want Chopp’s “decision” to come soon so that this thing gets over with.
February 14th, 2009 at 11:27 am
This does sound promising and I have always been hopeful that something will work out! I hope this plan works and that Chopp will be receptive and hear Ross Hunter out. Sounds like it would be a win-win for all involved.
I want to go watch my Supes again!!
February 14th, 2009 at 11:28 am
Watching KD last night actually play basketball (and dominate on his way to game MVP) in the Soph-Rookie challenge reignited my disdain for any and all state and Seattle politicos currently in power.
They cost the city the future of the NBA in KD, Green, and Westbrook.
Sad, sad, sad, but mucho congrats to KD for bringing it. I was so enamored, I even bought his OKC-themed bball shoes last night.
February 14th, 2009 at 11:29 am
Sounds like more empty hope for NBA fans in Seattle to cling to…
February 14th, 2009 at 11:41 am
Don’t eff this up, Chopper.
February 14th, 2009 at 12:34 pm
Thanks for your healthy dose of optimism, Clint. After all of these months of excellent news, it sure is good to have someone like you to bring us back to reality. It’s just what we need. Can you kick my dog while you’re at it?
February 14th, 2009 at 12:52 pm
Is Nickels in the loop on this? Seems odd that his name wasn’t mentioned since the mystery plan would involve all Seattle money.
Was anyone annoyed that overwhelming tone of the article was about getting $30M instead of a team? It sure sounded like that was all Hunter was interested in seeing.
February 14th, 2009 at 12:59 pm
Who cares if all Hunter wants is for Bennett to have to pay $30 million? If it means the deal gets done then that is the only thing that matters, the motivation makes no difference to me as long as the right conclusion results.
February 14th, 2009 at 1:03 pm
I suppose, Alex. I’m just not that keen on the idea of waiting around another 5 years just so Seattle can collect $30M.
February 14th, 2009 at 1:04 pm
I want to make a post getting all excited about this but I cant. I’ve been left disappointed by our politicians too many times to let that happen again. I have serious hope though and I hope he gets on Chopp’s good side here!! I’m buying season tickets if a team comes back!
February 14th, 2009 at 1:09 pm
Ross Hunter is my hero!
“I would go out of my way to figure out a way to take $30 million from those guys in Oklahoma City. I would go out of my way to do that just for the fun of it, just for the sport,
February 14th, 2009 at 1:18 pm
Hunter has absolutely nothing to do with getting a new team, if somehow this passes then his role is over. At that point it comes down to Ballmer’s group and the NBA.
February 14th, 2009 at 1:19 pm
Someone asked a few threads back what would happen if the arena deal got done and Bennett & Co. couldn’t pay the $30 million. I doubt things will get that bad for them, and even if such a scenario occurred I doubt it would result in us getting the team back, but does anyone know exactly what would happen?
February 14th, 2009 at 1:25 pm
I’m going to make a point this weekend of e-mailing Hunter and thanking him for his work thus far and also e-mailing Chopp and asking for his support. It can’t hurt.
February 14th, 2009 at 1:46 pm
Watching all star practice on NBA TV today and saw a girl in a Durant #35 Sonics jersey in the stands.
February 14th, 2009 at 1:53 pm
and the roller coaster goes up…
if this passes, Clay Bennett suddenly becomes the #1 advocate of a new team in seattle so he won’t have to pay the $30 mill. watch he’ll suddenly come out and talk about how great a city it is with a deeply rooted fan base that wants basketball here.
February 14th, 2009 at 2:25 pm
I wonder what advantage Ross Hunter thinks he can get by going public in an article like that. He must have had a reason (i.e. gaining more support). Seems like that kind of publicity has, in the past, made Chopp come out and reassert his opposition to public funds for sports facilities.
February 14th, 2009 at 3:10 pm
Tim Cies is working closely with Ross Hunter along with Dave Foster who is the mayors chief lobbyist. Nickels not getting mentioned is not indicative of anything.. Tim is the active arm of the mayors office.
February 14th, 2009 at 3:12 pm
My Soundoff post:
This is great news! It would be so stupid for the city to not collect that $30 million just because there are bad feelings surrounding the NBA. All they have to do is approve the 25% of the project and sit back for a win-win $30 million payment.
If Steve Ballmer is successful in getting a new team, which lets Clay Bennett off the hook, the city will still collect $30 million in construction taxes.
All you haters please just forget about pro basketball for one second. Infrastructure projects like this are the best way to stimulate the economy. Seattle Center is a publically owned, tax generating asset that is currently out-of-date without an anchor tenant for the Key, and you have a local investment group willing to donate $150 million (50%) to the process and solve both problems.
This plan is a PRIVATE BAILOUT to make up for a lack of PUBLIC OVERSIGHT. It’s the exact opposite of what’s happening on a national level, and we’re in no position to turn away the jobs, revenues and international tourism that Ballmer’s Key project will produce.
Seattle is currently losing huge concerts like Endfest and events like the Harlem Globetrotters to Everett, Auburn, Tacoma and Kent due to KeyArena’s white elephant status.
Do the right thing legislators! Take advantage of private investment into a public facility by passing Key legislation this session.
February 14th, 2009 at 3:19 pm
YES! Positive news! Optimism!
But boy it’s tough to see Durant and Green play in the sophomore frosh game. Let’s sign Durant when we get our team. I think he liked it here.
February 14th, 2009 at 3:26 pm
honestly Ben i can’t even bring myself to watch Durant play. it hurts too much knowing how fun it should be have a future top-5 All-NBA talent in Seattle right now.
when he leaves OKC in 2010 i’ll be able to watch him again.
February 14th, 2009 at 3:33 pm
Please…let Durant Durant hear some love in Portland in April!! What an ultimate payback it would be if both he AND Green sign with the Sonics in a couple years.
February 14th, 2009 at 4:42 pm
The form letter that I got back from the mayor’s office, via Mr. Nellams office, was that the city was “actively working” this issue and that there is budget on the city side and in “it” as I assume “it” is the state solution.
I have posted a story on my blog about this as well.
February 14th, 2009 at 4:51 pm
Durant-come from behind win in G.E.I.C.O.(H.O.R.S.E.)-Beat Mayo and Joe Johnson….wins a toy horse.
February 14th, 2009 at 4:54 pm
I hate to put a damper on everyone’s enthusiasm, but here is the e-mail I got back from Ross Hunter after I e-mailed him this morning:
“I have a proposal. The city isn’t happy with it at this point and neither is Frank. I’m 0-2, but that would be like the Sonics/Thunder as well. We’ll see where we go.
-Ross”
February 14th, 2009 at 5:12 pm
Wow roller coaster is right. I’m happy for those of you who are being positive but if there’s one thing I learned throught this whole process is to not get my hopes up. Of course I hope it happens and we get a team, but ill believe it when I see it.
February 14th, 2009 at 5:18 pm
K someone help me out. I just read the article and I’m wondering how that seens good? To me it still seems like its not going to get done. And if it does, aren’t they doing it to collect the 30 million? And they only collect that if we don’t get a team so I don’t get it…
February 14th, 2009 at 5:39 pm
I am soooo conflicted…on the one hand, I so want Clay-Clay to cough up 30 bills…on the other hand, it’d be nice to have a team here. Hmmmm….
February 14th, 2009 at 6:14 pm
One thing at a time T. Get it through legislature. If vindictiveness passes the bill then roll with it. Once it is through legislature then you worry about the city part.
Olympia has been the holdup all along. Everybody failed to move it through.
February 14th, 2009 at 7:16 pm
This needs to get through and I’m very happy that after the USA Today article kinda broke this and then the PI allowed teh Seattle area to know.
Bring me the Hornets!
February 14th, 2009 at 7:50 pm
once the state approves a funding source the city and Ballmer can move forward on locating a team for the city and the remodel. If a team can not be had by 8/17/2013 then Clay pays 30 million from his ownership group. After the state acts the city will get one or the other.
If sticking Clay’s nose in it motivates state action then that’s great, I agree with Brian.
Clay would be a motivated helper.
Hopefull Hunter can construct a long-term solution to the state-county-city relationship.
February 14th, 2009 at 9:13 pm
Wow its really hard seeing KD doing so good. I’m happy for him but its so painful watching how great he’s becoming knowing he should be here in Seattle…I’m gonna write some letters tomorrow. Who’s the best people to send them to?
February 14th, 2009 at 9:33 pm
Hey Brian - Thanks for passing on the great news! Despite the roller coaster this has been, I can’t help but get excited! I had 2 questions for you or anyone else who might want to weigh in:
1) If you were forced to put forth your best guess on a timeline for the following chain of events, what would it look like? (And I certainly won’t hold you to it.)
- a) funding approval from Olympia,
- b) confirming Ballmer’s commitment to securing a team,
- c) securing a team, and
- d) an opening tip in Seattle again? I know you’re not a soothsayer, but perhaps you could throw out your opinion of a best and worst case scenario.
2) What 5 teams would you consider the most likely to come to Seattle, and in what order?
Speculation may be all we have - let’s have some fun with it!
February 14th, 2009 at 9:50 pm
1) Grizzlies
2)Hornets
3)Kings?
4 & 5) ?
Grizz because they were taken from the NW. Hornets because they weren’t there too long, and it seems like they can’t afford the team. Kings because…I dunno, Brian said they’re in trouble over there and the Maloofs are cool dudes? I’d prefer to get a team that hasn’t been in their area too long, especially nowhere near 41 years. Grizzlies seem to have a decent young core, and Hornets have cp3
February 14th, 2009 at 9:59 pm
David Stern is sounding a whole new tune. The poor guy is sympathetic to the problems of fans in these difficult times. He must finally be getting it that his whole league is hurting financially.
Stern said he believed the league was in a “golden age of basketball,” but there are potential concerns should the economic situation not improve. It’s expected to lead to a decrease in the salary cap, and could eventually land some teams in financial jeopardy.
“David and I talk from time to time and we just thought it was apropos that we sit down and begin to look at the situation, particularly in view of the current economic climate in hopes of getting another deal in place without some kind of work stoppage, lockout, etc.,” Hunter said.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3908026
February 14th, 2009 at 10:06 pm
Besides CP3, who else do the hornets have? I rather have gay and mayo baby.
February 14th, 2009 at 10:09 pm
I’m trying to find a place that will allow me to make a custom Sonics Chris Paul #3 jersey, but the NBA has a lock down on that and won’t let you create that.
February 14th, 2009 at 11:25 pm
totally unexpected news…i’m crossing my fingers this alternative plan gets through the chopp brick wall
hope!!!
February 14th, 2009 at 11:32 pm
Don’t get your hopes up. I e-mailed Hunter to thank him this morning, and his reply noted that neither Chopp nor the City is “happy” with his proposal (I tried to post his reply earlier, but it is stuck in moderation). Nevertheless…at least we have something to hope for.
February 15th, 2009 at 1:25 am
Don’t know about the new…but Nate’s dunk over Howard was sick tonight…
Reggie Miller and Kenny Smith’s commentary…not so much. I think (at least Kenny) they might actually hate Spanish people…
February 15th, 2009 at 3:09 am
Obviously this is putting the cart before the horse (I’m 90% skeptical anyway) but since we are talking based merely on hope I’ll ask again…
Does anybody know what REALLY happens (the ins and outs, the asterisks, the wink wink stuff, the stuff written in the contract) with the name/history, etc? The whole expansion vs. relocated team issue? The sharing?
Does anybody know if previous season ticket people are on a list somewhere or would it be a free for all when season tickets are available?
February 15th, 2009 at 3:21 am
I like how Hunter called out nickels and Co for the deal they made. Everyone knows nickels got bent over (I suspect even he knows).
February 15th, 2009 at 8:42 am
I like how Hunter does not mention that he is, currently, co-chair of the state Joint Task Force for Local Funding Options in King County, created by by bill 6638 that was voted on last March, and went into law July 1st, before the settlement. He can mock the city’s impatient position in light if the settlement, but I doubt the state would have been compelled to act had their not Bern a settlement, even though there was this task force.
The state was put on the spot, Clay Bennett played a part in putting the state, the task force, Ross Hunter, on the spot. It is only natural for Mr. Hunter to want to turn that settlement fueled motivation back on Bennett.
I do not see the state ever acting without the settlement, task force or not. The task force provided a forum for these groups to present complete proposals, but the only motivated components are the convention center, Seattle Center, and Husky Stadium, two state buildings and one city. We are only in this discussion because there was a settlement.
Had Clay been forced to stay for two more years would Hunter be acting now? That is a big no!
Regardless, Hunter’s position has not changed since the July kick-off of the task force, or his closing remarks from December, why we are still waiting for something in February is not a shock, neither is his position on the funding relationship between the state and local governments that wish to tax themselves.
February 15th, 2009 at 9:53 am
Wow,
How things change. I haven’t posted on here in awhile but I check in everyday. The Up and Down, The Ying and The Yang have been Intense to say the least. But for the first time I think we all see a light at the end of the tunnel and the light isn’t an oncoming train.
Tip of the cap to Ross Hunter.
February 15th, 2009 at 10:13 am
who you should write to:
(fill in the fields)
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder/Default.aspx
you may even want to appeal to the president.
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500
February 15th, 2009 at 10:31 am
“Can you kick my dog while you’re at it?”
I’m sure Frank Chopp will take care of that for you (again).
And Fernandez was robbed last night! His dunks were the most creative and difficult, and certainly something anyone who can actually dunk (ahem, Kenny Smith) would have appreciated. Those judges were cleary on the NBA payroll last night. I can’t believe Rudy got dissed with the lowest scores when everyone else was doing simple ally-oop dunks. Lame, lame, lame.
February 15th, 2009 at 10:57 am
Great News! NBAWILLRETURNTOSEATTLE!!! I know it!!!
btw the announcing/commentary was awful last night at All Star Saturday night, does anyone else feel the Dunk Contest was fixed?…I mean Nate made it to the final round, when he found out he left and returned in his “kryptonite” uniform(green uni, green shoes, green ball, etc)…
Rudy Fernandez did well..what was withall the hate by kenny for choosing Pau Gasol and also Kenny was clueless who Fernando Martin was(the #10 blazers jersey that Rudy wore)
February 15th, 2009 at 11:11 am
Rudy did get robbed last night. Notice how Majerle and Chambers gave him 9s and the other three judges gave him 8s? Coincidence?
February 15th, 2009 at 11:20 am
it did seem a little big like Nate and Dwight had to make it into the finals. the whole thing seemed just a little too scripted.
February 15th, 2009 at 11:45 am
“Finally, let me share a juicy tip from a league source on the state of the salary cap. Basically, the situation will be worse than many people expect, and the luxury-tax level next season will be set even lower than what several teams are currently planning for. The implications will be huge as we head into next season.
Here’s the more interesting part of what I was told: Next season’s luxury tax might just be the tip of the iceberg. The salary cap (and thus the tax level) could drop massively in 2010; my source used the term “bloodbath.”
This would have huge effects on the pursuit of big-game free agents, of course, but also on the luxury-tax level for that season … which could push many more teams over the line and lead to fire-sale-type trades.
All this would be a prelude to the labor negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement in 2011. If money gets as tight as some project, things could get ugly.” — Hollinger, ESPN
And the Pacers could be on the way out of town …
“NBA commissioner David Stern expressed confidence professional basketball would remain in Indianapolis but stopped short of saying he was certain it would.
The Indiana Pacers have the right to renegotiate their Conseco Fieldhouse lease after his season, and plan to do so.
The team has lost a reported $7 million the past two seasons, but co-owner Herb Simon told The Star at the end of January the amount is more than that.”
http://www.indystar.com/article/20090215/SPORTS04/902150418
February 15th, 2009 at 12:13 pm
Where is this great announcement about Seattle during the All star break? We have been fooled again by someone who wants his name out there. Then he said that the announcement was that the OKC and Memphis was changing divisions. That has nothing to do with Seattle. If something happens then I will get my hopes up. No more rumors and sources.
February 15th, 2009 at 1:21 pm
Apparently the focus on the dunk contest is about theatrics now. Thats too bad. It should be about dunks.
February 15th, 2009 at 1:23 pm
Sounds like you were bamboozled by the “Biased One” from the Seattle Times board. I’m pretty sure that rumor wasn’t generated from here. He likes to put stuff out there that’s just is to good to be true. It hurts more than it helps, and it’s almost as bad as Clint’s negativity.
February 15th, 2009 at 1:55 pm
Getting my Sonics fix today on ESPN Classic. !982 All Star Game Replay. Gus(20 points),Sikma(very good game), Lonnie Shelton, and ex Sonic DJ. No Tats and showboating was in the context of trying to win…what USED to be.
February 15th, 2009 at 2:45 pm
In some talks with Sacramento fans who know the details and current state of their franchise, it sounds like if Seattle gets the funding for an arena upgrade and says to the Maloof’s that, hey we got this upgraded arena here, you are in economic trouble with your franchise down there..basically the Kings would become the Sonics in a heartbeat. I dont know the exact accuracy of this but it sounds pretty dire down there. I hate to see teams continue to move, but like someone said before, if it is gonna happen either way, I will welcome it =)…also, Memphis and OKC switching divisions? Memphis to the Northwest division…i know this means nothing, really, but makes you think nonetheless…I would much rather see the Grizz turn into the Supes than the Kings just based on the fact that the Kings have a pretty solid history in Sacramento and the Grizzlies obviously have no deep roots anywhere.
February 15th, 2009 at 4:16 pm
I feel much better today than I felt yesterday. Imagine that.
Good stuff suddenly. Will share it with you as soon as I can.
February 15th, 2009 at 4:36 pm
Please do, Brian. We seem to be on a roll right now…yesssssssss.
February 15th, 2009 at 4:54 pm
Watching Payton, Vin, Kemp and 19 yr old Kobe in ‘98 Game brings back the anger of what Stern, Howard and Bennett did.
February 15th, 2009 at 5:05 pm
The Pacers should get . . . Colts . . NFL . . . Lease . . .
Stern is giving Indy the full Seattle treatment in the state of the NBA. Reenue will be flat or off 2%, attendance the same as last year. Maybe he means ticket sales.
February 15th, 2009 at 5:27 pm
Brian,
Would love to hear what you have to say.
http://www.ihateclay.com
February 15th, 2009 at 5:39 pm
“And Fernandez was robbed last night! His dunks were the most creative and difficult, and certainly something anyone who can actually dunk (ahem, Kenny Smith) would have appreciated. Those judges were cleary on the NBA payroll last night. I can’t believe Rudy got dissed with the lowest scores when everyone else was doing simple ally-oop dunks. Lame, lame, lame.”
welcome to the completely rigged and scripted stern nba that you so happily choose to follow. if your not gonna try change it, dont bitch about it.
on stadium, fingers crossed, but hopes not too high, i dont wanna be let down again.
February 15th, 2009 at 6:05 pm
If Brian is feeling good about it, then you should feel good about it, I don’t think he’d get your hopes up like that.
February 15th, 2009 at 7:00 pm
kba said: “Where is this great announcement about Seattle during the All star break?”
I believe it was that Seattle lost the new owner of the Rookies-Sophs game points record. And the winner of the first All-Star H.O.R.S.E. contest. *weeps*
February 15th, 2009 at 7:16 pm
I spoke to a man
Down at the tracks.
I asked him
How he don’t go mad.
He said, “Look here junior don’t you be so
happy.
And for heaven sake don’t you be so sad.”
Tom Verlaine, from Marquee Moon by Television
February 15th, 2009 at 7:30 pm
Brian, didn’t mean to imply that you should do it now. Do it whenever you feel it prudent, and again, thanks so much for your effort. Your beer’s on me when we are watching the Sonics again.
February 15th, 2009 at 7:33 pm
That goes for me as well. You’ll never be dry at Sport if I’m around.
February 15th, 2009 at 7:39 pm
feeling great about our local chances right now! i couldn’t bear to watch durant and the festivities yesterday, but now i’m feeling optimistic enough to watch the actual all-star game.
Chris Paul!!!!!!
February 15th, 2009 at 7:48 pm
As much as I hate Stern I dont at all believe the dunk contest was rigged. It was fun. Enjoy it.
And if Brian feels good about this then I feel good. Sort of.
February 15th, 2009 at 7:51 pm
I meant to say scripted not rigged.
February 15th, 2009 at 7:52 pm
A lot of you on here are probably Allen Iverson haters but I love him and I need to say why did he cut off his braids??
February 15th, 2009 at 8:03 pm
Response to the AI question…apparently his family said its time for a change and he said something about now that Obama is in office, its time for change, and that includes his hair. They have talked about his hair WAY more than necessary in my opinion. My question is…are AI’s eyes ALWAYS that red and glossy?? Because I swear every time I see him interviewed or playing that he is blazed out of his mind.
February 15th, 2009 at 8:06 pm
i love A.I. always have. 100% effort. havent watched a lick of nba this season, so i wasnt aware of his new do. that would look weird.
February 15th, 2009 at 9:07 pm
He just cut his hair like a couple of days ago.
February 15th, 2009 at 9:08 pm
Like many of you, i’m a bit skeptical about what this news means. We’ve all been on this roller coaster ride long enough to know that anything could happen.
That being said, I’ll take a sliver of hope over no hope any day! I’m also looking forward to any corroborating information Brian might have.
February 15th, 2009 at 9:54 pm
Iverson looks good with short hair, looks even younger now, Change is good.
Lebron dunk off the window at the end of the game was pretty sweet and the CP3 alley oop to Seattles own BRoy was pretty nice too.
That give and go with CP3 and Shaq was pretty neat
it wasnt a bad game..not the best one i’ve seen though.
February 15th, 2009 at 9:58 pm
I’m sure Ross’ comments about the city, and for that matter, about revenge vs Clay are mostly for political purposes, to put pressure on the Leg and the City to get this thing done. Ross loves the NBA and he’s doing what he can to get it back here.
February 15th, 2009 at 10:09 pm
“I believe it was that Seattle lost the new owner of the Rookies-Sophs game points record. And the winner of the first All-Star H.O.R.S.E. contest. *weeps*”
Word. I’ve been saying something along those lines to any and everyone all weekend - from my wife to the server at dinner last night to the transient dude who talked to me early this morning as I shot hoops in the park to the checker at Fred Meyer today. My wife says its like I’m moping around like someone named Kevin died or something.
We lost more than an on-court bball stud when the mayor sold Durant to OKC for chump change - we lost a legit quality on/off court Seattle pro athlete. We lost a fierce player, a person we could cheer on without reserve, and a role model kids could get behind without having to worry about them douching out. We lost a dude who demanded his shoe company make him affordable high performance shoes some anyone could afford them and a guy who actually showed up to play at all-star events. Durant is one of those once-in-a-lifetime players, and the mayor just sold him and our team out from under us for chump change like it was nothing.
Oh, and seeing Ray and Rashard playing on the same all-star te, NAY, the SAME TEAM again really sucked from an emotional standpoint.
All-Star weekend was certainly the best of times and the worst of times…
Wonder is this will be thrown into moderation becaus I referenced a certain sneaker company…?
February 15th, 2009 at 10:56 pm
Or, he wants to have the state get out of deciding local tax district issues so people like me will leave him alone, for chrissakes stop emailing me about this, he might say on the legislature floor, as well as, Everybody, please, vote for my bill so we can be rid of them, or something like that.
February 15th, 2009 at 11:30 pm
Anybody read this article? Thought it was interesting. NO mention of Seattle as a possible
locatihttp://www.nbaboards.net/index.php?showtopic=12735on…..
February 15th, 2009 at 11:31 pm
Lets try it again…
http://www.nbaboards.net/index.php?showtopic=12735
February 15th, 2009 at 11:42 pm
I’ve recovered enough to so that I’m ready to see the Supersonics Version II in Seattle. I’m staying hopeful for now.
February 15th, 2009 at 11:51 pm
I guess that if they just had a hockey team to play at the cal expo site then finding investors would b2, uh, I mean be lining up.
February 15th, 2009 at 11:58 pm
Scripted=co-MVP’s
February 16th, 2009 at 6:45 am
Relocating the Kings under Kevin Johnson’s watch as mayor would be the ultimate middle finger to a franchise which for years was THE successful model for a team with a new arena in a small market.
February 16th, 2009 at 1:51 pm
what we’re seeing demonstrated in Sacramento is what we already knew.
A) if your team is a perrenial playoff contender, you will have a rabid fan base and be financially successful (which usually means breaking even in the NBA).
B) after a few years of lottery picks, fan support expectedly declines, and you start losing money* due to the ridiculous NBA payscale.
* unless you’re lucky enough to be in major media markets NY, LA, CHI.
C) Stern blames the arena. Says “screw the fans.”
February 16th, 2009 at 1:55 pm
a hard salary cap around $55 million makes sense. make it a harder cap (you pay double what you go over) that’s $5.5 million per player in a 10-man rotation. If your #11-15 guys are scrubs, pay them the minimum or leave them in Europe/NBDL.
February 16th, 2009 at 2:01 pm
what we’re seeing demonstrated in Sacramento is what we already knew.
A) if your team is a perrenial playoff contender, you will have a rabid fan base and be financially successful (which usually means breaking even in the NBA).
B) after a few years of lottery picks, fan support expectedly declines, and you start losing money* due to the ridiculous NBA payscale.
* unless you’re lucky enough to be in major media markets NY, LA, CHI.
C) Stern blames the arena. Says “screw the fans.”
- Not exactly true…they were always considered great because even when they sucked they seemed to draw well. I think you are seeing how the NBA Business Model (making ticket prices outrageous) + Easier Access to Entertainment (Internet, etc.) have caused smaller markets to fall apart.
February 16th, 2009 at 9:42 pm
Just checked the P-I Soundoff on this topic. Apostle is having a total meltdown. It’s him/her against the world.
February 16th, 2009 at 11:35 pm
Hope-Change…Yes We Can!—Con the World
February 22nd, 2009 at 1:38 pm
i havent posted in a long time but it was a surprise to hear the semi good news..hope things work out.. GO SUPES