Plus, I'm not sure how many people will pay $10 to sit through a two-hour movie about franchise relocation. The amateur filmmakers fully admit that the reason they made "SonicGate" was to find an outlet for the sadness and frustration that they felt as aggrieved fans of a basketball team that was sold out from under them and shipped off to another town. Not that they're bitter! It's all part of the mourning process.

Our whole purpose is to get the story out so that everybody in the country and the world can see what happened here. We want to get the story out there. Get it told." These guys feel as if there already is too much greed in the Sonics' saga. They don't want to add to this money grab.

"We're doing this for the right reasons," editor Lund said. "For the passion, for the history, for the story. We're putting it out there and saying, 'Yeah, it's not always about money.' It can't always be about money."

It's not exactly "Hoop Dreams," but if you care about this stuff at all you should probably check it out. Be warned, though. Even one of the directors says, "It's kind of a downer."

Oh boy! Fire up the popcorn maker!

Requiem for a Team [Watch @ Sonicgate.org]
Film finally gives Sonics fans a chance to mourn [Seattle Times]

Seattle is never without a full contingent of characters running for public office (Dan Savage, editor of The Stranger, is also running for mayor, but says that if he's elected he will resign within 24 hours). But Donaldson, a 14-year NBA veteran who served three seasons with the Sonics, is a bit more serious. He'll challenge democratic incumbent Norman Sigler.

"People take a look at me and I think they quickly put me in a category where they think I belong, or where they think I might have come out of," Donaldson told Seattle's KJR radio on Friday. "But sports didn't come to me until real late in my life. I was a senior in high school before I played my first basketball game. Education has always been a big passion of mine and a paramount piece of my life.

"On top of all that, I love people. I love the city I live in and I really feel like this is a great time in my life at 51 years of age to really get involved at another level and make a greater impact, and have a further reach all the way across the state. From Seattle all the way over to WSU and Pullman, working with leaders hand-in-hand making our state better than ever."

Donaldson, who owns two or three fitness clinics in the Seattle area, at first said that he was going to run for city council. Then he decided to try for mayor, in part of David Stern's master plan to install former NBA players as mayor of every major west coast city.

Ah, basketball controversy abounds in the Emerald City. Meanwhile, pro soccer prospers.

Ex-Sonic James Donaldson In For Seattle Mayor [Seattle Times]
The United States' Tallest Ever Politician Wants To Bring The Sonics Back [Sports Radio Interviews]

This press release we received from Oklahoma Today magazine is filled with all kinds of hilarious, bitter pain for anyone who used to enjoy basketball in Seattle. It's about their cover story on Oklahoman of the Year Clay Bennett. You see, "people respect Clay" because he had the "resourcefulness, tenacity, and acumen" to bring Oklahoma a professional basketball team—one that is "considered one of the youngest team in the NBA." Is it?!

Best of all, the NBA loves this guy! Not as much as Oklahoma does, but gosh darn it, this guy is just so fucking awesome and no one anywhere in the world could possibly have anything bad to say about Clayton I. Bennett.

By the way, if you happen to know any Sonics fans, you might want to hold on to their shoelaces for a little while longer.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CLAYTON I. BENNETT NAMED
2008 OKLAHOMAN OF THE YEAR
OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma Today, the magazine of Oklahoma since 1956, has named chairman of the Oklahoma City Thunder, Clayton I. Bennett, Oklahoman of the Year for 2008. The feature story on Bennett, written by senior editor Steffie Corcoran, appears in the January/February 2009 issue.

Bennett, founder of the private investment firm, Dorchester Capital, is touted as the man who brought the NBA to Oklahoma. He leads a group of eight investors, all from Oklahoma City, who form Professional Basketball Club, LLC. The team played its first Oklahoma City game on October 29, 2008, after relocating from Seattle. Today, the team plays at the Ford Center in downtown Oklahoma City and is considered one of the youngest team in the NBA.

“No one came close to Clay Bennett as we set about selecting this year’s Oklahoman of the Year,” says Louisa McCune-Elmore, Oklahoma Today editor in chief. “His accomplishment presents an extraordinary moment in the life of Oklahoma, probably among the most important achievements in our capital city’s history.”

Those who know him best describe Bennett as a man of action. “People respect Clay,” says former Oklahoma City mayor Ron Norick. “When Clay is involved, things are going to happen.” Bennett grew up in Oklahoma City, graduated from Casady School in 1978, and married his high-school sweetheart, Louise Gaylord, in 1981.

Bennett’s respect for hard work and his civic involvement have garnered this Oklahoman of the Year great regard from his peers, both locally and in the wider community of the NBA. “I feel confident about the good hands the [Thunder] is in,” says NBA commissioner David Stern, “because they’re in Clay’s hands and in the hands of his investor group.”

The NBA may be happy about the team’s move to Oklahoma, but no one is as thrilled as Oklahomans. The NBA is considered the largest global sports brand. “An NBA franchise is an obvious economic boom, but just as important is what it does for the momentum and morale of Oklahoma,” says Governor Brad Henry.

“What I like most about this article and accompanying photos is its thorough review of the Thunder relocation, but also its insights into Clay’s unwavering commitment to his hometown, state, and especially his family,” says Hardy Watkins, executive director of the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department. “It’s a real portrait.”

Oklahoma Today publisher Joan Henderson says, “The year 2008 was an eventful year in Oklahoma, but nothing seemed as potentially transformative as the birth of the Thunder franchise in Oklahoma City.”

“Clay Bennett had the resourcefulness, tenacity, and acumen to make that dream a reality,” says Governor Henry.

Subscribers begin receiving the issue today. The issue will hit newsstands regionally on January 2. Please contact Louisa McCune-Elmore at [redacted] for more information.

Yep, things are pretty grim for sports fans who live and root in Seattle. Their stolen NBA team taunts them from another city, their baseball team spent $118 million to get 101 losses, the Seahawks have lost their stranglehold on the worst division in pro football, and the local university's squad is 0-10 heading into their big in-state rivalry game this weekend ... and they're the favorite. If that wasn't bad enough, the city's biggest sports personality was murdered (and "Big Lo" doesn't seem too healthy either.)

Cleveland and Buffalo obviously weep for their painful losses, but it's pretty easy to see that this winter in the Pacific Northwest is going to be even more sad and gloomy than usual. Won't someone think of the children?

[Brian] Robinson, the Save our Sonics co-founder, remembered the time he spent in the Army bragging about and betting on Seattle sports. It became part of his identity, one he passed on to his two children.

The other day, his 5-year-old daughter said, in all seriousness: “All our teams lose. When you were a little boy, did they win?” Robinson said: “We are at real risk of a whole generation of people not enjoying professional sports. It might dead-end. And I don’t know what that could do to our sense of community.”

Well, if the alternative is rooting for the Mariners the rest of her life, I'd say your daughter got off lucky.

At a Time of Loss, Seattle Fans Hold On to Hope [New York Times]
With the Apple Cup just days away, there are stories that must be told [Cougars Examiner]
The annual selection of Wazoo jokes [Huskies Examiner]
Has Seattle sports reached rock bottom? [The Big Picture]

David Stern extended an olive branch covered in thorns, rash-inducing poison, and small arms fire to those Seattle fans still slightly miffed at recent events:

"You know, we have something over 900 games available on NBA League Pass, either on cable or satellite, and potentially broadband and NBA TV where we have four games a week," he said. "So there's a lot out there in terms of content and a lot of an ability to follow our league. If they are so inclined, then we certainly invite them and welcome them."

You know, like people in Helena, Montana, do. You'll be a big city again someday, Seattle!

Friday night, we received a PDF of a man's heart breaking. He asked us to do with it what we desired. He doesn't have a blog; he doesn't have a book to sell. Dude just needed to tell someone how he felt. We won't belabor this point much once the season has started. We don't necessarily agree with everything he said. However, the least we can do is publish it.

So, NBA fans and Seattle denizens, we grant the floor to one David Betz from Seattle, WA.
———————————-
To: NBA Commissioner David Stern
RE: NBA Fan Resignation Letter

24 October, 2008

Dear Commissioner Stern:
In the off chance that this gets past your “disgruntled Seattle Supersonics fan” mail dumpster, I’d like to take a minute of your time to present you with my NBA Fan Resignation Letter.

I was a thirteen year old kid growing up in Ohio, wearing Chuck Taylor Converse when I talked my dad into taking me to my first live NBA game in Cleveland Arena, a hockey venue that was then home to the Cleveland Cavaliers. I remember seeing Bob “Butterbean” Love walk in through the front door and fan turnstiles with his Chicago Bulls gym bag. This was two NBA Commissioners before you. This was pre-headbands (the first time around), pre-tag lines, pre-shoe deals, pre-Nike, pre-ESPN, pre-baggy shorts, pre-tattoos, pre-cable, pre-Internet. It was old school.

I'm 51 years old now, and I have been a dedicated NBA fan for longer than you've been commissioner, and longer than the Sonics were a team. I have not been a corporate box customer, or a multi-season ticket holder, but I have been a valuable customer that your marketing people might refer to as an advocate or evangelist. To complete that marketing demographic: I have a graduate degree, discretionary income, cable and high-speed internet connections. I’ve converted passive NBA fans to active NBA fans. I’ve watched thousands of games both in-person and on TV. I’ve seen 44 of your “Top 50” players of all-time play the game. I watched Jerry West play before he became the logo for your league.

I was the beneficiary of league expansion, embracing the Cleveland Cavaliers as my then home team thirty-eight years ago. I was thrilled when the ABA merger brought Dr. J, Moses Malone, George Gervin, and Artis Gilmore (not to mention the slam-dunk contest and the 3-point shot) to the NBA. I’ve experienced the growth of the league from 18 to 30 teams and go from a sleepy niche sport to a global brand.

I also witnessed the migration of teams like the Jazz, Kings, Hornets, and Braves, and Grizzlies. In almost every case, these were younger franchises moving towards expanding markets, reflecting America’s population migration. (Which also brought me west to Seattle 15 years ago).

In all of my years, I cannot recall a backwards franchise erasure or a league equity mistake like the one you just perpetrated with the Seattle Supersonics. You remember the story; the new ownership wanted the team to remain in Seattle, but just could not find a satisfactory venue. They had no choice but to take the team back to their home in Oklahoma. Who could blame them?

Mr. Stern, I don’t for one second believe that ours was a venue or a market problem here in Seattle. The real problems were a dysfunctional product and leadership, a blatant disregard for the truth, and complete betrayal of the public trust.

Since this is my exit interview, I’d like to give you some feedback on what constitutes a satisfactory venue for this fan. Over the past five decades, I have attended NBA games in New York, New Jersey, Charlotte, San Antonio, Los Angeles, Golden State, and Seattle. I’ve experienced NBA games from club seats, corporate boxes, courtside, nosebleed, and every other seat in between.

Here is what I need from an NBA venue when I go to a game with a friend or family member:

1. Easy access to tickets and transit to the game
2. Friendly and helpful staff
3. Affordable snacks and a beer
4. Enough concessions and restrooms so I don't have to miss the game in a queue
5. Easy site lines for the court, replays, game score, and current statistics
6. To feel safe outside the arena after the game

The last time I was at Key Arena—in fact every time I was at Key Arena—all of those needs were met. (As an aside, I DON'T require a dance team, a pyrotechnic player introduction, an indoor blimp, or concourse credit-card solicitations, all of which have become emblematic of league predictability and conformity.)

One final critical point extends beyond a venue experience, and usually goes without saying; as a fan, I also want an honest ownership, working intelligently with the front office, coaching staff and the league, to put together the best team possible. THIS is where the deal breaker occurred in Seattle, not because of our venue.

In my life as an NBA fan, I’ve defended the game in conversation at innumerable stadiums, sports bars, golf courses, and tennis courts. The basic perspective of my colleagues, who consider themselves sports fans, just not NBA fans—is that the NBA is simply a bunch of selfish millionaires getting over on each other. They had no interest in watching a game, believing that the only time that matters is the last two minutes, which they would argue, could last for an hour. I would counter with observations about the amazing athleticism, the fierce competition, the unique styles of play, the community building connection, and the transcendent beauty of a team-game well played.

Based on my experience in Seattle this past year, I now have to side with my colleagues. The NBA IS ABSOLUTELY a bunch of selfish millionaires trying to get over on each other, and in Seattle’s case, their fans, city, and community as well.

When the inappropriate behavior of a few individuals undermines the game, the league, or the Brand, that is usually when the Commissioner’s office steps in. I saw Michael Jordan solve your post-Bird/Magic void, when you were struggling with an attendant thug and drug perception problem. I experienced first hand when your predecessor stepped in to create the "Ted Stepien Rule" to prevent any incompetent owner from driving a franchise into the ground with unconscionable trades.

That is why it’s been amazingly disappointing for me to witness your decisions and your demeanor throughout the Seattle franchise sale, dismantling and move. What happened here makes you complicit in just the sort of hegemony, short sightedness, and thuggery that your office was created to police.

Commissioner, you failed me, my team, my city, and the league. I quit.

This is a shout out to any NBA fan in any other NBA city. If you think this can't happen to you and your city, or if you think ownership can be trusted with the public welfare, or if you think a new sports venue and lots of season ticket buyers means franchise security—think again. If you believe your team belongs to your city and that your team’s heritage would never be violated, you are mistaken. It's not about the venue, the product, or the heritage.

If the money is there and the egos align, as they did in Seattle, any and all NBA teams are for sale.

I am here to tell you that 41 years of blood, sweat, tears, and a championship banner mean NOTHING to this commissioner or his league.

With that I am hereby resigning my life-long fan seat to the NBA.

Game over, Commissioner.

David Betz
Former NBA fan Seattle, Washington October 24, 2008
—————————————————

A generous offer from The David. [Bend It Like Bennett]

One of the men behind the "transfer of wealth" that turned the Seattle Supersonics into the Oklahoma City Thunder was Aubrey McClendon, a big time Oklahoma oil man. Drunk on the potential power of NBA franchise ownership and $100-a-barrel crude, McClendon took out massive loans and used them to buy up huge chunks of the company he runs, Chesapeake Oil, which reached all-time high stock price of $69.40 on July 2—the exact day that the Sonics were officially ripped from the City of Seattle like a still beating heart.

Today, that stock is worth slightly less ... about 75% less. Oil prices dropped, the loans came due, and McClendon lost about $1.8 billion. Oops. Sadly, his stock portfolio is now a paltry $400 million, so maybe you can help a guy out and and buy a Thunder t-shirt or something.

• Karma Train Reaches OKC; Thunder Owner Wiped Out [Seattlest]

My suggestion, the Oklahoma City Bricks — for the city's Bricktown District — was somehow rejected. Clay Bennett's ownership group, which moved the franchise from Seattle, has applied for trademarks for six names: Thunder, Energy, Wind, Marshalls, Barons and Bison.

Calls to team officials were unreturned Friday afternoon and evening. However, KOCO.com confirmed that the registrar for all of the NBA's Internet domain names reserved okcthunderbasketball.com and okcthunderbasketball.net on July 10.

Local fans of course are thrilled with the new name: In an online survey, 36 percent hated it, while 18 percent approved. As for the bulky okcthunderbasketball.com domain name, it seems that thunder.com is unavailable, having been taken by a Silicon Valley communications group. And they seem unwilling to part with it.

There had been reports in July — apparently bogus — that the name would be Barons. Anyway, they'll always be NOOCH to me.

Source Tells KOCO OKC NBA Team To Be Named Thunder [KOCO-TV]
Oklahoma City's NBA Team To Unveil Name Sept. 3 [USA Today]

The Deuce has called for all area readers to descend on the affair and get photos, which should be fun. But all you'll catch Durant participating in is karaoke. No doubt.

Also regarding the poster: I'm pretty sure that's palming.

Kevin Durant Is Havin' A Party [Deuce Of Davenport]

There's nothing I enjoy more than a good blog war. After Paul Pierce and a few of the other Celtics complained of cheap shots and trash talk by the host Sacramento Kings in their game on Wednesday, a couple of the teams' respective blogs started to go at it, and now we've got us a rasslin' match. First, The Celtics Blog called Sacramento "The Queens" in a headline, saying: The Celtics are a target again. Teams desperate for solutions will try anything they can to knock this team down. On this night, it didn't work. The Celtics held off the Queens and just waved good-bye to them. In the future, the C's will have to continue to maintain their focus and stick to playing superior basketball to keep winning games. Another good learning opportunity for this team that is growing stronger every day.

Counters Kings' blog Sactown Royalty: The world does not revolve around the Celtics. They are not a flock of untouchable clergymen. If they want flap their gums at Ron Artest and Francisco Garcia, they will receive gum-flapping in return. This was all just a really long way of pointing out the subtle reasons most of the country dislikes Boston sports fans. I really like CelticsBlog — I'd consider Jeff Clark a very good blogfriend. But when I see silly headlines like [The Queens Get Chippy], I want to punch someone in the nose. That moniker was stupid and played out in 2002. Analysis by gay joke is not remotely useful.

Clark then replies via e-mail: I admit, the use of that headline was probably in poor taste and maybe even out of character for me. It was just meant to be glib but I could see how it would offend or at least annoy people. I'll take a page from the athlete's guide to dealing with the media and say "If I offended anyone, I'm sorry." I simply read report after report this morning of how the Kings took a physical approach to the game and saw the coach quoted as saying that was pretty much the gameplan and I posted the quotes from those sources. If the newspapers got the facts wrong or misrepresented them, bad on them.

The Celtics beat the Kings 89-69. Then on Thursday, Boston invaded Seattle — in Ray Allen's return to his former home — and topped the Sonics 104-96 behind Paul Pierce's 37 points. And more good news for the Celtics; Kevin Garnett leads All-Star voting with 1,186,690 votes.

• Big Breakthrough. The Suns finally figured out how to stop a big man — in this case the Clippers' 7-footer, Chris Kaman — as Amare Stoudemire's 30 points and 15 rebounds led a 108-88 victory.

• Cleveland Somewhat Rocks. LeBron James managed 24 points, eight rebounds and seven assists to lead the Cavaliers past the Mavericks 88-81. Cleveland shot 36.4 percent from the floor, was 2-of-16 from the 3-point line and missed 10 free throws, which should tell you how well Dallas is playing.

• What Does He Charge For Just A Massage?. Quote of the week comes from Jason Williams of the Miami Heat, who is not thrilled with recent trade rumors. "We're like some high-paid prostitutes anyway in this league. They just use and get rid of us whenever they want."

• No God, Not That! As the new year approaches, it's time to count your blessings, NBA players. Enjoy what you have, because things could be much, much worse. Yes, this applies even if you play for the Knicks. Here is the proof.

The Oklahoma crew trying to take the team away, while pleading their (failed) case to have court proceedings about the "move" held in Denver rather than Seattle, said their sensitive virgin eyes have been probed by those nasty, nasty emails.

While arguing their case with the AAA, the Sonics filed papers citing "disturbing fringe elements" surrounding the case, and even claimed the team's lawyers had "received threats and other highly charged communications" after taking the case.

Yes. Highly charged communication. This will happen when you stroll into Seattle and slap the mayor in the mouth while stealing his wife.

Paranoid Bennett Hounded By "Disturbing Fringe Elements" [Supersonics Soul]

In an incredibly odd interview with an Oklahoma newspaper, Aubrey McClendon, one of the new Sonics owners, blatantly admitting that they're gonna move the team to OK City, even if it costs them money.

McClendon said the team would probably make more money if it stayed in Seattle.

"But we didn't buy the team to keep it in Seattle; we hoped to come here," he said. "We know it's a little more difficult financially here in Oklahoma City, but we think it's great for the community and if we could break even we'd be thrilled."

A prediction: The team won't "break even." Unless Seattle fans — who McClendon keeps saying "kind of look down their nose at us" — burn down the Sonics' offices, that team is gone, people, regardless of whatever apologetic press release McClendon sends out today.

Hard Work, Luck Make Billions [Journal Record]
Clay Bennett Is A Liar [Sonics Central]
Sonics Owner Aubrey McClendon: We Bought The Sonics To Move Them To Oklahoma City [Enjoy The Enjoyment]

Though some Portland fans have already put together a Draft Kevin Durant blog, it seems likely that Greg Oden is going to be the first pick, and Durant's going to be playing in either Seattle or Oklahoma City. For all the disappointed teams and fans this morning, Portland — a franchise that has been trying to crawl its way back — and Seattle — a franchise that just found itself a desperately needed identity — were the lucky winners. Before we delve into those whose hearts were crushed, we salute the Pacific Northwest, which might very well be the center of the NBA universe for the next, oh, 10 years ago. Well, if Seattle keeps its team, anyway.

Is The First Pick A Money Maker? [CNBC]
The Draft Lottery Miracle [OregonLive]
Draft Kevin Durant
Live From Secaucus [True Hoop]

Anyway, yesterday was definitely one of those days for Seattle sports fans. The Sonics probably aren't coming back, they were blown away in their final game and, oh yeah, Felix Hernandez left his start with tightness in his elbow. It's enough to make a guy want to find a empty greenhouse somewhere, a fistload of heroin and write an illegible note to your child and batshit bonkers wife.

But, alas, through the despair is hope! Look at the Bay Area yesterday, for example. It is only when we remember when matters were hopeless that we can appreciate true glory. At least, that's what we're telling ourselves, with the Cardinals two games under .500. That's the plan, and we are sticking to it.

I Give Up [Sportszilla]
What A Day For Bay Area Sports [The Big Picture]

• 1. Phil Jackson Officially Losing It. How did the Sonics beat the Lakers on Sunday? Seems pretty straightforward to us: Seattle was motivated by an 0-2 record and held Kobe Bryant — playing in his second game back after knee surgery — to 15 points in a 117-101 win. LA coach Phil Jackson had another idea though. "I don't know what went through their psyche. Maybe Bob Hill jumped up and down on a chair and did something foolish in his locker room that got them inspired," Jackson said. (Double take) wha?

• 2. How To Beat The Heat. Kyle Korver and Allen Iverson are doing their best to prevent Larry Brown from returning to the 76ers next season. Korver was 5-of-6 from three-point range and Iverson had 31 points to lead the Sixers (3-0) over the Heat 107-98. Shaquille O'Neal was out with a bruised knee.

• 3. You've Been NOOCHed. Just like the NFL Saints, the Hornets won their first two games on the road before winning their home opener in New Orleans. David West scored 22 points as the Hornets beat the Rockets 96-90 on Sunday. Still based in Oklahoma, the Hornets will play five more games in New Orleans this season before their full-time return next season.

• 4. The Rebuilding Of Atlanta. Quick, when was the last time that the Hawks were over .500? Atlanta is 2-1 after a 95-82 win over Orlando on Sunday, better than .500 for the first time since 2002. Sad, really.

• 5. Begone, Plantar Fasciitis! Apparently cured of the foot injury that plagued him last season, Tim Duncan led the Spurs with 26 points in a 103-94 win over the Raptors.

• 1. Being Danny Fortson. Everyone's raving lunatic, Danny Fortson, is mercifully in the final year of his seven-year, $38 million contract. In 2005-06, $6.4 million bought Sonics fans 276 minutes of court time and, at no extra cost, several insane diatribes against the refs, his teammates and team management. On January 17th, "The Baddest Man in Pigtails" announced that he was "about to flip out." He didn't play again in 2006, citing a knee injury of dubious severity. Fortson, who has requested a trade, is unlikely to get it. He'll make $6.6 million in 2006. (Thanks to Seth Kolloen).

• 2. Quiet On The Set.You probably knew that guard Ray Allen played the character Jesus Shuttlesworth in Spike Lee's film He Got Game. But did you know that the high school used in the film was really Abraham Lincoln High School, located near Coney Island? Well, YOU DO NOW.

• 3. Block Party. Mouhamed Saer Sene, who was born in Senegal, has what many believe is not only the largest wingspan in the NBA, but also in all of the animal kingdom, at 7-feet, 9 inches. The only ones greater are those of the condor (9 feet), the albatross (11-1) and the male trumpeter swan (8 feet).

• 4. Oklahoma!. Many Sonics fans believe that the franchise has one foot in the ancient Key Arena, and the other in Oklahoma City, where new owner Clay Bennett will probably move them once Oklahoma City's current tenants, the NOOCH, return to Louisiana. Seattle fans have formed Save Our Sonics and Storm to fight the rumored departure.

• 5. Wilkins Family Reunion. Rashard Lewis was named after former NFL player and current sportscaster Ahmad Rashad. Damien Wilkins is the son of former NBA veteran Gerald Wilkins, and the nephew of nine-time NBA All-star Dominique Wilkins.

Some think there's a chance the new ownership group might stay in Seattle, but the general consensus seems to be summed up by the Seattle Post-Intelligencer's Art Thiel.

Alert to basketball fans in Oklahoma City: As of Tuesday, your arena is already on the fast track to becoming a crap can, your owner is a wild-eyed venture capitalist and your team next year will pay maybe $50 million to a pimply teenager who doesn't know a drop step from a drop kick.

We will be furiously checking all Sonics blogs on this; it's morbidly fascinating to watch a city lose its team in real time.

Hey, Howard, We're Not Morons [Seattle Post-Intelligencer]
Howard [Supersonics Soul]
Now That The Knee-Jerk Reactions Have Passed [Sonics Central]

Things you should know about the Seattle SuperSonics: They are owned by Starbucks Coffee chairman Howard Schultz ... they are the only team whose home arena is accessible by monorail ... they are the only team to have had both Jack Sikma and Detlef Schrempf play for them ... they used to play in the Kingdome, leaving before this happened ... they then moved to Key Arena, which is about 50 yards from where this happened.

Also, their fans have created some great blogs — not surprising, considering Bill Gates and Microsoft are located just across the SR-520 freeway bridge. Let's take a gander, shall we?

3. Sha Lock Lock Sonic Boom. A Portland resident who loves the Sonics — call it the best SuperSonics blog outside of Puget Sound.
2. SuperSonics Soul. This was a tough one; a very strong blog which could easily have been No. 1, had their check cleared.*
1. Sonics Central. No frills, just great Sonics coverage on a consistent basis.

Note to Attack of the SuperSonics ... We've always been a fan of your blog, even back when it was called SuperSonics vs. the World. But you've been off since before Christmas — quit hanging out at the Cinerama get to work!

* = Ha. Kidding. We only accept cash.**
** = Do not send cash.