Seattle's Chris Hansen fighting a battle that is essentially a no win situation. The battle over the Sacramento Kings is coming to an end the week of May 13th 2013 and the hill to climb is getting steep. The NBA Relocation Committee chaired by Seattle nemesis Clay Bennett owner of Oklahoma City Thunder unanimously turned down a recommendation (0-7) for the Kings to relocate to the Pacific Northwest. Hansen's group continues to fight and recently raised the purchase price by an additional $75 Million bringing the total to $625 Million.
Hansen's group has already negotiated a handshake deal with Sacramento Kings Owner(s) the Maloof's. Yet, the NBA seems poised to keep professional basketball in Sacramento. What needs to be explained to fans in Seattle is the fact NBA owners are not evaluating rather Hansen's group has the ability to financially purchase the Kings. Instead NBA owners are evaluating the City of Sacramento and deciding if the city is capable of producing a positive and financially valuable environment for an NBA franchise. Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson (former NBA player) has shown the ability to put together a purchasing group and arena deal in order to keep the Kings in Sacramento. It is not in the NBA's best interest to rip a team from a city if the local government is capable of meeting NBA standards and financially providing support to keep a team in an already established NBA city.
Micky Arison owner of the Miami Heat is also one of the seven owners who voted against the Kings relocating to Seattle and he had a little something to say regarding the situation.Excerpts are extracted via SB Nation from Sports Radio KJR 950 AM & 102.9 FM Seattle WA and a Direct Message Arison had with a Seattle supporter@Dah_knee on Twitter. You don't get it. We are voting to leave Sac or not. I love Seattle and will support a team there but honestly you are making it harder to support you. ... The question before the committee is "Has Sac done all it should to keep the team?" The answer is yes. It's not a vote about Seattle. ... If Seattle -- especially local politicians -- had done what Sac's done a move to OKC would never have been approved. ... [Seattle guy says the city did step up with Ballmer's KeyArena renovation plan] ... Sorry, but you're wrong. Ballmer never stepped up in 2008 and the issue was the turning down of the arena project to Schultz and Bennett over many years. ... Another market move is more likely but expansion will be considered after the next TV negotiations. ... [The Ballmer 2008 plan] was unacceptable to the league and they knew it.
As you can see the NBA is making the case that the sell of the Kings to the Hansen group has nothing to do with Hansen but the City of Sacramento. Which raises the question of how do you deny a city a team after slapping them in the face with the Sonics leaving town in 2008. Then beat them down when a financially fit and business savvy individual elects to purchase a franchise with willing owner's, the Maloofs ready to sale? If the NBA commits another foul in the Seattle NBA saga without offering a favorable solution its possible the door slams in Seattle forever. Best answer to this catastrophe is a deal where the Hansen group receives the rights to an expansion team. With an expansion franchise Seattle carry the legacy of the SuperSonics without destroying the history of Chris Webber, Kenny Smith, Mitch Richmond, and Reggie Theus. Hopefully this move would allow the OKC Thunder to claim its rightful history in Oklahoma which started in 2008. Leaving the Seattle SuperSonics with the rights to truly retire Gary Payton, Shawn Kemp and Nate Mc Millan's jerseys the way it should be done. Maybe, just maybe Chris Hansen already knows this and is leveraging the NBA by showing proof that Seattle is financially ready for an NBA expansion team.
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Gary Payton known as "The Glove" from his Hall of Fame worthy days with the Seattle SuperSonics has been elected to the 2013 Basketball Hall of Fame. Payton a native of California was born in 1968.He played high school ball for Skyline High School in Oakland, California. Upon graduation Payton traveled North to Corvallis Oregon where becoming one of the most prolific and decorated athletes in Oregon State University history. In 1990 Payton graced the cover of Sports Illustrated as the nations best collegiate basketball player. Payton's list of collegiate awards includes 1990 All-American, 3x All-Pac10 selection, Pac-10 1987 freshman of the year, 3x MVP Far West Classic Tournament, 9x Pac-10 player of the week, Pac-10 All-Decade Team. At one time Payton held the OSU school record in points, field goals, three point field goals, assists and steals. Leading the OSU Beavers to three NCAA Tournament appearances due to his performance Payton's name was etched in OSU Sports Hall of Fame in 1996.
Gary Payton was selected with the second overall pick by the Seattle SuperSonics in 1990. Initially Payton started on the Sonics bench playing behind Nate Mc Millan for most of his rookie campaign. The following season a small starting point guard controversy started as the Sonics had two guards capable of the starting position. Sonics coach K.C. Jones made a decision before the 1991 season began to start the younger Payton. During the first two seasons of his career Payton struggled with shooting the basketball as he averaged 8.2 points per game, (7.2pts rookie season). Through hardwork and determination Payton started to prove himself to Seattle Sonics front office, coaches and fans.
When Sonics drafted another young fella by the name of Shawn Kemp, Paytons level of played elevated to new heights. Payton and Kemp would soon form one of the best duo's in NBA history, forever known as the "Sonic Boom". Payton captivated the NBA and Seattle fan base like a Pacific Coast storm collecting nine consecutive All-NBA Teams selections spanning from 1994-2002, including 9x NBA All Star, NBA Defensive Player of Year Award in 1996 and two time Gold Medal Olympian (1996 and 2000).
In 1996 Payton led the Seattle SuperSonics to the NBA Finals against Michael Jordan's infamous Chicago Bulls. Providing a memory that will forever be known in Sonics history. Jumping ahead 3-0 Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman made videos telling Bulls fans don't tear up the city until the Bulls players arrived home. Those comments rubbed Payton the wrong way and a injured Payton urged Sonics coach George Karl to let him guard Michael Jordan for the rest of the NBA Finals after the defensive switch Sonics won games 4 and 5 in Seattle sending the series to Chicago for game six. Payton's Sonics fell short in a high pressured atmosphere for game six but Payton earned Jordan's respect and carried the city of Seattle on his shoulders. Many wondered what the outcome could have been if coach Karl had started the 95-96 NBA Finals series with the defensive player of the year Gary Payton on Michael Jordan.
The Hall of Fame career of Gary Payton would continue away from Seattle in 2003 when a five player trade between the Sonics and Bucks would seen Ray Allen to Seattle in exchange for Gary Payton. Payton's NBA career with Milawaukee Bucks lasted 28 games before forming a Hall of Fame four-some w/ Karl Malone, Kobe Bryant, and Shaquile O'Neal add Phil Jackson and you have possibly the most historic line-ups in NBA history coached by the greatest coach.The journey continued that season with Payton's second trip to the NBA Finals against the Detroit Pistons. "In all honesty the only team in NBA history capable of defeating the Lakers 2004 NBA Finals team was the Pistons defense of 2004".
Before the 2004-2005 season Gary Payton would be reluctantly part of a trade deal sending the West Coast native to the Boston Celtics. Payton, Paul Pierce and Antoine Walker captured the 04-05' Atlantic Division title before a first round versus the Indiana Pacers. During the 2005 off-season Payton now a Unrestricted Free Agent signed a one year $1.1 million deal to join former Celtics teammate Antoine Walker and NBA Lakers buddy Shaquille O'Neal with the Miami Heat. In 2006 Payton played a crucial role down the stretch for the Miami Heat. None bigger than game three of the 2006 NBA Finals with Miami down (0-2) staring at a possible three game deficit when Payton hit the game winner and series changing jump shot against the Dallas Mavericks. For Payton "three times was the charm" as the prolific point guard captured the long awaited NBA Finals trophy.
Since his retirement Payton has been a key figure in the search for returning NBA basketball back to the city of Seattle attending several functions and rallies as a key note speaker. His contributions to the NBA will forever be remembered and now honored as a member of Basketball Hall of Fame. Ceremony takes place during half-time of the 2013 NCAA National Championship.
Bonus Video: Gary Payton vs. Michael Jordan 1996 NBA Finals Game (5)
Personal Note: Living in Seattle Gary Payton was my favorite Basketball player growing up so it was a pleasure writing the article and reviewing hundreds of highlights of the man we call "The Glove". Most articles I write are done without bias but this one is special. Hope you enjoyed the highlights and timeless article. Gary Payton thank you for the memories including the picture with me and my family below...
Picture Cousin Dean Garrett, Grandmama (RIP), Cousin Brandon Bishop (back), Brother Burre Collins and me (Light Skinned dude). One of the Greatest moments of my childhood.... Thanks!!
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Congratulations to the Oklahoma City Thunder, Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, Nick Collison and the crew. The 2012 Western Conference Champions have created history their own history. A history that belongs to the fans in Oklahoma City. The Oklahoma Thunder have been in existence for four seasons writing history in a city they can call their own.
The trip to the NBA Finals is a quick victory for a young franchise. Led by 23 and 22 year old super star buddies Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden. Thunder's historic four years has been awesome for the city, their franchise and their fans. Sam Presti has organized an energetic bunch of NBA professionals. A young squad with veteran savvy combining Durant, Westbrook, and Harden with 6 NBA Championship rings Derek Fisher and Kendrick Perkins. Now the Thunder seek their first championship in franchise history chasing history into the Oklahoma sunset.
OKC Thunder have done more for Oklahoma City fans in four years "2 Western Conference Finals trip +1 NBA Finals Appearance" than most teams have done in 50 years worth of history. Oklahoma City Thunder can go on to become one of the best franchises in NBA or sports history. Media Networks are whispering that if Durant wins the NBA Championship he could go down as one of the best players in NBA history. So if the OKC Thunder abandon the history of the Sonics could OKC Thunder go down as possibly the best franchises in sports once Durant, Westbrook and Harden retire?
This is why the Sonics history should remain in Seattle a franchise that won the 1979 NBA Finals and celebrated with a parade in downtown Seattle. Sonics fans have fond memories of the Sonics the sunny days but as a pure franchise the fans of Seattle have also endured heartbreak. I blame Howard Schultz for some of those hearbreaks but I also remember upset loyals fans in 1994 as Dikembe Mutombo laid on the court floor grasping the basketball.
The hard times can not be remembered as Sonics moments and the good times re-manufactured in "STAT BOOKS" as part of Thunder history. No one announced the Nuggets beat the Thunder but when great moments scroll on the bottom of the "Have Your Cake and Eat It Too" screen and stats are shown it's included as Thunder history.
Sonics history belongs in Seattle Jack Sikma, Dale Ellis, Nate Mc Millan, Lenny Wilkens, Detlef Schrempf, Xavier Mc Daniel, Gary Payton and Shawn Kemp are Seattle memories. Durant, Westbrook, and Harden memories belong to the fans of OKC. The Sonics faced Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman in 1995 not OKC Thunder. The Sonics history is too valuable and rich for it to be passed off as some type of OKC adoption papers. Sonics history has a home in Seattle.
Shawn Kemp's and Gary Payton's jerseys will never hang in the rafters in OKC the players will never be retired in Thunder Blue and Orange. OKC holding onto to the history of the Sonics is bad for coaches, fans, players and the organization. Seattle will have a Sonics team again, the City owns the name, so where is the spite coming from why does Clay Bennett insist to hold on to history? Thunder history looks great in OKC don't destroy what OKC fans, players, coaches and organizational staff are building. Leave Sonics history in Seattle it works out for both cities and fan bases.
Keeping OKC Thunder history separate from Sonics history is the key ingredient between Russell Westbrook being the best PG in franchise history or #4 on the franchise list. I was told holding onto to the history of someone else can do that to a player. OKC Thunder "create history don't be history" Fours Years 2 Western Conference Finals and a square off with LeBron James in the 2012 NBA Finals. Leave Sonics history in Seattle be an intervator mold your own history. Sonic fans will never die and neither will the message as long as Thunder continue to thrive and OKC fans make t-shirts. Sonics voices will be heard and as the NBA Finals continue the voices will become louder. SuperSonics fans and former Greats of the Sonics franchise will never accept OKC and OKC should not except Sonics history. Both sides should unite and tell Clay Bennett and David Stern what we really feel......
