“Some of them want to use you…Some of them want to abuse you.”

The first part (“Some of them want to use you”) obviously refers to the “incumbent” overlord-like NBA Commissioner David Stern, showed all the grace of a saucy, filter-less seven-year-old at the podium; I’ll get to that later. True or not, you could conceivably put together the pieces supporting the fact that Seattle was used to keep the Kings in Sacramento. In his poorly prosed press conference, Stern talked a lot about “advantage to the incumbent.” Which, if that was the case all along, the Seattle group probably should have deserved a heads up that it was really Sacramento’s team to lose.

The second part (“Some of them want to abuse you”) refers again to Stern, who for some reason, seems not to like Seattle.

Now, on to my 25 thoughts on the matter:

1. David Stern showed very poor podium presence. Of all the things in the world that David Stern could have said to open his press conference, he went with, “This is going to be short for me. I have a game to get to in Oklahoma City.” REALLY??? I have many problems with this; one is that the OKC reference is exceedingly poor taste. I wasn’t kidding about a rude, mouth running seven-year-old having the same amount of grace at the podium. That dig was filled with so much bad taste it makes the six-week-old liver at the back of your fridge seem like it will actually taste good.
2. Stern needs to learn to be present. Taking aside the fact that he slammed Seattle with the opening dig, did he really need to say that? Even if it was a playoff game in Boston, Tanzania or a polar ice cap, you be present. You are in charge of the league. Acting like you’re half asleep and saying, “I don’t even know where I am” (paraphrasing). Pull it together. I would have said, “pull it together, buddy” just because it sounds better, but David Stern is clearly no buddy of mine.
3.  If you have to rush off to a playoff game, why did you schedule the meeting for today in the first place? If you want to go see a playoff game, then don’t schedule the Board of Governors meeting during the playoffs. Simple as that.
4. The NBA made the wrong decision.
5. The NBA made the wrong decision.
6. The NBA made the wrong decision.
7. And… the NBA made the wrong decision. Is Sacramento a better market? Does dirt look appetizing to eat? All jokes and jabs aside, I do think that Sacramento is a good NBA town, just not as good as Seattle would have been/was/will be.
8. Seattle also has, and will have, a much better market if you strictly look at it from a standpoint of number of big-name companies with headquarters or large offices in each city. In one corner you have Seattle with powerhouses such as Microsoft, Amazon, Starbucks (should they chose to get back in bed with the league,) REI, Boeing, Alaska Airlines, Nordstrom, etc. In the other corner you have Sacramento with… wait, was that a tumble weed? (points somewhere off to far left.)
9. On the bright side of things, I just stopped writing momentarily to see the Memphis Grizzlies move on to the Western Conference Finals. If you live under a rock, that means the OKC Raiders lost and were eliminated from the playoffs. Ah, little victories.
10. Also, I would like to personally commend the eight NBA owners who made the right vote. Seattle appreciates it.
11. Here’s a joke, David Stern walks into a bar in Seattle… oh wait, that will never happen.
12. Another small positive from Wednesday, the Mariners dropped a twelve spot on the Yankees. At least we still have the M’s.
13. I also want to thank the Sacramento fans who weren’t complete ____________(your choice-y swear word in plural form here.) Sacramento wanted to keep their team; you can’t hold that against them. The bad apples that started ripping Seattle on everything from the Mariners to Macklemore showed the same poor taste as Stern.
14. In a less cynical statement, I hope the Kings do well in Sacramento. It would be horrible for everyone if the Kings went back to their ways of tanking in attendance. Worst case scenario, Sacramento struggles after a honeymoon period, but still keeps their team, and the NBA doesn’t admit its’ obvious mistake. But, like I said, I hope Sacramento justifies the NBA’s decision to stick with them.
15. Adam Silver may one day win the “Biggest Hero in Seattle Sports History” Award simply based on default. While it would be amazing to get an NBA team during the rest of Stern’s rather stern tenure, it probably isn’t going to happen. Stern himself has served for nearly 30 years, meaning, even if Silver lasts half that long, we will probably get a team during his tenure. Thus he wins the aforementioned “Biggest Hero in Seattle Sports History” Award. Seriously, he’d get more votes than the following:  Felix Hernandez, Mike Holmgren, Shaun Alexander… Take back what I said, he would get second in the award voting, the winner would be Chris Hansen.
16. We in Seattle have now joined a very hallowed fraternity of sports cities. We’re the 31^st or 33^rd league city. The city without a team that makes you go, “well, they deserve a team more than at least a third of the league, if not more, why don’t they have a team already?” Yes, people actually say all that. Current members of the club include Los Angeles of no-NFL fame. Montreal of baseball fame, Quebec City in the NHL and well, us. Cleveland , formerly of no- NFL fame, used to live at the fraternity house, but it has since backed its bags and left.
17. Was this really smart for the NBA? The NBA is a money-driven league. Rather than being driven by people named David and Adam, the league is run by folks named Benjamin, Andrew and Abraham. The league is run by money.  Which is why it is confusing to see the league go with an inferior offer, purely from a monetary stand point. Seattle is a fantastic market, and truth be told, probably has better NBA fans than half the league.
18. To continue the rant on the incumbent NBA commissioner, anyone else think it was wrong for him to wear a purple tie to the Warriors/Spurs playoff game the night before the vote? I know that he has to look impartial to the two teams. So that rules out the colors, black, white, silver, blue, yellow, orange (the Warriors former color). He probably shouldn’t have worn any Sonics/Kings colors like he did, so that rules out green, gold, yellow (again,) purple, etc. Red is still available! Wear that colored tie and at least try to look impartial. Yes, I just critiqued Stern’s tie choice… but when it clearly looks like he’s being partial in a situation when he is required to be impartial, someone has to call him on it.
19. Another joke, Clay Bennett walks into a bar in Seattle… also, never happening.
20. Also, if the NBA truly wants to come back to Seattle one day, during the press conference after the Sacramento decision was made, shouldn’t the league have treated Seattle with more respect? The league should have done everything to say, “We’re going with Sacramento on this one, but we very much would like to go back to Seattle.” What happens if you are so rude to Seattle that Seattle doesn’t want you back? What happens if team X falls into financial disarray and you need to move them? Who’s going to step up and be a good market? Anaheim? No, too close to LA, the Lakers and Clips would throw a hissy fit at the notion. Las Vegas? Probably not, the whole allure of Vegas mixed with a professional sports team seems like the wrong idea. Virginia Beach? Their efforts to get the NBA are in the infant stages at this point. How about Vancouver? They would be good, but they are still at square one in terms of everything. So what if no new buyer is found? Does the league do what it did with the Hornets? Does the league want to do that? What if no buyer was found and the team folded? It seems like the league has something against 31 teams, as if it’s a negative. If 31 teams is a negative, then 29 is apocalyptic-negative.
21. This topic has been broached by many a reporter, but shouldn’t the NBA have been willing to give Seattle more time to do anything to improve their bid, or even just give them more time to be fair? I thought it seemed unfair to give Sacramento countless number of breaks when they clearly weren’t ready, and then when Sacramento was ready, Seattle’s neck got slammed to the guillotine and that’s that. Seems a bit unfair. “Sacto” as some people affectionately call it, got too much leeway in terms of extending deadlines.
22. What happens to Gary Payton’s jersey? Or Shawn Kemp’s? Are these numbers retired in Seattle or are they mothballed? These numbers need to be retired properly in Seattle. Especially with Payton getting into the Hall of Fame this year.
23. “Some of them want to use you.” It did feel like Seattle got used. I talked about this earlier, if Sacramento was always getting the team, why play Seattle and not be completely honest about it?
24. I alluded to it earlier, but from the outside, it seems like Stern really doesn’t like Seattle. Maybe he didn’t like all the backlash after the Sonics left. Who knows, but this seems despicable.
25. I also want to point out one other thing. The city of Sacramento is very lucky to have Kevin Johnson as their mayor. I think had Sacramento had any other mayor who had zero ties to the NBA then we might have the Sonics back.

MT @stevekylernba: Sources said Seattle group was compelling and more owners were probably in favor of Seattle vote, but Stern swayed vote.

— Chris Daniels (@ChrisDaniels5) May 16, 2013

Tom Ziller explains why there’s no reason for the NBA to delay expansion to Seattle. 

Macklemore isn’t too pleased with the OKC Raiders using his latest hit “Can’t Hold Us” during games.

RT @coug123: So apparently the OKC blunder are using @macklemore ‘Can’t hold us’ as a song to hype up the crowd in their arena <-OH HELL NO!

— Macklemore (@macklemore) May 13, 2013

 

 

 

In strange, or not-so-strange timing, the NBA is apparently ready to start informal negotiations on its next TV deal. FWI (as the kids say,) their current deal with Turner Sports and ESPN expires in two years.

Brian Floyd answers some frequently asked questions on the Sonics/Kings situation over at SB Nation.

David Aldridge would like the situation to end. 

Kevin Durant is still supporting the Emerald City.

@kdtrey5 rocking that golden #Sonics hat again, this time at morning shoot around before game 4 against Memphis #LOVE twitter.com/sonicsrising/s…

— SonicsRising (@sonicsrising) May 13, 2013

(Hat tip to Sonics Rising for tweeting it.)

And finally, check out one of my favorite sites out there, Homers Apparel, they’ve got some great products, all of which have to do with Seattle sports.

First from KING 5′s superb sports reporter Chris Daniels-

BREAKING: Chris Hansen raises bid on #NBAKings to $625 Million – up $75 million from previous offer.

— Chris Daniels (@ChrisDaniels5) May 10, 2013

BREAKING: Hansen’s group all agrees to be a revenue sharing payee if #NBAKings team moves to Seattle, including years at KeyArena. — Chris Daniels (@ChrisDaniels5) May 10, 2013

BREAKING: The $625 million dollar pricetag for #NBAKings would put franchise on par with Miami Heat, as 6th most valuable in NBA per Forbes. — Chris Daniels (@ChrisDaniels5) May 10, 2013

710 ESPN Seattle’s Jassamyn McIntyre with

More from Chris Hansen: “While we appreciate that this is a very difficult decision for the league and owners…” #Sonics

— Jessamyn McIntyre (@JessamynESPN) May 10, 2013

Hansen cont: “…, we hope it is understood that we really believe the time is now to bring the NBA back to Seattle…” #Sonics

— Jessamyn McIntyre (@JessamynESPN) May 10, 2013

By the way, you can see the official statement from Chris Hansen and friends here and Hoopsrumors latest here.

Hansen cont: “…and that it is paramount that we do everything we can to put Seattle’s best foot forward in this process.” #Sonics

— Jessamyn McIntyre (@JessamynESPN) May 10, 2013

There is an online petition urging David Stern to give Seattle an expansion team.

Chris Hansen is still hoping to buy the Kings.

Sorrow for NBA diehards in Seattle.

Seattle nice is not the NBA way.

Here’s Why the NBA Is Trying to Force the Sacramento Kings’ Owners to Accept a Low Bid.

Denied in Sacramento, Seattle NBA group may look to Bucks.

Is expansion really an option for NBA, Sonics group?

And finally, my take on Sacramento’s supposed understanding of heartbreak. 

Yes, they say, you’ll surely be fine; you have baseball, football and soccer. And you have UW. “You should be giving us a break.”

This piece also says that “few cities know heartbreak like Sacramento.”

Sacramento may know a little heartbreak, but we know its tendencies much better.

Sacramento also likes to remind everyone of the uncertainty and ever-present-nervousness that nearly resulted in a move to Anaheim.

Yes, it’s true, Kings fans have lived in fear of losing their team for a very long time, and I feel for them in that regard, but to ask for a break from Seattle?

The difference is that while Sacramento has been in a struggle to try and keep their team, they have had a team. A product on the court. We haven’t had that product.

It’s one thing for the Sacramento fans to believe that they can comprehend the disaster of losing a tem, especially when they have teetered on the edge of it. It’s another thing to understand it when it has happened to you.

I have nothing against Sacramento fans. I applaud them for making a strong effort to try to retain their team.  Kings fans would have a reaction similar to mine if roles were reversed. Let me try to put it this way:

As a town without an NBA franchise it’s hard to give a break to a town that already has one.

Just saying.

A Message From Chris Hansen.

SB Nation- Kings sale-  Seattle investor Chris Hansen vows to fight NBA decision.

Ian Thomsen- NBA’s Loyalty to Sacramento Could Prove Costly Financially.

From David Aldridge- Kings Might Stay in Sacramento.

Also from Aldridge, looking at the 12 Owners on the Relocation/Financial Committee.

King 5’s Take.

SuperSonicSoul on the Seattle SuperSonics vs. the NBA.

Jerry Brewer- NBA Changes the Rules, Breaks Hearts of Seattle Fans Again.

King 5’s Timeline of the Sonics Situation So Far.

Also from the Seattle Times, Heartbroken Sonics Fans React to Bad News from the NBA.

The PI’s Take on It All.

Finally, Seattle SuperSonics Relocation: The Hypocrisy of David Stern from Bleacher Report’s Todd Pheifer.

Phil Jackson. Everyone would like to have the Zen Master as their coach. But likely, no one will get him. Jackson is retired and will probably stay that way. We Sonics fans can dream, right?
(That isn’t to say that the rest of the list are garbage candidates, but there are few current coaches who can compete with the Zen Master, and we aren’t getting Popovich, Doc Rivers or George Karl. Wait a minute…)

George Karl. A dark horse at this point, probably more of a long shot. There is no thought process that the Nuggets can have that convinces them to let him go. Denver would probably want compensation for Karl if he left, big “if,” I know. They would also probably ask for the world, all of its moons, and half of Chris Hansen’s income next year. If Andre Iguodala leaves in free agency, Tyreke Evans isn’t a bad fit to replace him on the wing, from a “tools” stand point. He (Evans) could be a better defender, I know.

Brian Shaw. If Jackson is hired as a potential “czar” and/or advisor of the Sonics’ front office, then Shaw would make a whole lot of sense as the head coach. Shaw is widely regarded as one of the better assistant coaches in the league, and I’m still trying to wrap my head around why the Lakers didn’t give him the head coaching gig when the Zen Master retired.

Source says almost living lock Phil Jackson will become front office face of Seattle-bound Kings’ franchise. Won’t coach. Will mentor choice

— Peter Vecsey (@PeterVecsey1) January 21, 2013

Nate McMillan. Having Mr. Sonic back on the side lines would be a hand-in-glove fit. Insert Reign Man and Downtown puns here.
It’s all speculative at this point. Regardless of who the coach is, we’re getting basketball back in Seattle.
Who would you add to the list? Let me know in comments below.

The Mariners are a good team who should be a dark-horse contender for a wildcard spot. The Astros are a bad team who should be a contender for the number-one overall pick.

The Astros are a transitional team, littered with former top prospects who have yet to make the jump to being established big leaguers but still show potential. Plus there are some veterans on short-term deals looking to reestablish their major league careers.

The Astros stink. There are no two ways around it.

Seattle is much too good for Houston. The Mariners aren’t going to become world-beaters; they aren’t going to be one of the Yankees teams of old. They’re going to be the Mariners. One of the upsides to that is that they will play the newest member of the AL, the aforementioned Houston Astros.

The Astros are really bad…(Wait didn’t I just write this? That’s how bad Houston is folks; they cause brief short-term memory loss. Take that to the bank!)

The Mariners are much more talented than Houston (Doing it again, sorry. Slaps forehead. I guess Houston is that horrible?)

What I’m really trying to say is that if Houston and Seattle play 20 times, it wouldn’t shock anyone, even Emerald City haters (yes, apparently some people hate the lovely city of Seattle, oh the horror) to see the M’s win 15-17 times out of 20 against the ‘Stros.

The term “rivalry” is being brought into play not just for the sake of making this piece hold water, but also because it will be a rivalry.

Houston is where Seattle was as recently as a few years ago. (Fun fact, both teams have Erik Bedard! Look out, if the Angels flame out and have a fire sale in the next three years, Erik Bedard will be there.) The Astros have their one solid piece to build around (Jose Altuve), and they’re trying to figure it all out. The Astros will definitely be better over the long term. They may serve to bolster the win column for Seattle nowadays, but in a few years with some shrewd moves, Houston will be back to relevancy.

(Another fun fact I forgot to mention, Ronny Cedeno was/is on the really-bad-now-good-later Mariners of a few years yonder and the current Astros. He might be on the ashes of an Angels’ team after that fire sale with Bedard.)

I guess the most comparable situation here in recent memory is that of the Blue Jays of the late 2000’s and the Orioles of that time period. One team is a good team stuck in a tough division, and the other team, while stuck in the same tough division, is horrendous.

Seattle will win most of its games with Houston, but give it some patience (a few years) and the Astros will be providing you with bang for your buck at the old Safeco Field.

Book Two: The Best American Sports Writing, 2010 version. A well-put-together series of the best pieces from around the world of sports circa 2010. Wright Thompson’s piece on a mysterious boxer in Miami is particularly good.

Book Three: possibly my favorite. Which is to pick a grand champion out of champions. It’s nothing against the others, but this one is just that good. Larry Bird and Earvin “Magic” Johnson, along with Jackie MacMullan recount everything from Bird and Magic’s respective upbringings to their rise to fame, to their success on the “Dream Team.” This book is so good. I bought it in a book store in Portland and was nearly finished with it by the time we got back to Seattle. It’s that good. You won’t regret reading it.

If you enjoy some of my selections, you can see more here.

The Mariners’ outfield was clogged to begin with. Michael Saunders, Franklin Gutierrez, Trayvon Robinson, Eric Thames, Carlos Peguero and Wells were all fighting for a third of the outfield pie. You add the new power bats and some people are going to have to go.

Robinson was dealt to Baltimore and Thames and Peguero are playing in Tacoma, Guti and Grand Torrido (that’s Saunders, you can see my explanation here) are starting for the Mariners.

The final outfield spot, in the end, came down to Bay or Wells.

Bay, six years Wells’ senior who is on an expiring contract and hit .165 in nearly half of a season in New York.

Or Wells, the prototypical fourth outfielder who is controlled by the team longer, is younger and cheaper than Bay.

Wells might be one of the more cynically undervalued players in the league. He played well enough to get more ABs in Seattle, however, due to the crowded outfield (see above,) wasn’t able to get them. Wells is never going to be a mega superstar, but given a decent number of at bats, he could be a very solid contributor offensively and defensively.

Wells, again given decent playing time, is a plus defender who could hit around 20 homers in a full season.

But instead the team went with Bay, who if he plays well, is likely to garner a new contract next year from someone else.

That’s no slant on Bay, but in a situation like this when the spot up for grabs is third string corner outfield/DH position, then you should probably go with the younger, cheaper, longer controlled, better defensive player.

Oh, the travesties of baseball.