The latest news out of Sacramento is that there's been a 'snag' in the negotiations between the Hansen/Ballmer group and the Maloofs. And by 'snag' I mean total idiocy.
The rumor is that the Maloofs want to keep a small percentage of the team, which is their right to bargain for, but they want to 'have input' in how the team will be run.
Wait, what?
The Maloofs have singlehandedly run the Kings into the ground. They have alienated the Sacramanto fans by threatening to leave, signing a deal to stay and backing out of the deal at the 11th hour. Now they have a bird in hand with this potential sale. They gave up control of the Palms casino in Vegas after losing a fortune there.
In summary; they lost the Palms, ruined the Kings, alienated the entire Sactown fan base and have been completely unprofessional in all thier dealings - and they want to 'have input'?
Yeah, don't see that happening, guys.
I'd be surprised if the Hansen/Ballmer group allowed the Maloofs to retain any ownership stake in the team. They've been bad for business an I can't imagine they want that circus up in Seattle. The Hansen/Ballmer group may be willing to over pay for a team, but they aren't going to be held hostage. That won't happen. They've waited this long, they'll wait it out until the right deal is done, sensible heads prevail, or they'll move on.
It's almost imperative this deal gets done - for the sake of the closing this chapter on the Maloofs and the Kings. It's becoming a Tebow-like circus. Somewhere behind closed doors, David Stern must be gnashing his teeth. Stern ushered the SuperSonics out of Seattle and publicly regrets it - this is his golden opportunity to right that wrong as his tenure as Commish is drawing to an end.
Until the next chapter...
Friday, January 11, 2013
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
All Signs Point North - Kings Moving to Seattle.
Internet rumors are running rampant that the sale of the Sacrmento Kings to the Seattle group led by Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer and San Francisco hedge fund manager Steve Hanson could be imminent.
Premilinary details, via Yahoo sports and twitter, suggest the team will be sold for around $500 million, but with the intent and understanding they will move the team to Seattle in time for the 2013/14 season. The team, which will be renamed the Sonics, an homage to the team that was moved to Oklahoma City four miserable years ago.
The Sonics were formed in 1967 in Seattle and won the city's only modern era championship in 1979. In 2007, Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz, embittered by the difficulties of owning an NBA team, sold the team to an Oklahoma contingent who proceded to gut the team's players and Seattle personnel en route to moving the team to Oklahoms City, despite repeated insistance they boought the team to keep it in Seattle. It's arguably the darkest day in Seattle sports history as the Sonics were notoriously popular in Seattle, the Northwest and around the country.
Details are still emerging, and as of now the deal is not complete. The Maloofs have backed out of several deals at the 11th hour before, so while this is not a confirmed deal, all signs point to a deal being imminent. The Maloofs allegedly agreed to a deal for a new arena in Sacramanto last year, but famously backed out, thus alienating themselves in the city the Kings have called home since 1985. The Maloofs have fallen on hard times financially as their Las Vegas club The Palms is losing money.
The sale of the team seemed a forgoen conclusion to those follwing the story. It was just amatter of finding the right opportunity. That's when Ballmer and Hanson fell in their lap. The teams most often mentioned as a potential destination for the beleaguered Kings franchise were Anaheim, Virginia Beach and Kansas City. VB recently pulled out of the running, Anaheim has been considered too tricky due to having the Clippers and Lakers in that market already, and KC doesn't appear to have any momentum.
Steve Hanson emerged last year when he led the charge to build a multi-purpose area in the "South of Downtown" area of Seattle (aka SODO). The new arena, funded by a mix or private and public funding, will be built on the south end of where the Seahawks stadium is. Hanson bought the land with the intent to build an arena and bring the NBA, and possibly a n NHL team, to Seattle.
Premilinary details, via Yahoo sports and twitter, suggest the team will be sold for around $500 million, but with the intent and understanding they will move the team to Seattle in time for the 2013/14 season. The team, which will be renamed the Sonics, an homage to the team that was moved to Oklahoma City four miserable years ago.
The Sonics were formed in 1967 in Seattle and won the city's only modern era championship in 1979. In 2007, Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz, embittered by the difficulties of owning an NBA team, sold the team to an Oklahoma contingent who proceded to gut the team's players and Seattle personnel en route to moving the team to Oklahoms City, despite repeated insistance they boought the team to keep it in Seattle. It's arguably the darkest day in Seattle sports history as the Sonics were notoriously popular in Seattle, the Northwest and around the country.
Details are still emerging, and as of now the deal is not complete. The Maloofs have backed out of several deals at the 11th hour before, so while this is not a confirmed deal, all signs point to a deal being imminent. The Maloofs allegedly agreed to a deal for a new arena in Sacramanto last year, but famously backed out, thus alienating themselves in the city the Kings have called home since 1985. The Maloofs have fallen on hard times financially as their Las Vegas club The Palms is losing money.
The sale of the team seemed a forgoen conclusion to those follwing the story. It was just amatter of finding the right opportunity. That's when Ballmer and Hanson fell in their lap. The teams most often mentioned as a potential destination for the beleaguered Kings franchise were Anaheim, Virginia Beach and Kansas City. VB recently pulled out of the running, Anaheim has been considered too tricky due to having the Clippers and Lakers in that market already, and KC doesn't appear to have any momentum.
Steve Hanson emerged last year when he led the charge to build a multi-purpose area in the "South of Downtown" area of Seattle (aka SODO). The new arena, funded by a mix or private and public funding, will be built on the south end of where the Seahawks stadium is. Hanson bought the land with the intent to build an arena and bring the NBA, and possibly a n NHL team, to Seattle.
Sunday, October 14, 2012
PAC-12 Power Rankings 10-14-12
1. Oregon – Until proven otherwise – this is the team to beat in the PAC-12. We’ll see if Arizona State can knock ‘em off in Tempe this week. Ducks cannot have lackluster showing, as they’ve had lately against inferior teams, or they’ll get burned.
2. Oregon State – Lost Mannion? No biggie, as Beavs roll into Provo and punish the Mormons. Riley and Co now in the BCS picture. Are they National Championship caliber? Doubtful, but the state of Oregon clearly rules the PAC-12. Utah and Washington up next, Beavs could be 7-0 heading into ASU showdown.
3. USC – Did what good teams do sometimes – let their opponents implode and take the credit. That’s exactly what happened in Seattle. USC sleepwalked through this one. Trojans have CU, Arizona, then the showdown with Oregon. Will need a better effort to beat either one.
4. Arizona State – the 5-1 Sun Devils dismantled hapless Colorado en route to the clash with Oregon in the desert this Thursday. Biggest game for Sun Devils in a while, and they have the guns to pull the upset if Oregon doesn’t show up to play.
5. Stanford – Tough loss in South Bend. Is the Cardinal the team that took Notre Dame to the wire, or the team that bumbled against Washington? We’ll find out vs. Cal this week.
6. Arizona – Idle this week. At 3-3 and with their remaining schedule, they could go 4-2 the rest of the way and finish Rich Rod’s first season with a winning record. This week they feast on an imploding Washington team in Tucson. Wildcats getting positioned for a Bowl game.
7. UCLA – Didn’t exactly dominate Utah, but a win is a win and UCLA is 5-2. A week off before heading to Tempe – where we will find out what the Bruins are made of. A bowl in Mora’s first season looks realistic, but closing out the season with Arizona, ASU, USC and Stanford will make challenging. A “W” has already been pencilled in for the WSU game. Duh.
8. Cal – Can’t really puff out your chest by beating a hapless Wazzu team. They make anyone look good by comparison. Cal should’ve won in a blowout, but they only managed what WSU gave ‘em. Not impressive at all.
9. Utah – Kept the UCLA game competitive, but knowing UCLA it was them playing down to their opponent, a tradition in Westwood. Next loss; Oregon State. Utah does not belong in the PAC-10. At least Wazzu can claim tenure.
10. Washington – Continue to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. Every opportunity to challenge USC was bumbled away. The play that encapsulated U-Dub perfectly; the kick catch interference penalty; 100% preventable, 100% moronic. I can’t remember the last time I saw that called, because teams are smarter than that. This team is reminiscent of the Neuheisel teams; undisciplined, only make an appearance for one half, and in serious trouble. Someone needs to file a missing person’s report on Keith Price, STAT. A text book clinic on how to lose a game in every way. The white helmets are a nice touch, too; they scream out ‘we surrender’. Now they get a very good Arizona team in the desert. Uh oh…..
11. Colorado – Blown out by ASU, what else did you expect? USC, Oregon, Stanford and Arizona coming up. Probably the worst CU team of all time. Can someone please explain why the PAC-10 wanted this disaster? Oh yeah, TV money. How thrilling for the fans.
12. Washington State – Watching the Wazzu game, two words came to mind; amateur hour. They used to play football on the Palouse, but not anymore. Every imaginable mistake was made, and that’s just Halliday. Looks like Leach is dumping his ‘sleep walking’ seniors to give under-classmen experience. It’ll pay off, but not this year. Bellevue High could challenge this inept group.
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
PAC 12 Weekend Primer - Sept 22
OSU @ UCLA - UCLA is in for a fight in the Coliseum, but they will be prepared for the Beavers. Look for UCLA to continue to impress by playing fundamental, mistake free football – and continue to be the only undefeated PAC-12 team in Los Angeles. Sorry Beavs, UCLA is for real, not so sure about Wisconsin. UCLA 31, OSU 13.
COLO @ WSU – This is what I’d call the crummy game of the week; the impending disaster that is Colorado vs. the completely unpredictable WSU. Neither has any defense, but WSU does have two wins and some pride and there’s no way Leach lets them lose to Colorado – there is no quicker way to get on the hot seat. The only drama will be how long until CU fires the coach. WSU will play down to CU, making it tougher than it needs to be, but they prevail; 24-13.
CAL @ USC I would hate to be the team that has to face USC’s wrath after the Stanford debacle. They will punish Cal for scheduling this. Barkley will have a big day passing – look for 350 + yards passing as USC pads some stats - to get his name back into the Heisman race – not because he deserves it, but because he’s marketable and makes headlines and USC needs good press this week. Sucks to be Cal this week. USC 55, Cal 17
UTAH @ ASU – Perhaps the best game of the week – Utah is coming on, but lost Jordan Winn for the season. ASU is rising quickly and can’t afford to lose this game at home –ASU 29, Utah 17
ARIZ @ ORE Get ready for some scoring. There could be a hundred points scored in this game – unfortunately for Arizona most of it will be by the Ducks. Newbie Rich Rodriguez has to go in to Autzen and learn what all the fuss is about. ‘Cats will be on the wrong side of the equation –Rodriguez had speedster Denard Robinson during his short stay at Michigan- so he recognizes speed – and Oregon has at least four players on offense that fast. Expect a nightmare initiation for Rich - Oregon will hang 40 by halftime and then let off the gas; Oregon 58, Arizona 31.
Preview: Next Thursday Night – Stanford at Washington. Stanford is big, strong, fundamental, confident and healthy and coming off a huge win. UW is none of those. Stanford will pull an LSU on the undersized UW lines and pound them all day and pressure Price in hopes of wearing him out. With no running game for support, it could be a tough day for Price.
UW must create a smart and crafty game plan and resist predictable play-calling. Stanford coordinators are top notch and will make you pay. Hopefully they don’t give up in the 2nd quarter, like they did in Baton Rouge. Stanford is a winnable game for UW – but this team has to start with fundamental football – basic blocking and tackling and pass catching – and they really need to show some strength of character and good old-fashioned fight.
Another embarrassing loss on a nationally televised stage and Sarkisian job security will be an issue. This is a must-win for UW on many levels and Sarkisian knows it. A blow out loss here could be mentally devastating for this team. I’ll be at the game and I want to pick UW, but from what we’ve seen so far, it just doesn’t seem realistic. UW gets an emotional start and leads in the first half, but Stanford’s superiority takes over in the second half and simply pushes UW around – Stanford 34, UW 17.
Friday, June 22, 2012
Heat Scorch Zombies, Crush Championship Run
In case you've been living under a rock - there's big news: LeBron James is finally hoisting an NBA championship trophy! The monkey is off his back. King James has justified himself and taking his talents to South Beach.
Even bigger news though, is that Seattle's most hated man, Clay Bennett, is NOT hoisting a trophy...and that brings a satisfying smile to my face. I'm not excited the Zombie Sonics lost, oh no, I am glad Bennett lost. I want him to savor the bitter taste of defeat for a long, long time time. The same bitter taste he left in Sonics fans mouths. It's called just desserts.
In what was to be an epic finals match-up, I was left with no one to root for, so I chose the lesser of the evils and wished a ring for LeBron. The thought of Bennett gaining satisfaction from his thugged team...is too much to bear. As long as he is the owner, I am motivated to root against that team.
After reading this, I feel even better that Presti is tasting defeat. He built a solid nucleus but really screwed Seattle intentionally. I still cannot understand why Presti would want out of Seattle.
Here's the link to the article - http://mynorthwest.com/384/689920/Tom-Savage-understands-Sonics-fans-pain
The greatest part about the Zombies championship run, for Seattle fans, is the media coverage of the loss of the Sonics and the shady way it went down has been played out across the country. With Sonicsgate airing nationally on CNBC fans across the country now understand the shady, deceitful way Bennett took the Sonics from Seattle. The 'Seattle didn't support the team' nonsense that was spouted by ignorant ilk has been proven to be utterly false, and the fans and media now know it. All of this pro-Seattle momentum is part of a wave that'll likely result in a Sonics team returning to Seattle soon. Thank Chris Hansen and the Sonicsgate guys for all their efforts.
The Zombies played well, but not well enough. They came up against a buzz-saw in The Heat, a team that knew they'd never be able to live with the fall out of another loss in the finals. This season was all about the ring, and now they can cross that task off their NBA bucket list. Ther Zombies were the sacrificial lambs....this time.
You could see it in game four; the Heat simply broke the Zombies will, making the game five blowout not so much a surprise, but a foregone conclusion. The Zombies hung around, but somehow you just knew this night was LeBron's night. That game face, that I-won't-be-denied will, that Jordon-esque desire.
Ironically, the Zombies lost four straight games - after the Sonics Rally took place in Seattle. Karma? Hmmmm....
Congratulations King James, today you are a champion and you've earned it, so savor it. As for Clay Bennett; enjoy the taste of defeat. You've earned that as well. Savor it.
Even bigger news though, is that Seattle's most hated man, Clay Bennett, is NOT hoisting a trophy...and that brings a satisfying smile to my face. I'm not excited the Zombie Sonics lost, oh no, I am glad Bennett lost. I want him to savor the bitter taste of defeat for a long, long time time. The same bitter taste he left in Sonics fans mouths. It's called just desserts.
In what was to be an epic finals match-up, I was left with no one to root for, so I chose the lesser of the evils and wished a ring for LeBron. The thought of Bennett gaining satisfaction from his thugged team...is too much to bear. As long as he is the owner, I am motivated to root against that team.
After reading this, I feel even better that Presti is tasting defeat. He built a solid nucleus but really screwed Seattle intentionally. I still cannot understand why Presti would want out of Seattle.
Here's the link to the article - http://mynorthwest.com/384/689920/Tom-Savage-understands-Sonics-fans-pain
The greatest part about the Zombies championship run, for Seattle fans, is the media coverage of the loss of the Sonics and the shady way it went down has been played out across the country. With Sonicsgate airing nationally on CNBC fans across the country now understand the shady, deceitful way Bennett took the Sonics from Seattle. The 'Seattle didn't support the team' nonsense that was spouted by ignorant ilk has been proven to be utterly false, and the fans and media now know it. All of this pro-Seattle momentum is part of a wave that'll likely result in a Sonics team returning to Seattle soon. Thank Chris Hansen and the Sonicsgate guys for all their efforts.
The Zombies played well, but not well enough. They came up against a buzz-saw in The Heat, a team that knew they'd never be able to live with the fall out of another loss in the finals. This season was all about the ring, and now they can cross that task off their NBA bucket list. Ther Zombies were the sacrificial lambs....this time.
You could see it in game four; the Heat simply broke the Zombies will, making the game five blowout not so much a surprise, but a foregone conclusion. The Zombies hung around, but somehow you just knew this night was LeBron's night. That game face, that I-won't-be-denied will, that Jordon-esque desire.
Ironically, the Zombies lost four straight games - after the Sonics Rally took place in Seattle. Karma? Hmmmm....
Congratulations King James, today you are a champion and you've earned it, so savor it. As for Clay Bennett; enjoy the taste of defeat. You've earned that as well. Savor it.
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
OKC Owners: The True Bad Guys in 2012 NBA Finals
This is a re-post of an excellent article By Mike McCall from The Advocate.
As sports fans, we like it when matchups break down along clearly drawn lines: good guys versus bad guys, David versus Goliath, our country versus their country.
At first glance, the NBA Finals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Miami Heat fit the bill.
There’s the Heat, aiming to take over the league behind LeBron James, who joined the evil empire after calling a live TV special to betray his home state and leave the Cleveland Cavaliers.
On the other side, you have the white knight Thunder led by Kevin Durant, an unassuming star who was still buying T-shirts at WalMart even after becoming a millionaire, and who announced his contract extension with the Thunder in anti-James fashion, through a simple, gracious tweet.
Essentially, James, Dwyane Wade & Co. are the Monstars from “Space Jam,” while Durant plays the Michael Jordan role as leader of the Tune Squad. As if that line between good and evil wasn’t clear enough, the Heat even suit up in classic bad-guy colors — black and red — and a logo emblazoned with fire.
But look beyond the on-court show, and it’s harder to tell who the good guys are.
After all, the Thunder’s feel-good story is built atop a lie.
If not for a deceitful purchase of the Seattle Sonics, the Thunder wouldn’t exist. In 2006, a group of Oklahoma City businessmen led by Clayton Bennett and backed by the wallet of Aubrey McClendon bought the Sonics. They immediately promised to fight to keep the team in the Pacific Northwest.
But they didn’t. They half-tried to build a new arena in Seattle, but they always planned to move the team. McClendon even said so in a 2007 interview, for which he was fined a whopping $250,000 by the NBA.
Then there was Bennett’s famous e-mail that he was a “man possessed” and would “do everything we can” to accomplish his goals for the franchise.
In court, Bennett made the laughable claim that his goal was to stay in Seattle, even though his e-mail was a response to his partners asking how soon they could move the team, and even though he contacted the NBA about relocation soon afterward.
Perhaps the Sonics never would have left if the city had provided a new arena, or if the mayor hadn’t chosen to settle a lawsuit just hours before a verdict that could have locked the team into its lease in Seattle.
But the bottom line is that Bennett and his gang are low-down, dirty rotten thieves who stole Seattle’s team.
That’s why the Thunder’s owners are the only true villains in the building during the NBA Finals.
Sure, James, Wade and Chris Bosh have done their best at times to be hated, but in reality, LeBron’s televised break-up with Cleveland raised millions for charity, and the trio opted for lower salaries for the chance to play together.
Maybe that doesn’t make them angels, but it shouldn’t make them demons either.
And maybe the Thunder’s owners pilfering a franchise so the NBA could thrive in their town doesn’t make them evil.
But it sure as heck doesn’t make them the good guys.
As sports fans, we like it when matchups break down along clearly drawn lines: good guys versus bad guys, David versus Goliath, our country versus their country.
At first glance, the NBA Finals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Miami Heat fit the bill.
There’s the Heat, aiming to take over the league behind LeBron James, who joined the evil empire after calling a live TV special to betray his home state and leave the Cleveland Cavaliers.
On the other side, you have the white knight Thunder led by Kevin Durant, an unassuming star who was still buying T-shirts at WalMart even after becoming a millionaire, and who announced his contract extension with the Thunder in anti-James fashion, through a simple, gracious tweet.
Essentially, James, Dwyane Wade & Co. are the Monstars from “Space Jam,” while Durant plays the Michael Jordan role as leader of the Tune Squad. As if that line between good and evil wasn’t clear enough, the Heat even suit up in classic bad-guy colors — black and red — and a logo emblazoned with fire.
But look beyond the on-court show, and it’s harder to tell who the good guys are.
After all, the Thunder’s feel-good story is built atop a lie.
If not for a deceitful purchase of the Seattle Sonics, the Thunder wouldn’t exist. In 2006, a group of Oklahoma City businessmen led by Clayton Bennett and backed by the wallet of Aubrey McClendon bought the Sonics. They immediately promised to fight to keep the team in the Pacific Northwest.
But they didn’t. They half-tried to build a new arena in Seattle, but they always planned to move the team. McClendon even said so in a 2007 interview, for which he was fined a whopping $250,000 by the NBA.
Then there was Bennett’s famous e-mail that he was a “man possessed” and would “do everything we can” to accomplish his goals for the franchise.
In court, Bennett made the laughable claim that his goal was to stay in Seattle, even though his e-mail was a response to his partners asking how soon they could move the team, and even though he contacted the NBA about relocation soon afterward.
Perhaps the Sonics never would have left if the city had provided a new arena, or if the mayor hadn’t chosen to settle a lawsuit just hours before a verdict that could have locked the team into its lease in Seattle.
But the bottom line is that Bennett and his gang are low-down, dirty rotten thieves who stole Seattle’s team.
That’s why the Thunder’s owners are the only true villains in the building during the NBA Finals.
Sure, James, Wade and Chris Bosh have done their best at times to be hated, but in reality, LeBron’s televised break-up with Cleveland raised millions for charity, and the trio opted for lower salaries for the chance to play together.
Maybe that doesn’t make them angels, but it shouldn’t make them demons either.
And maybe the Thunder’s owners pilfering a franchise so the NBA could thrive in their town doesn’t make them evil.
But it sure as heck doesn’t make them the good guys.
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Epic Finals? Not for Sonics Fans
It's a sad day to be a Super Sonics fan. This years NBA finals is an absolutely epic matchup and has all the makings of a classic series.
The young, hungry Zombie Sonics versus the veteran Heat. The team built around the quite Kevin Durant, the Sonics first-round pick and the face of humbleness, vs LeBron James who not-so-quietly 'took his talents to South Beach" and middle-fingered Cleveland in the process.
As a former Seattleite and permanent Sonics fan, this is an especially tough series. The promise of an instant classic, for which I cannot root for either team. I have no dog in this fight and it looks to be a classic fight. Both these teams are dripping with motivation and talent and it'll be wither Durant coyly raisint the trophy of LaBron finally getting the curse off his back. The winners in all of this will be the fans who will bear witness.
No outcome will be satisfying for us Seattleites. If the Zombies win it's that should be the Sonics celebrating and if the Heat win it'll be I can't root for the Heat. I can't pull for a team and a player that screwed over Cleveland - a place that is already the poster child for hard-luck sports fans. I know too many Clevelanders and I feel their pain: they were so close...just like Seattle should be.
There's no winning in this Finals for Sonics fans, sadly, but the rest of the country is about to be treated to one of the best match-ups in years. I imagine every Clevelander is pulling for a Zombie sweep - and they should. I certainly don't begrudge those that root for the Zombies; they have a great team and vocal fans (just like Seattle, which Charles Barkley called the toughest place to play in the NBA beause of it's notoriously rabid fanbase) and the Heat set themselves up to be perfect foil. They have the sunshine, the beaches, the all start roster and most of a county rooting against them.
As much as my interest in the NBA has waned, this is a Finals matchup that should make any apathetic fan sit up and cheer for someone. It makes it even worse for Sonics fans; we're forced to choose between what was wrongfully ripped away, or those clowns from South Beach, and that's really no choice at all. It's a shame, really.
Good luck to both teams, may the series be injury-free...although I would be fine if Clay Bennett pulled a groin.
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