As I'm sure most of you do, I have a routine when I get in to work in the morning. Turn on the computer, get coffee (if I haven't already from Starbucks, which actually makes this post quite hypocritical), check my work email, check my personal email, and then click on ESPN.com. It's always where I go first, has been since college. Today, this was the cover story.
Now, the tale of woe that surrounds the NBA and Seattle has been beaten into the ground over the past four years. The villainous NBA Commissioner who allowed the lying, scheming redneck billionaire from Oklahoma City to purchase the Sonics from the lying, financially motivated coffee magnate, the sheepish mayor who wouldn't stand up to the NBA, the City Council that simply didn't care, and the state politicians who cared even less....
As painful as it all was, what's happening now in Oklahoma City is worse. The current Thunder team, which should be the current Sonics team, is the best team in the NBA's Western Conference. The roots of this team are in Seattle - the 2007-2008 team was Kevin Durant's rookie year, and it was the first year that Sam Presti was at the helm. Everybody remembers that draft, Presti's first chance to make an impact, and my lord did he. He traded away Ray Allen for draft picks, he didn't resign Rashard Lewis, and he brought in PJ Carlesimo to be the head coach. Let's not forget, that team was AWFUL. But even then, you KNEW that the pieces were beginning to fall into place. You had the most dynamic young player in the NBA in Kevin Durant. You had Jeff Green who was the 5th pick overall. You were stock piling high draft picks....the last time the Sonics were in this position was after the 1989-90 season, which as you recall, was the rookie season for another freak of nature once in a generation player.
The Sonics went 41-41 that year, but through previous trades (thanks Golden State) ended up with the second pick in the draft. Because they already had that monster power forward, there wasn't the trepidation about missing out on consensus #1 Derrick Coleman (Nice pick, Nets). The easy pick was a brash, defensive minded point guard from Oregon State named Gary Payton. All of the sudden, the Sonics had laid their foundation for the next decade. In the middle of the 1991-92 season, the Sonics fired Bernie Bickerstaff, hired George Karl and the rest as they say, is history....
Fast forward to 2008 NBA Draft. The Sonics/Thunder, fresh off of a 20-62 season and a rather abrupt move, found themselves with the fourth overall pick in the draft. Again - with an all world talent already in place, they needed a complimentary perimeter piece, someone to run the team. Enter UCLA guard Russell Westbrook. I mean, it's like the basketball gods were mocking Sonics fans. "Ok, so what we can do is essentially mimic exactly what the Sonics did in the early 90's, except we'll do it in Oklahoma City and really absolutely crush the soul's of those losers in the 206."
In the middle of the 2008-2009 season, Sam Presti fired PJ Carlesimo and named Scott Brooks head coach (Basically, sub Carlesimo for Bickerstaff and Brooks for Karl). With Durant and Westbrook in tow, the Thonics have added James Harden and Serge Ibaka through the draft, traded for Kendrick Perkins and utilized veteran role playes like Nick Collison, Nate Robinson and now Derek Fisher....for god's sakes, it's like deja vu all over again! The mid 90's Sonics built through the draft with Kemp, Payton, McMillan and Ervin Johnson, traded for Big Smooth and Detlef and signed grizzled vets like Frank Brikowski. We all know that this is THE way to build a team in the NBA. It's how you contend for a decade, and it's what you don't do if you're the New York Knicks.
So here we are in 2012, and the Oklahoma City are the 2nd best team in the NBA. They are more exciting to watch than the Heat, they are deeper than the Bulls (arguably), and they have their core in place for the next five years. If they don't win an NBA Championship with this group, I will be shocked. They are that good. And this is that bad.....
So as much pain as was inflicted in June of 2008, this is worse. This is much worse. Instead of a parade down 4th Avenue, there will be one down Main Street (I'm just assuming that that is the main drag in Oklahoma City) or maybe in Farmer Johnson's Field off the interstate.
The only thing that can make me feel better is watching YouTube clips of the Reign Man
and then having a Reign Man at Oskar's.
Now, the tale of woe that surrounds the NBA and Seattle has been beaten into the ground over the past four years. The villainous NBA Commissioner who allowed the lying, scheming redneck billionaire from Oklahoma City to purchase the Sonics from the lying, financially motivated coffee magnate, the sheepish mayor who wouldn't stand up to the NBA, the City Council that simply didn't care, and the state politicians who cared even less....
As painful as it all was, what's happening now in Oklahoma City is worse. The current Thunder team, which should be the current Sonics team, is the best team in the NBA's Western Conference. The roots of this team are in Seattle - the 2007-2008 team was Kevin Durant's rookie year, and it was the first year that Sam Presti was at the helm. Everybody remembers that draft, Presti's first chance to make an impact, and my lord did he. He traded away Ray Allen for draft picks, he didn't resign Rashard Lewis, and he brought in PJ Carlesimo to be the head coach. Let's not forget, that team was AWFUL. But even then, you KNEW that the pieces were beginning to fall into place. You had the most dynamic young player in the NBA in Kevin Durant. You had Jeff Green who was the 5th pick overall. You were stock piling high draft picks....the last time the Sonics were in this position was after the 1989-90 season, which as you recall, was the rookie season for another freak of nature once in a generation player.
Fast forward to 2008 NBA Draft. The Sonics/Thunder, fresh off of a 20-62 season and a rather abrupt move, found themselves with the fourth overall pick in the draft. Again - with an all world talent already in place, they needed a complimentary perimeter piece, someone to run the team. Enter UCLA guard Russell Westbrook. I mean, it's like the basketball gods were mocking Sonics fans. "Ok, so what we can do is essentially mimic exactly what the Sonics did in the early 90's, except we'll do it in Oklahoma City and really absolutely crush the soul's of those losers in the 206."
In the middle of the 2008-2009 season, Sam Presti fired PJ Carlesimo and named Scott Brooks head coach (Basically, sub Carlesimo for Bickerstaff and Brooks for Karl). With Durant and Westbrook in tow, the Thonics have added James Harden and Serge Ibaka through the draft, traded for Kendrick Perkins and utilized veteran role playes like Nick Collison, Nate Robinson and now Derek Fisher....for god's sakes, it's like deja vu all over again! The mid 90's Sonics built through the draft with Kemp, Payton, McMillan and Ervin Johnson, traded for Big Smooth and Detlef and signed grizzled vets like Frank Brikowski. We all know that this is THE way to build a team in the NBA. It's how you contend for a decade, and it's what you don't do if you're the New York Knicks.
So here we are in 2012, and the Oklahoma City are the 2nd best team in the NBA. They are more exciting to watch than the Heat, they are deeper than the Bulls (arguably), and they have their core in place for the next five years. If they don't win an NBA Championship with this group, I will be shocked. They are that good. And this is that bad.....
So as much pain as was inflicted in June of 2008, this is worse. This is much worse. Instead of a parade down 4th Avenue, there will be one down Main Street (I'm just assuming that that is the main drag in Oklahoma City) or maybe in Farmer Johnson's Field off the interstate.
The only thing that can make me feel better is watching YouTube clips of the Reign Man
and then having a Reign Man at Oskar's.
4
1/4 oz 151 proof rum
3 oz Midori® melon liqueur
splash orange juice
3 oz Midori® melon liqueur
splash orange juice
Sprite
Combine
Then barf.
Hi, cool post. I have been thinking about this topic,so thanks for sharing. I will probably be subscribing to your blog. Keep up great writing!!!
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