NBA's Commisioner Stern wants NBA out of the Northwest.

[Cascadian]

The Seattle Supersonics aren't the only Northwest team that is facing the possiblity of moving away. There are problems with the Portland Trail Blazers. David Stern has also been complaining about the Rose Garden arena as being "inadequate". It also looks like Paul Allen maybe selling the Blazers and maybe they will be good as gone. Leaving the Pacific Northwest with no teams in the NBA. I can only point to the fact that Stern has no interest in having any NBA teams in the Northwest. I guess the "experiment" with Vancouver having the Grizzlies was the first clue after they moved to Memphis. How many more times does the cities of Portland and Seattle have to fricking accomodate sports teams with new arenas or stadia? Are we going to go through this 20 or 30 years from now with the Seahawks and Mariners? Will Portland have to deal with this idiocy when MLB Baseball and the NFL come calling? It's just getting insane.


John

[pscot]

1. The "fact" that Stern doesn't want a team in the Northwest

is no fact, but mere speculation on your part. The real fact is that both Portland and Seattle have been good for the NBA and vice versa. Both teams have enjoyed overwhelming fan support for most of their existence. (They don't call it rip-city for nothing.) Both have won national championships. And there is a terrific rivalry between the two cities. Both teams have fallen on hard times recently, partly as a result of poor management and partly as a result of the NBA's screwed up business model. That doesn't necesarily mean that pro basketall is doomed in the northwest. If your dad comes down with pneumonia you don't schlep him off to the cemetary straight-away. You call the doctor, administer anti-biotics and apply whatever other measures are needed to get the old man back on his feet. I think it's way to early to call a hearse and break out the crepe. The Sonics new owners profess to be honorable men who want to rejuvenate the team and who are willing to work with local government on a plan for a new arena. What to we have to lose by taking them at their word?

[oldtime dfl_er]

2. Let's just hope you're right

Seattle doesn't 'need' the Sonics but it's nice having them here.

http://www.cafepress.com/scarebaby/1648734

[pscot]

3. Right now trusting the new guys

is our only hope of keeping the team. Just think how grim those long, dark winter evenings will be if the Sonics leave and we're left with nothing but "Reality" shows and 'I Love Raymond' reruns.

[geniph]

4. You watch, there's already a deal in the works

My prediction: Paul Allen will sell the Trailblazers to the Okie City owners and buy the Sonics. It was the Sonics he wanted in the first place. The Hornets will go back to NOLA, the Blazers will go to Okie City, and the Sonics will stay here.

[maxsolomon]

5. that deal sucks

screw OKC. screw the hornets.

let OKC keep the hornets & leave us out of it. NOLA could give a flying fig about BB right now or in the next 10 years.