Wow, don't think I've ever hurt this much as a sports fan. I'm not gonna waste my energy laying blame or fault as to why the team formally known as the Seattle Supersonics are now the Oklahoma City Whatevers, because plenty of individuals are doing such in a much more poignant, well thought-out manner. And like others, I know I've lost the first team I truly loved. Come November 1st, I won't have a team to root for like I have for the better part of my 30 years of existence. I've lost my Sonics.
I remember falling in love with my team in 1st grade. During the first trip to the Whittier Elementary School library, we were given a look around and the opportunity to check out our first book. When the librarian asked my what I wanted, I told her I wanted something about basketball, and she said she had the perfect one for me. I came away from the library with the 1978-79 Seattle Sonics World Championship Almanac. From the moment I opened the cover, I became completely enthralled with each player, & their journey to beating the Washington Bullets for the Championship. I read about players like Gus Williams, Dennis Johnson, John Johnson, "Downtown" Freddie Brown, pre-perm Jack Sikma, Lonnie Shelton, Paul Silas, and Tom LaGarde. I read about Lenny Wilkens, and how he coached in the All-Star game that season. I read about how they knocked Kareem's Lakers out of the playoffs, and how they avenged the prior season's loss to Wes Unseld and the Bullets. I admired the photos from the Championship parade, and began to mirror the joy and happiness the fans in the pictures expressed. I basically owned that book until 5th grade I checked it out so much. From those early moments, I bled green & gold.
From there, the passion grew. I remember seeing in person Xavier McDaniel getting ejected during his rookie season for knocking out some poor sap from the Hawks. I remember the 1986-87 team shocking Akeem & the Rockets in a game 6 double OT thriller to knock the defending Western Conference champs out of the playoffs. I remember Derrick McKey. I remember chanting "BEAT LA! BEAT LA!" as Dale Ellis rained in 3 after 3 against Magic & company during a regular season victory. I remember hurting when Tom Chambers went to the Suns. I remember Shawn's double pump reverse at MSG during his rookie year, and Calabro bugging out about it. I remember Dana Barros. I remember GP rocking #2 during his rookie campaign. I remember the Kemp dunk on Alton Lister. I remember being at that same game, and watching Gary throw a 3/4 court lob to the Reign Man to ice a series-clinching playoff game against Run-TMC and Golden State. I remember Detlef. I remember listening to Sam Perkins' hip-hop show on KUBE 93 ever Sunday night. I remember Ricky Pierce. I remember the '93 Western Conference Finals, and how Dan Majerle couldn't miss an effing 3. I remember Dikembe. I remember Nick Van Exel owning the Sonics in '94-95. I remember 64 wins, and driving around with high school teammates honking when we beat the Jazz to advance to the Finals. I remember Nate McMillan. I remember being pissed at Bob Costas pregame of 1996 finals when he said Sonics beating the Bulls would be "the biggest upset in NBA history". I remember Kemp swinging his nuts in Rodman's face after he banged on him Game 5. I remember Jim McIlvane, Rich King, Benoit Benjamin, Ervin Johnson, Robert Swift, Johan Petro, Mo Sene, and every other stiff we've had at the 5 since Sikma left. I remember crying when Shawn and George Karl bounced. I remember Vin Baker being good for about 7 games. I remember Rashard sobbing when he got drafted in the 2nd round. I remember the self proclaimed "Kobe Stopper" Ruben "The Babysitter" Patterson. I remember Billy Owens & Don MacLean. I remember the Paul Westphal era. I remember wondering why Vlade Radmonovic could never string two good games together. I remember Bones Barry. I remember the Ray for GP trade, and how it was the only good thing Wally Walker ever did as GM. I remember Howard Schultz on the day he bought the team saying he guaranteed a championship in 5 years, and thinking he was a bit naive.
I could go on and on, because this is just quickly thinking of stuff that meant a lot. I'm really hoping that the future provides an opportunity for us to land another team, but I really don't know if I want that if it means making another fan from a different fan base feel like I do now. I just know I'm gonna miss my Sonics.
