I know Seattle is in our rear view mirror but....

[Grendel_Knight1974]

I thought this was interesting. I especially found the notes at the bottom of the article to be of interest.


http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sonics/2008263307_soni14.html


I still get a chuckle when I see people say they are "getting frustrated" with Mayor Nichols there in Seattle.

[Fast | Break]

10-15 years, maybe. The city doesn't want to make the investment in an NBA team right now. The citizens decided that. It's their choice, and it's pretty simple. That nobody up there can figure that out, after all this madness, is astounding.

[StormFan93]

10-15 years, maybe. The city doesn't want to make the investment in an NBA team right now. The citizens decided that. It's their choice, and it's pretty simple. That nobody up there can figure that out, after all this madness, is astounding.

5 Years Tops. There are too many people getting involved for it not to be a reality.

[Fast | Break]

5 Years Tops. There are too many people getting involved for it not to be a reality.

I wish you the best of luck, but you guys are going to have a lot of competition for the next team that comes available.

[StormFan93]

I wish you the best of luck, but you guys are going to have a lot of competition for the next team that comes available.

I don't think a Vegas without an arena and a Kansas City that can barely support the two teams it has is much competition. The second the Sonics left, Seattle jettisoned to the top of the NBA list.

[Fast | Break]

I don't think a Vegas without an arena and a Kansas City that can barely support the two teams it has is much competition. The second the Sonics left, Seattle jettisoned to the top of the NBA list.

Or, on the other hand, KC with a brand new arena, and a want for the NBA vs. Seattle with a history of fighting the NBA tooth and nail every step of the way for an arena.

[Doug Loudenback]

5 Years Tops. There are too many people getting involved for it not to be a reality.
StormFan93, you're one of my favorites here and so I need to put this gently, out of respect. First, what you said sounds reminiscent of what SOS said, but we know how that worked out. Second, I hope that you get your wish. Third, if Seattle/Washington didn't do what was needed to be done for a few years before Bennett's group came on the Seattle scene, even in the closing frenzy with the Balmer proposal near the end of that time, an objective view (as opposed to wishful thinking, no disrespect intended) wouldn't seem to give credence to Seattle getting a team for as long as the parameters of that happening remain as they are. I feel for you and I want that to happen for you, but I just can't see that it will happen. Time-line (5, 10, whatever) years is not the deal ... necessary financial commitment by city/state organizations, as well as one or more private investors, IS the deal. What's needed is for (1) local convergence of government and business interests, combined with (2) team availability. When all local government/business elements converge AND a team becomes available, yes, it will likely happen.

If you have not had a birthday, you are 15. What is your guess as to when the stars will converge in the heavens and Seattle/Washington and private investors will be completely unified and will come together ... AND a team will be available either by relocation or NBA expansion ...


When the moon is in the Seventh House
And Jupiter aligns with Mars
Then peace will guide the planets
And love will steer the stars
We've been really lucky in Oklahoma City that analogous convergences occurred when they did. Unless something is new that I'm not aware of, Seattle has not set itself along a path that would lead to such a thing.

Off topic: How's it coming for a trip to OKC ... remember that my free game ticket/room/board/local transportation still stands. Just let me know. You can pick the game.

[StormFan93]

StormFan93, you're one of my favorites here and so I need to put this gently, out of respect. First, what you said sounds reminiscent of what SOS said, but we know how that worked out. Second, I hope that you get your wish. Third, if Seattle/Washington didn't do what was needed to be done for a few years before Bennett's group came on the Seattle scene, even in the closing frenzy with the Balmer proposal near the end of that time, an objective view (as opposed to wishful thinking, no disrespect intended) wouldn't seem to give credence to Seattle getting a team for as long as the parameters of that happening remain as they are. I feel for you and I want that to happen for you, but I just can't see that it will happen. Time-line (5, 10, whatever) years is not the deal ... necessary financial commitment by city/state organizations, as well as one or more private investors, IS the deal. What's needed is for (1) local convergence of government and business interests, combined with (2) team availability. When all local government/business elements converge AND a team becomes available, yes, it will likely happen.

If you have not had a birthday, you are 15. What is your guess as to when the stars will converge in the heavens and Seattle/Washington and private investors will be completely unified and will come together ... AND a team will be available either by relocation or NBA expansion ...


We've been really lucky in Oklahoma City that analogous convergences occurred when they did. Unless something is new that I'm not aware of, Seattle has not set itself along a path that would lead to such a thing.

Off topic: How's it coming for a trip to OKC ... remember that my free game ticket/room/board/local transportation still stands. Just let me know. You can pick the game.

I really think that since the last legislative session, so much has changed and so much more will change by the time they meet again that the conditions will be more favorable for the legislature to allow the King County Council to approve the other $75 million for a Key Arena renovation. The big conditions that have/will change(d) are as followed:

1. They're gone. The Sonics are gone and Key Arena is nothing without an anchor NBA tenant. The city just lost somewhere in the $1 million range in naming rights, having to renegotiate with Key Bank now that the Sonics were gone.

2. The governor. Dino Rossi will be the next governor of the state of Washington. Several senator and legislative positions will switch hands. Next year you have a former Sonic (James Donaldson) running for Seattle City Council, to join another ex-athlete (UW football player Bruce Harrell). I'm trying to say that the political winds are starting to change course. Then you have the whole Gary Payton situation, don't know where he's going with that, but the more people getting involved the better.

3. The buyout. The buyout that gives the state $45 million if we can come up with a renovation. Sweetens the pot a bit for legislators.

4. I feel silly for mentioning this one, but the Fred Brown/Dave Bean arena proposal is moving forward, they've narrowed it down to three locations, won't need public funding (or so they say)

I think things have changed to the point where the outcome will be different than that of the last legislative session. I think what drove some legislators away was the fact that the group didn't own the Sonics, and it wouldn't really change Bennett's mind or course of action or the NBA Board of Governor's vote. Now that the Sonics are out of the picture, and this group is willing to go out and buy a team on top of the renovation (Grizzlies: air tight lease that can be bought out, Bobcats: Shinn ended any future success in the market, Hornets: We'll see after this season with attendance), the legislature may think differently.

Now going off topic: I've looked over what days off I have, breaks and such, and the only game I could make it to is probably the worst in terms of ticket availability. The Feburary 17th game vs. the Hornets. Either that, or cut it close for the April 3rd game vs. the Blazers. Friday night game, be back by Sunday. I don't know yet. It's all in the early planning stages. And I'm in the planning stages of getting the funds to get to and from OKC. But, it's all good :cool:

[Doug Loudenback]

Now going off topic: I've looked over what days off I have, breaks and such, and the only game I could make it to is probably the worst in terms of ticket availability. The Feburary 17th game vs. the Hornets. Either that, or cut it close for the April 3rd game vs. the Blazers. Friday night game, be back by Sunday. I don't know yet. It's all in the early planning stages. And I'm in the planning stages of getting the funds to get to and from OKC. But, it's all good :cool:
I hope you're right with your projections.

More realistically, the deal is, I already HAVE tickets. My wife doesn't go that often and I'd be happy to reserve that game for YOU! Or some other game. Pick your game and let me know. It will be so and we'll par-tay!

[Betts]

Obviously, you and your parents have to decide what you all feel comfortable doing as far as travel, etc is concerned, but if you come here to go to a game, I'll make sure you have a ticket to either game.

[the_Mont]

Anybody ever see that Friends episode, you know "The One Where They're Going to Party?" I bet a weekend of partying with Doug Dawg is similar to Ross and Chandler's escapades with Gandalf, the party wizard.


Look you don’t understand, Gandolf is amazing. Y’know you’re never know what’s gonna end up happening, you go out for a couple of beers and end up on a fishing boat to Nova Scotia!

You better be sure to pack your passport, fresh socks, and a snake bite kit, SF93...

[Doug Loudenback]

Anybody ever see that Friends episode, you know "The One Where They're Going to Party?" I bet a weekend of partying with Doug Dawg is similar to Ross and Chandler's escapades with Gandalf, the party wizard.

You better be sure to pack your passport, fresh socks, and a snake bite kit, SF93...
Yep, anything can and will happen! If I don't fall asleep, that is. :D