Jul 05 2008
The Sonic Situation
In the most egregious abuse of ownership power in the last ten years, Clay Bennett has finally gotten permission from the NBA to move the nearly 40-year-old Sonic franchise to Oklahoma City. We obviously all have heard the whole news story, but let’s move on to reconciliation.
Seattle will feel what us fans in Portland have been feeling pretty much our entire lives. It’s a condition of not having a sports team I call sansequipitis. Much like Seasonal Affective Disorder, it makes little to no sense, but causes extreme bouts of depression and obsessive watching of Fox Sports NW. We fans from Portland grew up with these feelings, rooting by proxy for teams like the Seahawks or the Niners, the Mariners or the Giants, due to our city’s lack of team or lack of trying for a team. (The Portland Rockies? Come on.) We know your feeling, Seattle, and we’re more than willing to welcome you into our family, as you have welcomed us into watching the Seahawks and the Mariners.
We have a long-standing tradition of all-inclusiveness as Blazer fans. We pretty much welcome anyone who’s heard of the team (which makes up about 10% of NBA fans). Now is the time to join too, as no one will accuse you of jumping on the bandwagon. Oden hasn’t played a game (aside from occasional runs at 24 Hour Fitness in Tualatin), Rudy hasn’t played a game (aside from being, you know, the best player in Europe). You get to follow the rise of a team under Nate McMillan from sub-.500 to playoff glory (kind of like in 04-05).
These are only a couple of reasons to join us, and there will be more to come. You’ve welcomed us for so long, Seattle. We’re more than happy to return the favor for you.
