Just had to get that off my chest!! And isn't it about time for a NEW commisioner? Hasn't Stern been on the job for close to 25 years?? I think its time for a change...fast!! Most commissioners last a couple decades right, so what's he waiting for?
I could not agree with you more. The NBA hasn't had a decent commissioner since Larry O'Brien. All Stern is concerned with is money. If Stern had his way, the NBA Championship would alway be between LA, Chicago, and/or New York? Why? Because they have the largest TV market which means more money to the NBA in advertising dollars.
I would hope that true NBA fans do care about what's happening up here in Seattle. This has the potential to significantly blow up in the NBA' s face. We just built this team an arena 13 years ago that is a wonderful place to watch a game.
Essentially, because the economics now call for teams to pay Wally Sczerbiak $14M and Jerome James $10M a year, the NBA says that signed leases are no longer valid, and that cities have to fund their overspending.
While I want to keep the Sonics, if we do settle or ultimately lose the team, I hope any condition of the deal includes a guarantee that this league NEVER set foot in Seattle again. Oh, and that Stern resign as commissioner. Which he may have to do if this goes to antitrust trial. Those freaking clowns...bleed them to death.
I have lost all respect for the NBA and especially David Stern. I can't believe how arrogant he is being and how loyal he is being to Clay Bennett. I would have considered Stern a decent commissioner up until this whole debacle. This will be one of the biggest atrocities by a commissioner since Rose's ban from the Hall..unbelievable that something like this could happen in today's day and age.
My favorite clip on the radio is 13 years ago when Key Arena was re-done and Stern visiting said it is a great facility, the Ackerlys should be proud, all the sightlines are great, the city should be proud... can so much change so fast???
Couldn't have said it better myself. I hope the ok team fails. I pretty much didn't watch any NBA this year other than T-Wolves. If the Sonics move I'm going to watch even less. Stern benefitted from Jordan and in turn drove it into the ground.
I am not a Sonics Fan. But I agree that Stern should go and the purchase from Clay Bennett should be canceled. As a Portland Trail Blazer Fan, I want the Sonics to stay in the Northwest. I have been to Key Arena and I find no problem with it other than updating. How David Stern can be in favor of taking a team out of an area that has been there for 41 years and loyal to their team is an insult to the NBA. Why should the tax payers be "scolded" by major league teams and owners for the financial mess they have self inflicted on themselves. The new owners "gutted their team" (Ray Allen & Rashard Lewis) and lied to their fans. It is hard to believe that the NBA lives in a "bubble" and is not aware of economic conditions from Gas Prices, Jobs lost overseas, and a healthcare crisis. Players and owners are being supported for the most part by middle class citizens, paying for multimillion dollar contracts and billionaire owners. Some day that "well might become dry". Clay Bennet in my opinion has deceived the Seattle Fans and David Stern has awarded the deceipt by appearing to scold the citizens of Seattle Metro Area. Oklahoma City does not have the long term capabilty of supporting the Sonics long term. This has become another rich mans toy. Shame on you David Stern!
Well said!! I could not agree with you more on every comment you made. I'm not a Sonics fan either (as you can tell by my avatar) but I hate to see the Sonics leave. I have been to Key Arena and it's a decent facility. Yes, it's not as nice as what we are spoiled with at the Rose Garden but it's an NBA worthy arena. David Stern is an idiot and Clay Bennett is a liar along with the rest of his ownership group. The e-mails exchange prove that it was never Bennett's intent to keep them in Seattle.
As for the owners and their whining, well they have no one to blame but themselves. I realize that pro sports is now a business and the players are the product, but it's to owners that agreed to pay the players the exhorbitant salaries which in turn equates to the high ticket prices, high concession prices ($8.00 for 12 oz. beer at the Rose Garden), etc.
I hope Bennett gets screwed by the courts and he is forced to sell. I hope David Stern gets fired as the NBA Commissioner as well. Unfortunately I don't think either will happen anytime soon.
