Nah, doesn't do much for me All for keeping the name. Change the colors and uniforms(but then, they won't really be the Sonics then would they?) Maybe the blue and lime green(?) the Seahawks and Sounders use
Christopher Hansen had a major press conference today to unveil his proposal alongside mayor McGinn. I've got to say this sounds damn promising so far. He's ponying up 290 million towards a 500 million dollar arena, Hansen owns the land, and they've agree to fund cost overruns (and project always run over in King County). The remaining funds would come from arena taxes. The football and baseball stadiums actually paid off early via the same tax process, so this isn't pie in the sky funding mechanics. The location is awesome too, on the south side of downtown near the other ball parks. It would easily tie into the downtown community and could be linked the rail\bus lines quite easily. This is pretty much the dream funding for an arena in the Seattle area, and with a few teams possibly looking to move, the timing is impeccable. Full Seattle Times article: I don't much like having Wilkens on the review panel (because he's a washed up has been), and Drago is probably the single worst council member (because she's a bitter old woman who hasn't been laid since the 1970's.). I've got to say having the Kings relocate here and being able to see Chuck play again would be awesome, and as much as I love Portland, it would be nice not having to drive that far to see the Rockets play.
Hope they get a team back there, it really sucks how the fan base there got fcked over and their team hijacked.
The Hornets have strong support by their city and business sector even if fan support is poor. They are just like the Rockets. The Kings can't even get a naming sponsor for their building.
Between Stern dashing the Rockets' rebuilding plans and helping his bud Clay royally screw over Seattle, the commish is not on my nice list. It just seems like the Kings are going to move this summer. The latest news on the new arena does not sound promising, and they have a March 1 deadline to get their act together. If they do move, Seattle would be the ideal spot assuming they build a new arena. Otherwise I assume it would be Anneheim like the Maloofs wanted last summer or possibly Vegas. Stern won't let the Hornets leave. He's invested too much public good will into the New Orelans area. He'll find a new owner eventually, but there will be a secret agreement that team has to stay for at least a few years. The Grizz seem like they've gotten their act together and are drawing crowds. The thing I'm curious about is would the Maloofs sell the team to Hansen. If not, there's no incentive for him to build that arena. I know they were having massive financial problems last year and got to the point they had trouble making payroll a couple of times. But I would think that an improving economy would mean better revenue for their real estate in Vegas. And for the record, I think it's chutzpah of the highest order to put that asshat Clay Bennet in charge of the 7 member NBA committee on franchise relocation. That's like putting a cartel king in charge of the DEA.
I'm living in Seattle these days and would LOVE an NBA team here. Had drinks with a friend at Shawn Kemp's restaurant the other night and the big fella was there, looking in better shape than he was during his last few years in the league.
