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BigRedJed
7/21/2006, 02:53 AM
Here's my (umm... ...educated...) guess:

1. Oklahoma City will NOT have NBA hoops during the 2007-2008 season. Sorry to disappoint. Don't despair though, NBA hoops are a sure thing, and long term, in OKC.

2. OKC will very likely have NBA hoops in 2008-2009.

3. OKC will almost assuredly have NBA hoops in 2009-2010.

4. OKC will without question have NBA hoops in 2010-2011.

Sorry to hedge so much. If I'm betting, I'm going with 2008-2009.

There are actually several scenarios that could play out, but at the end of the day, all of them include a team in OKC, and all of them include Clay Bennett and his group as the owners of the OKC franchise.
But prepare yourselves now: we will be without an NBA team in 2007-2008. Sorry, it's killing me maybe worse than anyone who reads this, but it's true.

Here's the dealio:

Clay Bennett wasn't kidding when he said he and his ownership group were going to give their best effort at creating a viable situation in Seattle. Does that mean he's going to make it easy for them? No. However, the new owner group is going to work hard to get Seattle, and/or the state of Washington, to build a new arena and strike a favorable lease. There is actually a better chance of that happening than the media gives credit to. Don't be totally surprised if it happens. If it does, you can kiss the Sonics franchise goodbye. That said, they are going to be very tough negotiators. Don't expect Seattle and Washington to get off easy. They are going to have to pay to play.

If they don't, expect the Supersonics to be here in the fall of 2008. Why not 2007? Well, Clay gave Seattle 12 months to perform, putting something in place to build a new arena specifically. But remember, the deal doesn't close until October. Therefore, the city and state have until next October, or one month before the season starts, to put something together. Sorry, but if they don't do it, it will still be too late to move the team here for the '07-'08 season. If Seattle doesn't build an arena, the Sonics will play at least one season as a lame duck.

Now, their lease actually keeps them bound through '10. However, the lease can probably have holes punched in it. It is AWFUL, as David Stern has said time and again. If an arena deal absolutely fails, Seattle would probably also prefer not to have several seasons of lame duck ball played to empty arenas. A buyout deal could probably be reached easily. The sonics pay, based on the lease I read the other night, somewhere between $1.2 and $1.5 million per year in rent. Likely, they could multiply the seasons they want to buy out by that number. Not a steep hill for someone who just paid $350 mil for a team, and who expects to see profits in OKC of several million per year, based on the recent Hornets experience.

Speaking of the Hornets, what about them? Well, they're going back to NOLA. Next year. Whether NOLA is ready or not. And, it's probably not.

But get ready folks, the Hornets are leaving. You can kiss Chris Paul, Desmond, D. West, Peja and the boys goodbye. Enjoy this next season, cheer like they will be here forever, but remember they won't. At least for now.

Because George Shinn has ****ed off too many people. David Stern is one of those people, and the last person you want to **** of as an NBA owner is David Stern. So Stern is going to "allow" (read: force) Shinn to go back to NOLA next season. The same NOLA that hosted the worst-attended team in the league, BEFORE Katrina. The same NOLA that had very little corporate base for its NBA team BEFORE Katrina. The same NOLA where state officials bought Hornets tickets (with taxpayer dollars) and desperately passed them out to passersby, many of whom couldn't care less, to fill the house during the Hornets' games in the Big Easy last season, just so they could look good. The same NOLA where miles and miles of city still don't have electricity, where schools are closed, where they are still finding Katrina victims dead in houses, nearly a year later.

The Hornets were going broke before Katrina, and unfortunately they will almost assuredly go broke upon their return. Within three years, two years, or maybe even one year. What can Shinn do about that? Well considering the NBA board of governors has final say over whether or not he moves the team again, or who he sells the team to, precious little.

Basically, if NOLA can't support the team (and it's not very likely), he goes broke. And ultimately, has to sell. And if OKC doesn't have an NBA franchise in place, that is, if Seattle has put the wheels in motion to built an arena and has worked to retain the Sonics, who do you think his best bet is to sell to? That's right, an owner in a city where the team still has some value. Oklahoma City. And who might that owner be? An ownership group led by none other than Clay Bennett and Aubrey McClendon.

At this point, I haven't completely defined my (educated) guess, but I guess it's possible George Shinn would be offered a trade for the Supersonics. Not a bad deal for him, as they would in this scenario be stabilized, with a new arena. But I guess it's possible that he could be frozen out totally. I guess it depends on how bad he ****es people off between now and then.

But get ready to bump this thread next year when it looks like OKC won't have a team at all. Hopefully my theories will make you feel a little bit better about the situation. Tust me, it's going to look that way at some point. This is going to be a bit of a roller coaster ride. I would bet money on OKC not having a team during the 2007-2008 season. But after that, there are several things that could happen, and all of them ultimately bring the NBA hoop back to our fair city.

yermom
7/21/2006, 08:31 AM
i will really suck to have to change teams

i'm getting kinda attached to CP3, et al

Mjcpr
7/21/2006, 08:50 AM
i will really suck to have to change teams

Pucker up, handsome!

:D

OklahomaTuba
7/21/2006, 08:56 AM
Who cares about the NBA, its the WNBA that really counts.

yermom
7/21/2006, 08:57 AM
keep telling yourself that :D

SoonerInKCMO
7/21/2006, 09:03 AM
I want Jed's job. Hey Jed - you retiring anytime soon?

Sooner Born Sooner Bred
7/21/2006, 10:51 AM
I want Jed's job. Hey Jed - you retiring anytime soon?There's only one Mayor. Jimminy has next dibs.

BigRedJed
7/21/2006, 10:54 AM
i will really suck to have to change teams

i'm getting kinda attached to CP3, et al
Well, you might not have to. Don't buy Sonics gear just yet, is all I'm saying. At least wait until it's for sure that they don't have a deal done.

Unfortunately, that might mean cheering the Hornets while they play to a tomb in NOLA for a season or two. But I wouldn't throw away my Hornets gear until the Sonics make an announcement that they are moving to OKC.

Well, frankly, I'll never throw away my Hornets gear. Even if they never come back.

But I'll say this: at some point it is pretty likely that it will look like OKC is on the outside looking in, and won't have any franchise whatsoever. Remember this thread, and don't believe it.

Sooner Born Sooner Bred
7/21/2006, 10:55 AM
Look @ Jed--flying in stealth mode.

BigRedJed
7/21/2006, 10:56 AM
Stealth mode my ***. I'm out and proud.

Sooner Born Sooner Bred
7/21/2006, 10:57 AM
Stealth mode my ***. I'm out and proud.So that explains all of your Metrosechsal qualities

yermom
7/21/2006, 11:48 AM
:pop:

BRJ, that's what i'm saying, i can't just change teams now... i think i'd have a bit of a hard time getting into the Supersonics

i'm sure in the long run it won't matter as long as we have a team here. and a year off would probably help get people excited about a new team... or the old one

the thing with moving the Hornets back to NOLA reaks of PCness, no one wants to be the one to say that it doesn't make sense

OUDoc
7/21/2006, 12:12 PM
the thing with moving the Hornets back to NOLA reaks of PCness, no one wants to be the one to say that it doesn't make sense
Agreed.

sitzpinkler
7/21/2006, 12:52 PM
:pop:

BRJ, that's what i'm saying, i can't just change teams now... i think i'd have a bit of a hard time getting into the Supersonics

i'm sure in the long run it won't matter as long as we have a team here. and a year off would probably help get people excited about a new team... or the old one

the thing with moving the Hornets back to NOLA reaks of PCness, no one wants to be the one to say that it doesn't make sense

I feel the same way.

This whole deal with the Sonics has me kinda worried. I don't think people will want to support them like they did the Hornets simply because they've become too attached to the Hornets players. They're only going to get more attached this coming season with Peja playing here.

If Bennett brings in the Sonics and people are still ****ed because of losing CP3, David West and Peja, I'm afraid they'll retaliate by not supporting the Sonics. Then we lose all hope of ever keeping a major-league franchise in this city.

I think Bennett made his move a little too early. If he had waited until the situation with Hornets played out, people would be more than grateful that he went out and got us another team. The way it appears now, the NBA has no reason to want to keep the Hornets here, we already have our foot in the door with Sonics. In a way, it's like he's forced the Hornets back to NO.

Hopefully, this is all just paranoia on my part (it probably is).

OklahomaTuba
7/21/2006, 12:58 PM
New owners tell Oklahoma fans: You're the backup plan


If 12 months of negotiations in Seattle don't produce an acceptable arena, and if the Hornets go back to New Orleans as planned, then yes, his intention is to move the Sonics to Oklahoma City.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sports/2003141875_okc21.html

GottaHavePride
7/21/2006, 01:11 PM
Heh. If that article ran in the Oklahoman the headline would be "New owners tell Seattle: We expect you to fail."

GottaHavePride
7/21/2006, 01:12 PM
Actually it would probably be

"OKC will have to wait.

A.

Year."

Boarder
7/21/2006, 01:14 PM
people are still ****ed because of losing CP3, David West and Peja,


See, that's what's wrong. Why would anyone be mad about losing them? They aren't OKC's to begin with. We have had a nice treat. I prefer to be happy about the time that we do have together rather than be mad at them going back to thier rightful home. And I really want them to stay.

OUDoc
7/21/2006, 01:16 PM
See, that's what's wrong. Why would anyone be mad about losing them? They aren't OKC's to begin with. We have had a nice treat. I prefer to be happy about the time that we do have together rather than be mad at them going back to thier rightful home. And I really want them to stay.
You like to hold hands in the moonlight, don't you? ;)

BlondeSoonerGirl
7/21/2006, 01:17 PM
And you could think that those that never supported the Hornets because they didn't like them before they got here can now like the Sonics.

Those kinds of fans are easily replaced.

Boarder
7/21/2006, 01:18 PM
You like to hold hands in the moonlight, don't you? ;)
I prefer to be a Polly Positive instead of a Nancy Negative. :norm:

BigRedJed
7/21/2006, 04:52 PM
Guys, what I'm saying is this: the NBA wants the deal in Seattle to work out. If it doesn't, it doesn't. But Seattle is a major market, a world-class city. If hoop fails up there (not to mention with a 40 year old franchise that has a title under its belt), it's a bigger black eye to the league than if New Orleans can't support a team post-hurricane. Hell, everyone knows they couldn't even do so pre-Katrina. The league didn't really want Shinn to move there anyway, and it was immediately apparent the move was a mistake.

If the deal doesn't work out, we get the Sonics. There's of course a very good chance that happens. However, if it does get worked out, Bennett and the other investors will stand to reap tremendous profits in Seattle, whether by selling the team or riding it out for a few years.

But I think you're wrong about saying moving the Hornets back to NOLA reeks of PC. What it does is end the debate about whether the team can go back, it ends the uncertainty, and it ends the bitching. New Orleans, the city that was letting the team wither and slide towards bankruptcy, is now demanding their team back. So give it back. You'll be giving them enough rope to hang themselves. When the team fails, the league can throw up its hands and say, "we tried!"

Then you have the following situation: provided Seattle comes through, you have a revitalized team in a quality, major market, and you have legitimate reason to move the Hornets to a market where they will thrive, with nobody saying OKC "stole" their team. It's brilliant.

The Hornets come back to OKC to much fanfare, everyone breaks out their Hornets gear, and the love affair resumes. Oh... ...but they have a new owner. The old one finally got leveraged into selling.

I believe that is the scenario the league would prefer.

But if Seattle drops the ball, well then we get the Sonics, and the Hornets flounder until they get sold and/or move elsewhere. Not as attractive to the league, but an acceptable scenario. One team in OKC, which the league believes has proven itself, and one team to another city that is also anxious to get the NBA.

Mjcpr
7/21/2006, 04:54 PM
Will you still be able to wear your Chris Paul jersey when he's signed a FA contract with the Knicks?

;)

mdklatt
7/21/2006, 05:00 PM
Who gets to attached to players anymore? NBA rosters have a complete turnover, what, every three years? Rooting for players is more of a college fan mentality.

Gandalf_The_Grey
7/21/2006, 05:05 PM
Will you still be able to wear your Chris Paul jersey when he's signed a FA contract with the Knicks?

;)

****...The Knicks only sign 6'5"- 6'6" Center Power Forward Combo's. If the Knicks keep it they will be the only team in the league since 1978 to have a 6'1 PG 6'2" SG 6'5" SF 6'5" PF 6'5" C:hot:

BigRedJed
7/21/2006, 05:07 PM
Dude, I'll rock the Hornets CP3 jersey no matter who signs him when he turns FA, and no matter what team is playing in the FC. I have a man crush on him that rivals the one I have on Wayne Coyne.

BigRedJed
7/21/2006, 05:08 PM
If you're lucky, I'll remember to wear a T-shirt under it.

Gandalf_The_Grey
7/21/2006, 05:09 PM
I think Courtney Paris would be the Knick's biggest PF if she was there this year ;)

Mjcpr
7/21/2006, 05:11 PM
Dude, I'll rock the Hornets CP3 jersey no matter who signs him when he turns FA, and no matter what team is playing in the FC. I have a man crush on him that rivals the one I have on Wayne Coyne.

I was just joking because if the NOLA scenario plays out, I can't imagine players of his caliber wanting to stay there. If the Hornets are destined to returned to OKC I hope he stays though.

BigRedJed
7/24/2006, 04:02 PM
A little more: the league will be expanding again within the next few years. If Seattle builds an arena AND the nearly impossible happens -- that is, George Shinn finds a way to survive in NOLA -- the timeline will be moved up and OKC will get an expansion franchise. The franchise will be owned by Clay and whichever of his partners choose to sell their interest in the re-invigorated Supersonics (at a healthy profit).

Contrary to my previous musings, I'm pretty convinced there is no chance Shinn will be offered Seattle or an interest in it. Besides, he will be broke. The league doesn't want him as an owner. He has refused to sell, or even to give OKC partners first right of refusal in case he sells, dies or becomes incapacitated, so starving him is the only way to get him out of the league (his choice).

If he goes broke in NOLA, the league will retain ownership of the team, much like MLB did with the Expos/Nationals. They can then name the city the team relocates to. Or, old George could change his mind and elect to sell. The only problem for him is that the league can dictate who he sells to. They can also expressly forbid him to move the franchise again. He is screwed.

Everyone (including fans and media in Seattle) is just assuming the Sonics are coming here. Not so fast. There will be an honest effort to retain them in Seattle. Mark my words. It's better for the league to have teams in Seattle and OKC than OKC and NOLA, or OKC and wherever. If the ship is righted in Seattle it will also give Clay and Co. some serious profit potential.

Get ready for George Shinn to start treating OKC really poorly. The handwriting is on the wall; he knows OKC has slipped through his grasp, and he will start a last-ditch effort to kiss up to NOLA. Witness his attempt to get the opening night game moved from OKC to NOLA.

He's fighting a losing battle, though. The Hornets' one and only major sponsor pre-Katrina has filed for Chapter 11 and moved from New Orleans. The corporate base doesn't exist. The population base is 2/3 the size, and it would be by far the smallest NBA city. Keep in mind that pre-Katrina they were STILL last place in attendance in the league.

The Hornets play in NOLA next year, and will be playing in OKC, Kansas City, Vegas or somewhere else within a year or two of that move. The NBA can say they gave NOLA an honest effort and it failed, so no egg on its face. The Hornets are then moved to a city can support them, with a new owner.

Which city they move to only depends on whether the Bellevue arena deal gets done for the Sonics, which is actually a stronger possibility than most people think. If it does, you are likely to have two NBA teams owned by investors with Oklahoma City ties.

Ed Evans could almost certainly buy out Clay and Co. when the time comes for them to buy the Hornets or an expansion franchise. He headed up the effort to get the Nationals moved to D.C. and was the expected owner of the team. He was shocked when the Nationals went to a competing owners group. He has been looking to own a major league team for some time, and didn't even know Clay until the Supersonics deal began coming together. If you don't know his story, he was formerly president of Dobson in OKC and now is chairman of Syniverse Technologies in Tampa. I suspect the reason just he and Clay were there for the news conference is so that he can emerge as the new owner, and be a known quantity, if events allow. No sense clouding things up by having Aubrey and everyone else attending.

The one thing everyone (including myself) needs to understand and deal with: there is ZERO chance for an NBA team in OKC during the 2007-2008 season. Clay and Co. have given Seattle 12 months to perform, and the clock doesn't start ticking until closing in October. That would create an impossible timeline for relocation of the Sonics for that season. The league also wants to get the Hornets to NOLA ASAP to get the other wheels in motion.

That leaves us without hoop for at least a year. Get used to it. By the way, there is also thought that it would be less likely for a relocating Sonics team to get a warm welcome on the heels of a Hornets season. Absence makes the heart grow fonder, and hoops fans would be foaming at the mouth for the new franchise if they have to endure a year or two without the NBA.

On a personal note, I just hope whichever team ends up here gives Hornets season ticket holders first right of refusal on their current seats.

BigRedJed
7/24/2006, 04:29 PM
If you read all of that, thanks for your time. Believe me, it took much longer to type it.

Mixer!
7/24/2006, 05:10 PM
This is off-topic a bit, but has the NHL shown any interest in OKC since the Hornets success? Also, does the NBA ultimately own their franchises' names, and not the franchises themselves?

slickdawg
7/24/2006, 05:12 PM
Who cares about the NBA, its the WNBA that really counts.

The ladies still play true basketball, as Naismith intended.

Dio
7/24/2006, 05:13 PM
[NOLA troll] But THE LEASE runs through 2012 [/NOLA troll]

BigRedJed
7/24/2006, 05:21 PM
There was some discussion about this team or that team moving to OKC on the heels of the Hornets initial success here, but I think it was mostly posturing. Teams that wanted better local support used OKC as a threat to their own communities.

I think the worst thing that could happen to OKC's sports future right now would be to get an NHL franchise. The NBA is more of a marquee endeavor, and it's now a lock for OKC. One of the reasons it works so well here is because there's not a huge competition for the sports entertainment and sponsorship dollar. That changes if the NHL arrives.

And believe me, I was a huge proponent of getting an NHL team here, when it looked like that was our best shot at a major league franchise.

BigRedJed
7/24/2006, 05:31 PM
George Shinn signed the lease, not the NBA. If he goes bankrupt, it won't matter. By the way, the city of New Orleans and the State of Louisiana have both violated terms of that lease, and some good lawyering could also make an argument that the "act of God" last year fundamentally changed the NOLA market in such a way that it would create an unfair burden to require play there. It wouldn't be out of the question to have the lease voided.

Even if a lease buyout is necessary, the number that has been thrown around most often is $10 million. When the Sonics just sold for $350 million, and reportedly turned down $425 million, and when the alternatives are to lose millions per year in a horrible market or make millions per year in a thriving market, $10 million is a laughably small amount. The whole discussion of the NOLA lease has been a smokescreen from the start. It's inconsequential.

KC//CRIMSON
7/27/2006, 12:54 PM
Ouch.



www.sportsline.com/columns/story/9573738

Oklahoma City Sonics? Hornets? Not gonna happen

NBA groupie Oklahoma City will get its heart broken by the SuperSonics and Hornets, and the only people who don't know it are those who live in Oklahoma City.

At the moment Oklahoma City looks good for an NBA franchise by 2008, whether it's the Hornets, who adopted OKC as a second home after Hurricane Katrina leveled New Orleans, or the Sonics, who were purchased last week by an OKC group.

Well, looks deceive. So do professional franchises and owners and leagues, all of whom use one city against another. In this scenario OKC is the city that's going to get used. With history for bifocals, you can see Oklahoma City's depressing destiny from a long way off. The innocent folks of OKC? They can't see anything. They're too close to the situation, too involved, blinded by lust.

Charlotte knows that lust. So do Tampa Bay and Washington, D.C.

Oklahoma City boosters will tell you they're different than jilted cities of the past. That they're close, so close, to getting an NBA team. The Hornets look good, considering New Orleans didn't support the team before the hurricane and can't support it now, and considering OKC fans bought more than 10,000 season tickets when the Hornets hastily moved there this past season. The Sonics look even better, considering their new ownership is led by an OKC businessman, Clay Bennett, who has been trying for years to bring home a major sports franchise.

One way or another, the NBA is coming to Oklahoma City. That's what OKC boosters believe. Last week Oklahoman columnist Berry Tramel wrote, "OKC suddenly has two quarterhorses in the derby, and its permanent NBA chances never have been better. Hornets or Sonics, one or the other, almost surely will be Ford Center tenants beyond next season."

Given what you know about the situation in New Orleans and the ownership in Seattle, that sounds reasonable. Almost surely the NBA is coming to Oklahoma City.

Then again ... when it comes to a city's pursuit of a sports franchise, "almost surely" will almost always get your heart broken.

Look at Tampa Bay. Yes, Tampa Bay got its Major League Baseball team, but don't forget the torture it endured before winning the expansion Devil Rays.

When Tampa Bay investors agreed to buy the Minnesota Twins in 1984, commissioner Bowie Kuhn nixed the deal. In 1985, Tampa Bay investors agreed to buy the Oakland A's for $37 million; Oakland backed out of the deal. In 1987, Tampa Bay went after the Twins again, agreeing to buy the team for $65 million. That deal crumbled during further negotiations. In 1988, the Chicago White Sox came so close to moving to Tampa Bay that team employees were polled to see who would move South with the team. Although 60 percent said they'd move, the White Sox stayed put.

There's more.

Along the way, St. Petersburg built a $130 million stadium to turn its annual MLB flirtation into marriage, with 22,000 season tickets spoken for. In 1991, baseball rewarded Tampa Bay diligence by giving an expansion franchise to ... Miami. In 1992, St. Pete tried to buy the Seattle Mariners, but the Marlins helped throttle that by citing their need for in-state exclusivity. Later in 1992, San Francisco owner Bob Lurie agreed to sell the Giants to a Tampa Bay group, but NL owners veoted the deal.

This could be you, Oklahoma City.

You also could be Washington, D.C., which lost its MLB franchise in 1971 and spent 34 years trying to get one back. In 1973, a D.C. group agreed to buy the San Diego Padres, even choosing Frank Robinson (strange but true) as the team's next manager, but had to give the franchise back after failing to close the deal in three weeks. In 1976, baseball expanded not to the nation's capital, but to Toronto and Seattle. In 1991, with Washington, D.C., again on the list, baseball grew to Miami and Denver.

In February 1995, Major League Baseball described Washington, D.C., as "a very viable candidate for expansion." Two weeks later MLB awarded teams to Tampa Bay and Phoenix. Later that year, a Washington, D.C., group agreed to buy the Houston Astros for roughly $150 million, only to have commissioner Bud Selig squash the deal.

If you're NBA groupie Oklahoma City, you're comforted that Tampa did finally get its expansion team, and Washington, D.C., did finally get the Expos. But compare those cities to OKC. No comparison, know what I mean? The sunny Tampa Bay market beats the crap out of dusty OKC. Washington, D.C., is one of the leading cities in the world, while Oklahoma City is one of the leading cities in Oklahoma.

So what'll get between NBA groupie Oklahoma City and its NBA team? No clue, but it'll be something. The Hornets and Sonics have several years left on current leases, which give their cities time on arena and infrastructure issues. The NBA could decide not to let either franchise leave its internationally known city for OKC, which would be the smallest, least diverse market in the league. Boll weevils could destroy downtown OKC.

This is not a painless process. Charlotte knows. Charlotte has been linked to almost every small-market franchise in baseball, with Minnesota Gov. Arne Carlson once glumly predicting the Twins would become the Charlotte Twins. Didn't happen. Charlotte got so abused by baseball that earlier this year, when the Marlins announced plans to explore other cities and mentioned Charlotte, Charlotte basically said not to bother.

Charlotte has read this book, many times, and knows how the story ends. Could someone please send the book to Oklahoma City? Oklahoma City only knows what NBA owners are telling it.

Which means Oklahoma City doesn't know anything.

Partial Qualifier
7/27/2006, 01:22 PM
Wow, I can definitely see the parallells between those two MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL markets and OKC's situation :confused:
that guy's a buffoon for acting like he's got a pulse on the situation

JohnnyMack
7/27/2006, 01:40 PM
I don't think Stern lets the Sonics out of Seattle. Just can't see it happening. All emotion aside, it's in the NBA's best interest to have a franchise in Seattle moreso than OKC.

GrapevineSooner
7/27/2006, 03:03 PM
I don't think Stern lets the Sonics out of Seattle. Just can't see it happening. All emotion aside, it's in the NBA's best interest to have a franchise in Seattle moreso than OKC.

True.

Of course it was in the NFL's best interests to have an expansion team in Los Angeles for the 2002 season.

When the city couldn't get it's sh*t together, the NFL basically had no choice but to award a franchise to Bob McNair.

I could easily see the same situation occurring in Seattle where the NBA does everything it can to ensure a team stays there, but gets left no choice because the city and it's owners can't agree on financing for a new arena.

And it is silly to compare OKC to the situation Tampa Bay and Charlotte faced with landing Major League Baseball franchises. The NBA is the only game in town in Sacramento, Salt Lake City, San Antonio, Portland, and Memphis.

Off the top of my head, I can't think of a single baseball market where the MLB is the only game in town.

BigRedJed
8/1/2006, 02:15 PM
Ouch.



www.sportsline.com/columns/story/9573738 (http://www.sportsline.com/columns/story/9573738)

Oklahoma City Sonics? Hornets? Not gonna happen

NBA groupie Oklahoma City will get its heart broken by the SuperSonics and Hornets, and the only people who don't know it are those who live in Oklahoma City... ...blah, blah...
Actually, there are some valid points. Very few people in OKC, or even the sports world know the real story. As I've stated, everyone just accepts the Sonics are the team that will be here. Even the people in Seattle currently accept that. I would say it is very, very possible (maybe even likely) that will NOT happen.

One of the things he also has right is that OKC will not have a franchise in '07 - '08. I've already said that. Of course, for different reasons. The thing that sets my scenarios apart from those of people he calls "OKC boosters" is that I recognize that. There is no possiblity whatsoever at this point that we will have a team that season.

The place where he really fails in his analysis is to compare MLB and the NBA. The examples he uses are all baseball-related. He talks about Charlotte, but fails to consider the way that city was quickly rewarded by the NBA with the Bobcats expansion franchise when they allowed George Shinn to skip town unfettered at the leagues (grudging) request. Also, one of the reasons Charlotte doesn't want an MLB team is that it would be too much competition for the existing franchises.

Baseball thrives in huge markets, and so does hoop, but basketball also thrives in smaller markets with no other major league sports competition. It's why the NBA works so well here, and why OKC would be wise to turn down the NHL or anyone else who comes around sniffing in the first decade or so where OKC has a permanent NBA franchise.

David Stern is NOT Bowie Kuhn or Bud Selig. He is controlling this process very closely, and is not a puppet of the owners. He loves the OKC market, wants the NBA to be here, and perhaps more importantly loves Clay Bennett and the owner group that will own here when it happens.

Stern put the deal together in Seattle specifically so that one of the scenarios I detail in this thread will occur. Take it to the bank. You can also take it to the bank that at some point in the next year (and possibly next couple of years) it will almost certainly look like we are always going to be on the outside looking in, shut out of the NBA. When it looks like that, dig up this thread and be ready for me to say "I told you so." And then take solace in the fact that a permanent franchise is right around the corner.

KC//CRIMSON
8/1/2006, 02:48 PM
Actually, there are some valid points. Very few people in OKC, or even the sports world know the real story. As I've stated, everyone just accepts the Sonics are the team that will be here. Even the people in Seattle currently accept that. I would say it is very, very possible (maybe even likely) that will NOT happen.

One of the things he also has right is that OKC will not have a franchise in '07 - '08. I've already said that. Of course, for different reasons. The thing that sets my scenarios apart from those of people he calls "OKC boosters" is that I recognize that. There is no possiblity whatsoever at this point that we will have a team that season.

The place where he really fails in his analysis is to compare MLB and the NBA. The examples he uses are all baseball-related. He talks about Charlotte, but fails to consider the way that city was quickly rewarded by the NBA with the Bobcats expansion franchise when they allowed George Shinn to skip town unfettered at the leagues (grudging) request. Also, one of the reasons Charlotte doesn't want an MLB team is that it would be too much competition for the existing franchises.

Baseball thrives in huge markets, and so does hoop, but basketball also thrives in smaller markets with no other major league sports competition. It's why the NBA works so well here, and why OKC would be wise to turn down the NHL or anyone else who comes around sniffing in the first decade or so where OKC has a permanent NBA franchise.

David Stern is NOT Bowie Kuhn or Bud Selig. He is controlling this process very closely, and is not a puppet of the owners. He loves the OKC market, wants the NBA to be here, and perhaps more importantly loves Clay Bennett and the owner group that will own here when it happens.

Stern put the deal together in Seattle specifically so that one of the scenarios I detail in this thread will occur. Take it to the bank. You can also take it to the bank that at some point in the next year (and possibly next couple of years) it will almost certainly look like we are always going to be on the outside looking in, shut out of the NBA. When it looks like that, dig up this thread and be ready for me to say "I told you so." And then take solace in the fact that a permanent franchise is right around the corner.


I was starting to wonder if you were just gonna stand there and bleed.:D

I hope OKC gets a team. But like everyone else, I'll believe it when I see it.:cool:

BigRedJed
3/8/2008, 01:50 AM
Maybe someday.