Sonics Rising: All Posts by Sonics GuyThe sane voice of the Sonics' return to Seattlehttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/51481/sonicsrising-fav.png2014-05-01T13:43:33-07:00https://www.sonicsrising.com/authors/sonics-guy/rss2014-05-01T13:43:33-07:002014-05-01T13:43:33-07:00The state of women's football
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/pZuiiiRl8UuN4LYmIck1DFGscyw=/2226x1551:3899x2666/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/32418761/181712265.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Justin Edmonds</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>We have two different leagues, both playing to win.
</p>
<p>Edited by Tiffany Villigan</p> <p>"Innovative Sports" will be a new series that I'll write from time to time featuring sports that are new or that you may not know about. Today's featured sport is women's football. Most people, when they think of women playing football, harken back to the select few kickers who played in Division I, but we actually have teams that play locally in two expanding leagues.</p>
<p>The first team up is the Seattle Mist of the Legends Football League (formerly called the Lingerie Football League). I caught up with them at a tryout at the Tacoma Soccer Center. The first person I talked to was manager Mike McGhee, a very welcoming individual who was drawn to be a part of the team because of the level of commitment of play and the love of football. Not to be outdone, another cheerful person I met was Shanin Davis, one of the assistants. She mentioned how she once played an exhibition football game in high school and was drawn to it. Unfortunately for her, at the time there wasn't a league like this. So she now helps out on letting others succeed.</p>
<p>David Price, the assistant coach and coach of the defense, is in his third year with the team. He has a background ranging from playing football in high school to playing with the semi-pro Pierce County Bengals. You can tell he's a competitor: while most LFL teams have a playbook with 10-15 plays, the Mist have 60. He likes to quote Shawn Kemp in saying "People judge us by the uniform and not the quality of play. Give us a chance and watch the game."</p>
<p>Jessica Hopkins, in her fifth year with the Mist, is the heart of the team. She plays WR/FS/RB, and has a background in volleyball, track, and basketball. A co-worker invited her to a tryout and she's been hooked ever since. She is basically the go-to player on the team: if a newer player has a question, Jessica will have an answer for them, along with support. She says she loves the fierceness of the game: "This isn't powder puff. Watch one hit and you'll know the difference." That's true. In the games I watched, they meant serious business.</p>
<p>I also talked to LaShaunda Fowler, who plays WR/TE/DE/C. She mentioned that a player has to be disciplined because they play on both sides of the ball and there are only seven to a side, with everyone eligible.</p>
<p>The next team I visited was the Tacoma Trauma of the Women's Football Alliance. The WFA is different from the LFL as the WFA plays 11 women on a side as opposed to seven in the LFL, and the WFA players wear full pads, as opposed to the outfits of the LFL.</p>
<p>The first person I talked to at the Trauma was Jennifer Hogate, a former player and now one of the owners. She used to play for the Seattle Majestics but hated the commute to Kent for practice so she, along with her partner and player Brandi Ockenfels, created the Tacoma Trauma. Jennifer stresses that it's a family fun environment and that they work together.</p>
<p>The veteran of the Trauma would have to be Michel Volk, who played with the Seattle Majestics for eight years before an injury sidelined her. She was out for two and a half years before meeting up with the Trauma. She says, "It's addictive to square up to someone man-on-man." She's missed holidays, family gatherings, and birthdays to get her football fix. Patricia O'Connell, S/RB, who is currently serving in the military and used to play for the Clarksville Fox, says, "I was addicted from the first hit! We hit as hard, play as hard, just with less experience."</p>
<p>The coach, Dennis Lee Stone, has a background that includes playing high school football, semi-pro with the Nebraska Panthers, and being a player/coach with the Pierce County Bengals. He admires the women, saying they have more focus and discipline than the men he's coached.</p>
<p>I've seen both of these teams play their hearts out and the level of support in this close-knit community is so strong that the Seattle Mist has attended a Tacoma Trauma game.</p>
<p>The Seattle Mist play this Friday, May 2, at the Showare Center in Kent and can be reached at <a href="http://lflus.com/SeattleMist">lflus.com/SeattleMist</a> or their <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SeattleMist">Seattle Mist Facebook page</a>. The Tacoma Trauma's next game is May 17th at Curtis High School in Tacoma. They can be reached at <a href="http://tacomawomensfootball.com/">TacomaWomensFootball.com</a> or their <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TacomaTrauma">Tacoma Trauma Facebook page</a>. Check them out and come on out to one of their games!</p>
https://www.sonicsrising.com/2014/5/1/5667062/the-state-of-womens-footballSonics Guy2014-04-22T15:00:02-07:002014-04-22T15:00:02-07:00An Open Letter to the Seattle Mariners
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<img alt="Opening Day at Safeco Field, April 8, 2014" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/hRx7sA1vNxsaxQK6MPHziWXB3Fc=/0x0:3990x2660/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/31836973/483455295.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Opening Day at Safeco Field, April 8, 2014 | Otto Greule Jr</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>To whom it may concern --
</p>
<p>Edited by Tiffany Villigan</p> <p>Dear Mariners,</p>
<p>Well, it's been about 2 weeks since your home opener. I just wanted to wish you the best of luck this season. With the success of the Seahawks we easily can see how this region will rally around a winner.</p>
<p>That being said, I wish you luck with a slight twinge of guilt as your front office seems bent on doing anything it can to make sure Seattle doesn't get a new basketball (or hockey) arena. I've seen that your official policy is to actively oppose Sonics Arena. I've seen the ads in the Seattle Times where you've teamed up with the port against the potential arena. I've heard your representatives at the Arena meetings ask questions aimed at putting a stop to the project. That's why any activities to support your team this year on my end are muted. I support ALL Seattle teams, regardless of their front office politics. So on your opening day, when you were in Anaheim, I had a one-man rally for the Mariners. I took my two Mariners flags and headed to my favorite overpass to deliver the Mariners' message. But that's it. Whereas I was at every pre- and regular season Seahawks home game, the Opening Day rally was all you'll get from me.</p>
<p>I went to Safeco Field for your home Opening Day, asking you to support the Sonics Arena Project. As I was taking pictures and trading stories, everyone I talked to supports your team but they also support the Sonics. So please support them as well. When the Sonics do come back, they won't take away from your business; they'll add to it. Just remember supporting the Sonics is more than just having a beloved former player throw out the first pitch; it's advocating for a bigger and better Stadium district that benefits all of you. Seattle supports winners. Let's support each other and win together.</p>
<p><span> Sportingly Yours,</span></p>
<p>Kris "Sonics Guy" Brannon</p>
<p>Writer.Comedian.Activist</p>
https://www.sonicsrising.com/2014/4/22/5629084/sonics-guy-opening-day-letter-seattle-mariners-mlbSonics Guy2014-03-21T09:25:40-07:002014-03-21T09:25:40-07:001 in 9,200,000,000,000,000,000
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<p>I figured out what the Madness is: filling out an NCAA bracket.
</p>
<p>Edited by Tiffany Villigan</p> <p>Well, it's that time of year again. The time for anger, frustration and despair of filling out an NCAA bracket. The past few years I've said I wouldn't fill one out, but then every Thursday morning before the tournament starts, I fold and quickly fill one out. At least this is better than my old method, which was to study for hours, keeping track of trends, filling out about 9-10 brackets, indexed for different probabilities, and inevitably most of them would collapse and I'd be lucky if I got 2 of the 4 Final Four picks.</p>
<p>So I thought by hurriedly filling out only one bracket I'd at least limit wasting my time. Now the pressure is really on with Warren Buffett's Billion Dollar Challenge. The pressure and the tons of texts I'll probably end up getting from Quicken Loans illustrates the Madness part of March Madness. The only thing that makes me feel somewhat better is that the odds on filling out a perfect bracket is 9.2 quintillion to 1. A quintillion is 1 followed by 18 zeros. For that large a number, mathematically it would be easier to win the Powerball and Mega Millions back-to-back while getting struck by lightning on your way to redeem the tickets. According to ESPN.com, in the 7 years they've had their Bracket Challenge, only 1 person out of the millions of brackets submitted got the opening round of games correct, and that still only gets you halfway there.</p>
<p>Hearing all of these numbers makes me feel a lot better about my recent choices. Last year I picked down to the Sweet 16, and then let a coin flip do the rest of the games. I mean, how else do you have Montana in your Final Four? So here's a little help on filling out your bracket (keyword is little).</p>
<p>Sonics Guy's Top 3 Rules for Bracket Success:</p>
<p>1) No #16 seed has defeated a #1 seed. Have all the #1s win the first game (already 6% to a perfect bracket).</p>
<p>2) Upset Alert! #5 seeds defeat #12 seeds only 65% of the time. It's a good idea to have at least one #12 seed make the round of 32.</p>
<p>3) You're NOT going to fill out a perfect bracket anyway, so just have fun with it. But if you do win the billion dollars, be sure to help Chris buy a team.</p>
https://www.sonicsrising.com/2014/3/21/5527452/1-in-9200000000000000000-winning-your-ncaa-tournament-bracket-oddsSonics Guy2014-03-15T10:34:05-07:002014-03-15T10:34:05-07:00Our Next Champion: Mariners or Sonics?
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<img alt="Thom Ross' "The Defining Moment," commemorating "The Double"" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/6u6tRVSflPulAEI-lcmVEfuygvo=/0x157:1128x909/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/30012719/the_defining_moment_-_safeco_field__3_.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Thom Ross' "The Defining Moment," commemorating "The Double" | Tiffany Villigan</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>A joke question with a serious side.
</p>
<p>Edited by Tiffany Villigan</p> <p><span> Hey, dear readers. Sorry it's been a while since my last "Will Call" column. I guess I was just so excited about the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/">Seahawks</a>' crushing dismantling of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.milehighreport.com/">Denver Broncos</a>. The parade </span>I attended with over 500,000 of my closest friends, I'll never forget. It was so crowded that the only movement I had for 3 hours was moving my sign from one hand to the other. The Seahawks helped bring this community together. We need more of this. We need another celebration. So this brings me to my latest question. Which team will win a championship first: <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.lookoutlanding.com/">Mariners</a> or Sonics?</p>
<p>When I posted this question on Facebook (originally asked as "Which team will win the next championship"), most people correctly viewed it as a joke. They gave joke responses or didn't think to adhere to the question, giving me a lot of answers of Storm, Sounders and, most obvious, Seahawks. Even though I suggested the question in jest, it should be, in a way, very serious.</p>
<p>There's a reason why I chose the Mariners in the question, as opposed to any other local team. The Sounders seem on their way with Dempsey; the Storm have won recent championships; and the Seahawks, well, come on! The reason I selected the Mariners against a team that's at least a couple of years away from being here is that, unfortunately, when I think mediocrity or futility in Northwest sports, I think of the Mariners.</p>
<p>One thing that I think supports this is arguably the greatest play in Mariners history: "The Double," where Ken Griffey Jr. slid into home plate, beating the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.pinstripealley.com/">Yankees</a> in the ALDS. It was an incredible play and I remember being at my friend's house watching it. But true to form they lost in the ALCS. The Mariners are 1 of only 2 teams to never play in <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/world-series">the World Series</a>, the other being the newly relocated <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.federalbaseball.com/">Nationals</a>. Here is a stat that will blow your mind: more days have passed between today and "The Double" than passed between "The Double" and the first game the Mariners played. Luckily I can't say the team isn't willing to spend money on players anymore, with almost half a billion dollars being spent on Hernandez's and Cano's recent contracts. Still, it seems to me they'll fall a few games short.</p>
<p>So what's your opinion? Between the two teams, one of which doesn't even exist yet, who will win a championship first: The Mariners or Sonics? Leave a comment and answer the poll question.</p>
https://www.sonicsrising.com/2014/3/15/5501704/our-next-champion-mariners-or-sonicsSonics Guy2014-03-11T18:00:01-07:002014-03-11T18:00:01-07:00A Look at the 1991-92 Seattle Supersonics
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<figcaption>SeattlePI.com</figcaption>
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<p>We continue to look at the 22 Seattle Supersonics teams that made the playoffs. Today, the 1991-1992 team.
</p>
<p>Edited by Tiffany Villigan</p> <p>The 1991-92 Sonics season, the Silver season, the 25th Anniversary of our beloved team, started off the same as the previous season: with the <a href="https://www.celticsblog.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Celtics</a>' championship coach K.C. Jones at the helm. While he was able to work his magic in the Boston Garden, alternating between being the Eastern Conference Champions and the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba-finals" class="sbn-auto-link">NBA Finals</a> Champions in pitched battles with the LA <a href="https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Lakers</a> in the mid-'80s, K.C. was unable to get us over .500 in the '90-'91 season. The Sonics had a 41-41 record and a quick first-round playoffs exit that year. Expectations were higher at the beginning of the '91-'92 season as our core nucleus of young stars was steadily improving. Nevertheless, K.C. was let go only 36 games into the season with another lackluster record of 18-18. After interim coach Bob Kloppenburg gave us another .500 record of 2-2, we finally got the coach whose name would be mentioned alongside Wilkens as greatest Sonics coaches: <span>George Karl</span>, the hard-nosed, hard-edged, hard-working coach whose most recent stints were in the CBA and Europe.</p>
<p>The Sonics that season were led in scoring by Ricky Pierce (21.7 ppg) and Eddie Johnson (17.1 ppg). The young stars Shawn Kemp--15.5 ppg in his third year--and Gary Payton--6.2 assists and 1.8 steals per game in his sophomore season--started to become major contributors to this team and would try to lay claim to the '90s like the Lakers did to the '80s.</p>
<p>With Karl's style and a team that was starting to believe in itself, the Sonics finished the season 27-15. Instead of a one-and-done in the playoffs like the season before, they bested the Don Nelson-coached <a href="https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Warriors</a> that featured Chris Mullin and Tim Hardaway 3 games to 1 before falling to the team that would become a familiar rival, the <a href="https://www.slcdunk.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Utah Jazz</a>, led by Malone and Stockton, 4 games to 1. The Silver Anniversary Season was nice, but ultimately the Sonics cared about the golden Larry O' Brien Championship Trophy, which they were unable to win.</p>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" border="1"><tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="32">
<p align="center"><b>No.</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="90">
<p align="center"><b>Player</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="32">
<p align="center"><b>Pos</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="36">
<p align="center"><b>Ht</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="33">
<p align="center"><b>Wt</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="32">
<p align="center"><b>Exp</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="205">
<p align="center"><b>College</b></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="32">
<p align="center">11</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="90">
<p align="center">Dana Barros</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="32">
<p align="center">PG</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="36">
<p align="center">5-11</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="33">
<p align="center">163</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="32">
<p align="center">2</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="205">
<p align="center">Boston College</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="32">
<p align="center">00</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="90">
<p align="center">Benoit Benjamin</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="32">
<p align="center">C</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="36">
<p align="center">7-0</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="33">
<p align="center">250</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="32">
<p align="center">6</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="205">
<p align="center">Creighton University</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="32">
<p align="center">21</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="90">
<p align="center"><span>Tony Brown</span></p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="32">
<p align="center">SF</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="36">
<p align="center">6-6</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="33">
<p align="center">185</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="32">
<p align="center">6</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="205">
<p align="center">University of Arkansas</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="32">
<p align="center">44</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="90">
<p align="center">Michael Cage</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="32">
<p align="center">PF</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="36">
<p align="center">6-9</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="33">
<p align="center">224</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="32">
<p align="center">7</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="205">
<p align="center">San Diego State University</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="32">
<p align="center">24</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="90">
<p align="center">Marty Conlon</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="32">
<p align="center">C</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="36">
<p align="center">6-10</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="33">
<p align="center">224</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="32">
<p align="center">R</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="205">
<p align="center">Providence College</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="32">
<p align="center">20</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="90">
<p align="center">Quintin Dailey</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="32">
<p align="center">SG</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="36">
<p align="center">6-3</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="33">
<p align="center">180</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="32">
<p align="center">9</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="205">
<p align="center">University of San Francisco</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="32">
<p align="center">8</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="90">
<p align="center">Eddie Johnson</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="32">
<p align="center">SF</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="36">
<p align="center">6-7</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="33">
<p align="center">215</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="32">
<p align="center">10</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="205">
<p align="center">University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="32">
<p align="center">40</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="90">
<p align="center">Shawn Kemp</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="32">
<p align="center">PF</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="36">
<p align="center">6-10</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="33">
<p align="center">230</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="32">
<p align="center">2</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="205">
<p align="center">Trinity Valley Community College</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="32">
<p align="center">25</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="90">
<p align="center">Rich King</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="32">
<p align="center">C</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="36">
<p align="center">7-2</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="33">
<p align="center">260</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="32">
<p align="center">R</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="205">
<p align="center">University of Nebraska</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="32">
<p align="center">23</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="90">
<p align="center">Bart Kofoed</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="32">
<p align="center">SG</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="36">
<p align="center">6-4</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="33">
<p align="center">210</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="32">
<p align="center">3</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="205">
<p align="center">University of Nebraska at Kearney</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="32">
<p align="center">31</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="90">
<p align="center">Derrick McKey</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="32">
<p align="center">SF</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="36">
<p align="center">6-9</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="33">
<p align="center">205</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="32">
<p align="center">4</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="205">
<p align="center">University of Alabama</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="32">
<p align="center">10</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="90">
<p align="center"><span>Nate McMillan</span></p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="32">
<p align="center">PG</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="36">
<p align="center">6-5</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="33">
<p align="center">195</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="32">
<p align="center">5</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="205">
<p align="center">North Carolina State University</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="32">
<p align="center">2</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="90">
<p align="center">Gary Payton</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="32">
<p align="center">PG</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="36">
<p align="center">6-4</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="33">
<p align="center">180</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="32">
<p align="center">1</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="205">
<p align="center">Oregon State University</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="32">
<p align="center">22</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="90">
<p align="center">Ricky Pierce</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="32">
<p align="center">SG</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="36">
<p align="center">6-4</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="33">
<p align="center">205</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="32">
<p align="center">9</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="205">
<p align="center">Rice University</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<p> </p>
<table width="477" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" border="1"><tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="90">
<p align="center"><b>Player</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="27">
<p align="center"><b>G</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="28">
<p align="center"><b>GS</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="39">
<p align="center"><b>MP</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="36">
<p align="center"><b>FG%</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="36">
<p align="center"><b>3P%</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="36">
<p align="center"><b>FT%</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="34">
<p align="center"><b>TRB</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="33">
<p align="center"><b>AST</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="33">
<p align="center"><b>STL</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="43">
<p align="center"><b>BLK</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="43">
<p align="center"><b>PPG</b></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="90">
<p align="center">Ricky Pierce</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="27">
<p align="center">78</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="28">
<p align="center">78</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="39">
<p align="center">2658</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="36">
<p align="center">.475</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="36">
<p align="center">.268</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="36">
<p align="center">.916</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="34">
<p align="center">233</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="33">
<p align="center">241</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="33">
<p align="center">86</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="43">
<p align="center">20</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="43">
<p align="center">21.7</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="90">
<p align="center">Eddie Johnson</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="27">
<p align="center">81</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="28">
<p align="center">19</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="39">
<p align="center">2366</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="36">
<p align="center">.459</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="36">
<p align="center">.252</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="36">
<p align="center">.861</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="34">
<p align="center">292</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="33">
<p align="center">161</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="33">
<p align="center">55</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="43">
<p align="center">11</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="43">
<p align="center">17.1</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="90">
<p align="center">Shawn Kemp</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="27">
<p align="center">64</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="28">
<p align="center">23</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="39">
<p align="center">1808</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="36">
<p align="center">.504</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="36">
<p align="center">.000</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="36">
<p align="center">.748</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="34">
<p align="center">665</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="33">
<p align="center">86</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="33">
<p align="center">70</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="43">
<p align="center">124</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="43">
<p align="center">15.5</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="90">
<p align="center">Benoit Benjamin</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="27">
<p align="center">63</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="28">
<p align="center">61</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="39">
<p align="center">1941</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="36">
<p align="center">.478</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="36">
<p align="center">.000</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="36">
<p align="center">.687</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="34">
<p align="center">513</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="33">
<p align="center">76</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="33">
<p align="center">39</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="43">
<p align="center">118</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="43">
<p align="center">14.0</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="90">
<p align="center">Derrick McKey</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="27">
<p align="center">52</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="28">
<p align="center">44</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="39">
<p align="center">1757</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="36">
<p align="center">.472</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="36">
<p align="center">.380</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="36">
<p align="center">.847</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="34">
<p align="center">268</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="33">
<p align="center">120</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="33">
<p align="center">61</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="43">
<p align="center">47</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="43">
<p align="center">14.9</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="90">
<p align="center">Gary Payton</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="27">
<p align="center">81</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="28">
<p align="center">79</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="39">
<p align="center">2549</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="36">
<p align="center">.451</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="36">
<p align="center">.130</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="36">
<p align="center">.669</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="34">
<p align="center">295</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="33">
<p align="center">506</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="33">
<p align="center">147</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="43">
<p align="center">21</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="43">
<p align="center">9.4</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="90">
<p align="center">Michael Cage</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="27">
<p align="center">82</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="28">
<p align="center">69</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="39">
<p align="center">2461</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="36">
<p align="center">.566</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="36">
<p align="center">.000</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="36">
<p align="center">.620</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="34">
<p align="center">728</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="33">
<p align="center">92</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="33">
<p align="center">99</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="43">
<p align="center">55</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="43">
<p align="center">8.8</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="90">
<p align="center">Dana Barros</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="27">
<p align="center">75</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="28">
<p align="center">1</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="39">
<p align="center">1331</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="36">
<p align="center">.483</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="36">
<p align="center">.446</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="36">
<p align="center">.759</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="34">
<p align="center">81</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="33">
<p align="center">125</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="33">
<p align="center">51</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="43">
<p align="center">4</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="43">
<p align="center">8.3</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="90">
<p align="center">Nate McMillan</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="27">
<p align="center">72</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="28">
<p align="center">30</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="39">
<p align="center">1652</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="36">
<p align="center">.437</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="36">
<p align="center">.276</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="36">
<p align="center">.643</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="34">
<p align="center">252</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="33">
<p align="center">359</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="33">
<p align="center">129</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="43">
<p align="center">29</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="43">
<p align="center">6.0</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="90">
<p align="center">Tony Brown</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="27">
<p align="center">35</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="28">
<p align="center">2</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="39">
<p align="center">401</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="36">
<p align="center">.394</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="36">
<p align="center">.293</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="36">
<p align="center">.811</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="34">
<p align="center">56</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="33">
<p align="center">32</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="33">
<p align="center">18</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="43">
<p align="center">4</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="43">
<p align="center">4.8</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="90">
<p align="center">Marty Conlon</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="27">
<p align="center">45</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="28">
<p align="center">1</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="39">
<p align="center">381</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="36">
<p align="center">.475</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="36">
<p align="center"> </p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="36">
<p align="center">.750</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="34">
<p align="center">69</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="33">
<p align="center">12</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="33">
<p align="center">9</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="43">
<p align="center">7</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="43">
<p align="center">2.7</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="90">
<p align="center">Rich King</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="27">
<p align="center">40</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="28">
<p align="center">2</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="39">
<p align="center">213</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="36">
<p align="center">.380</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="36">
<p align="center">.000</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="36">
<p align="center">.756</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="34">
<p align="center">49</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="33">
<p align="center">12</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="33">
<p align="center">4</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="43">
<p align="center">5</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="43">
<p align="center">2.2</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="90">
<p align="center">Bart Kofoed</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="27">
<p align="center">44</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="28">
<p align="center">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="39">
<p align="center">239</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="36">
<p align="center">.472</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="36">
<p align="center">.143</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="36">
<p align="center">.577</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="34">
<p align="center">26</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="33">
<p align="center">51</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="33">
<p align="center">2</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="43">
<p align="center">2</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="43">
<p align="center">1.5</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="90">
<p align="center">Quintin Dailey</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="27">
<p align="center">11</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="28">
<p align="center">1</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="39">
<p align="center">98</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="36">
<p align="center">.243</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="36">
<p align="center">.000</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="36">
<p align="center">.813</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="34">
<p align="center">12</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="33">
<p align="center">4</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="33">
<p align="center">5</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="43">
<p align="center">1</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="43">
<p align="center">2.8</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<p> </p>
<p>What do you think? Vote in our poll below and let us know where you think the 1992 team ranks in the top 22 Sonics teams of all time.</p>
https://www.sonicsrising.com/2014/3/11/5410622/greatest-of-all-time-a-look-at-the-1991-92-seattle-supersonicsSonics Guy2014-02-02T14:30:00-08:002014-02-02T14:30:00-08:00Sonics Guy reflects on being a Seattle Sports fan.
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/B0qB2ycC7b_NYvg1rAgvrWrmC_8=/0x0:3999x2666/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/27922593/20140126_sal_aa9_043.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Sonics Guy reflects on being a Seattle Sports fan.</p> <p>As any true Seattle sports fan knows, being a true fan can be hard. We've had so many teams that never were, fell short, or worse yet, straight up choked. It pains me to even write these words, but unfortunately it's true. We've had many great teams that came to championships - '83 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/">Seahawks</a>, '95 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.lookoutlanding.com/">Mariners</a>, and the '06 Seahawks. Then there are those that should have won it all - '94 Sonics,'01 Mariners. And the final category that faced arguably the best team in the history of team sports, and still took them to 6 games - '96 Sonics.</p>
<p>I was watching a talk show and the host was talking to a cute little kid, and she said he loved all of Boston's sports teams. He said " Yes win or lose I love them all." Well in the last 7 years Boston has won a championship in all 4 major sports. It's easy to support your teams when they're winning. This same little boy in Seattle could be a middle aged man with teenagers and still not have seen a men's World Championship team. It's been 35 years since our beloved Sonics won it all. When I was the age of the kid being interviewed I was making a collage for <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/super-bowl">the Super Bowl</a>. I had already used crayon to color in the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/washington-redskins">Redskins</a> helmet. Now I had a piece of silver construction paper, ready to put a Seahawks or <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/oakland-raiders">Raiders</a> logo on it. I waited until the game was over holding out hope, but after the game I sadly painted the helmet Raiders colors. It was simply heartbreaking.</p>
<p>Another tough memory for any true Seattle fan is Super Bowl XL. I know, I know, too soon, but I'll just tell you a quick story about my experience. I went to a Super Bowl party with my girlfriend at the time, who was bringing a book to read. I was floored, "Who brings a book to a Super Bowl Party!" I thought. This house party was filled with your typical Seattle non-sports fans. Before the game started most people were worried about the food and catching the commercials more than the actual game, but after the bogus push off, "phantom" <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/">Steelers</a> touchdown, and when Matt Hasselback got called for an offensive penalty when he was on defense. All of these docile sports fans wanted blood and my girlfriend simply started reading her book and I started thinking "WOW! You're the smartest person here.</p>
<p>I remember my girlfriend in college was from Colorado which was awkward at first because we had just met after Denver had upset the #1 seed Sonics (another story for another day). The reason I bring this up is because she told me when the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.milehighreport.com/">Broncos</a> were in the Super Bowl in the '80s her mother would make a an orange and blue Super Bowl cake for the party and every time it would just sit there being a sadder and sadder cake as those teams were getting blown out. The one thing I've learned about being a Seattle sports fan is it teaches you to be humble, but today I feel like bragging. If the officials call it even, the Seahawks got this. Here's to another sad Broncos cake just sitting there making everyone sad, GO HAWKS!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>
<link rel="stylesheet" href="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/3604021/nextclicks.css"></p>
https://www.sonicsrising.com/2014/2/2/5371010/im-just-bout-that-action-bossSonics Guy2014-01-30T18:00:02-08:002014-01-30T18:00:02-08:00My NFC Championship Adventure
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/QA4dYdFzG1EeFOnZ4lSoYUg11vs=/3x0:3996x2662/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/27703369/20140124_kkt_ab9_565.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Sonics Guy recounts his NFC Championship day and celebrates being a sports fan.
</p>
<p>Edited by Joanna Nesgoda</p> <p>Like any big day, it starts with preparation the night before. I knew I had to be down at Hawk Alley for a TV interview at 7:30 a.m. That means I had to catch the bus by 6:30, which means I had to be up at around 5:30. So sound sleep wasn't really in the cards. With the alarm set I laid my head down for a night of light sleep. After I got in my several hours, I sprang up getting into my outfit for the day: white Sonics warm up pants, my Sonics Guy away <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/">Seahawks</a> jersey, and a beautiful beaded Sonics necklace made and given to me by a great Sonics fan named Traci De Los Santos.</p>
<p>I was parked at the Transit Center and on a bus headed to Seattle by 6:30 a.m. Even though it was pitch black out the bus was busy and buzzing with excitement and anticipation of the game that wouldn't take place for 9 hours. As I got off the bus I headed to Utah Avenue, the first stop on my rounds to deliver the Sonics message to the masses. Tom Brown, who runs the Blue Line Express tailgate, invited me to get interviewed at his tailgate by Channel 5. After that I was able to get interviewed by Channel 13. When the reporter asked what I had learned from being Sonics Guy, I said regardless of someone's politics, religion, income or orientation, sports is a true unifier in bringing us together.</p>
<p>After the Q13 interview, it was only a little after 9 a.m. This brings me to another point of mastering the navigation of the tailgates for 6 hours and it's a one word answer: Moderation! Moderation is the key to surviving, especially with all of the food and other stuff available. Also, thank you to everyone for their generosity throughout the season.</p>
<p>As the game drew near I stood out in front of the Stadium with my over-sized Sonics sign with the FOX network call letters. I could tell a miracle ticket wouldn't come through for me today. I could hear the roar of the crowd as the starting lineups were introduced and then I knew it was time to find a place to watch the game. My original game plan was to hit a bar right next door, like Sluggers, but as kickoff happened the line was still out the door. So I decided to venture a bit further out and ended up at Temple Billiards, an amazing bar off Jackson St. This place is usually a soccer bar where the Sounders Emerald City Supporters hang out, but today it was a Seahawks bar packed full of people who wanted to cheer our boys in blue and green. This place was crowded and everyone was supporting one team.</p>
<p>During the first part of the game you could feel the tension, but no one gave up on our team. In the second half we cheered SEA-HAWKS! so loud I'm sure blocks away <span>Russell Wilson</span> could hear us. During the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.ninersnation.com/">49ers</a> last drive everyone was a bundle of nerves. When Sherman made the tip and Smith got the interception, it was screams, hugs and high fives all around. Few things bring people together like an <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfc-championship-game">NFC Championship game</a> - now let's do it again this Sunday!</p>
<link rel="stylesheet" href="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/3604021/nextclicks.css">
https://www.sonicsrising.com/2014/1/30/5357324/sonics-guy-nfc-championship-adventure-seahawks-nflSonics Guy2014-01-23T17:09:43-08:002014-01-23T17:09:43-08:00How good were the 1982-83 Sonics?
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/YSs0uoD8bSUzsbC7AV_YtYKaQ0Y=/0x302:489x628/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/27316595/sonics_82-83_david_thompson.0.jpg" />
</figure>
<p>The Sonics continued a series of average finishes in the '80s.
</p>
<p>Edited by Joanna Nesgoda</p> <p>The 1983 squad was continuing the slide of the team that won the NBA Championship, in what would eventually devolve into the decade that would become the Lakers/Celtics showcase (even though an Erving led 76ers would win this year).</p>
<p>This squad was led by NBA All-Star starter David Thompson (15.9 ppg)who was a powerful dunker that started in his ABA days who still had his flashes of greatness. Backing him up were some of the core of the Championship team: Jack Sikma (18.2 ppg)NBA All-Star Gus Williams (20 ppg), and NBA All-Star Fred Brown (10.2 ppg). James Donaldson (8.9 ppg) and Lonnie Shelton (12.4 ppg) were key components as well. Danny Vranes continued the maturation of his rookie season by playing in all 82 games averaging almost 7 points a game. There were numerous picks in that year's draft (which at the time went all the way up to 8 rounds), but the only one that saw any on court action was a third round draft choice taken with the 65 pick, John Greig from the University of Oregon. He came to Oregon by way of Wenatchee Valley Community College (shout out to the Nesgodas current home base) and was lightly used, playing in just 9 games and averaging only just over 2 points a game.</p>
<p>Perhaps the most amazing thing about this squad was they started out with a twelve game winning streak and didn't lose until a 20 point drubbing at the hands of the New Jersey Nets on Nov 21st. Their home attendance was 4th out of 23 teams at 539,622, which brings up two thoughts relevant to the current situation: Yes, people will go and attend Sonics games, and Yes, the league can have an odd number of teams. The league had an odd number of teams for twenty years.</p>
<p>Towards the end of the season they went on another tear winning 8 in row, but lost the last three games of the regular season finishing with a record of 48-34, earning them 3rd in the Pacific Division. They then faced off against the Portland Trailblazers who finished 4th in the Pacific Division with a 46-36 record and were led by Jim Paxson, Calvin Natt, and Mychal Thompson. They were unceremoniously beaten in two straight games to end their season in the first round.</p>
<p>Another one of the highlights of the '83 season was Supersonics Executive Zollie Volchok being named NBA Executive of the Year. He used his background in promotion to bring in halftime shows and ideas like Ladies, Kids and Senior nights. Volchok would step down when Schulman would sell the team to Ackerely at the end of the year.</p>
<p>Anything about this team you'd like to add please leave a comment! Also, where do you think this team ranks among the Sonics playoff teams?</p>
<p><span><b>No.,Player,Pos,Ht,Wt,Exp,College</b></span></p>
<p><span>32,Fred Brown,PG,6-3,182,11,University of Iowa</span></p>
<p><span>40,James Donaldson,C,7-2,275,2,Washington State University</span></p>
<p><span>22,John Greig,SF,6-7,215,R,University of Oregon</span></p>
<p><span>10,Steve Hawes,PF,6-9,220,8,University of Washington</span></p>
<p><span>3,Greg Kelser,SF,6-7,190,3,Michigan State University</span></p>
<p><span>30,Mark Radford,SG,6-4,190,1,Oregon State University</span></p>
<p><span>,Lonnie Shelton,PF,6-8,240,6,Oregon State University</span></p>
<p><span>43,Jack Sikma,C,6-11,230,5,Illinois Wesleyan University</span></p>
<p><span>20,Phil Smith,SG,6-4,185,8,University of San Francisco</span></p>
<p><span>44,David Thompson,SG,6-4,195,7,North Carolina State University</span></p>
<p><span>33,Ray Tolbert,PF,6-9,225,1,Indiana University</span></p>
<p><span>23,Danny Vranes,SF,6-7,210,1,University of Utah</span></p>
<p><span>1,Gus Williams,PG,6-2,175,6,University of Southern California</span></p>
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<p><span><b>Player,G,MP,FG%,FT%,TRB,AST,STL,PTS</b></span></p>
<p><span>Gus Williams,80,34.5,.477,.751,2.6,8.0,2.3,20.0</span></p>
<p><span>Jack Sikma,75,34.2,.464,.837,11.4,3.1,1.2,18.2</span></p>
<p><span>David Thompson,75,28.7,.481,.784,3.6,3.0,0.6,15.9</span></p>
<p><span>Lonnie Shelton,82,31.4,.478,.754,6.0,2.9,0.9,12.4</span></p>
<p><span>Fred Brown,80,17.9,.520,.806,1.2,3.0,0.7,10.2</span></p>
<p><span>James Donaldson,82,21.8,.583,.688,6.1,1.2,0.2,8.9</span></p>
<p><span>Greg Kelser,80,18.8,.549,.673,5.0,1.2,0.7,8.3</span></p>
<p><span>Danny Vranes,82,25.0,.527,.550,5.2,1.5,0.6,6.9</span></p>
<p><span>Phil Smith,79,15.7,.438,.759,1.6,2.7,0.6,5.7</span></p>
<p><span>Steve Hawes,31,17.9,.493,.719,4.3,1.2,0.3,5.5</span></p>
<p><span>Ray Tolbert,45,15.8,.526,.545,3.4,0.7,0.4,5.0</span></p>
<p><span>Mark Radford,54,8.1,.488,.411,0.9,1.9,0.6,3.7</span></p>
<p><span>John Greig,9,2.9,.538,.833,0.7,0.0,0.0,2.1</span></p>
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https://www.sonicsrising.com/2014/1/23/5336798/greatest-of-all-time-1983-seattle-supersonicsSonics Guy2014-01-11T10:40:26-08:002014-01-11T10:40:26-08:00Stay Classy, Hawk Fans
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<p>As anyone who knows me knows, I'm a big supporter of the <a href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Seahawks</a>. And when I say big, I mean <i>big</i>. I mean "wake up at around 4 in the morning" big to be at the Clink early for a taping of Q13 This Morning. Thanks to Q13 I was able to get the Sonics/Seahawks message to the Puget Sound populace as it was waking up for their Friday commute.</p>
<p>This season has been truly magical for me as a person who has followed the Seahawks for a long time. I remember the Dave Krieg soap dish passes. I remember when Steve Largent held a bunch of the receiving records. I remember when a meaningless game between two one-win teams late in the season would determine which team would pick first in the draft. The <a href="https://www.patspulpit.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Patriots</a> lost that game, and with the first pick in the draft selected Drew Bledsoe. The Hawks, with the second pick, chose Rick Mirer, and we all know how that worked out.</p>
<p>The one thing that's been amazing about this season is I've seen conditions that, as a Seahawks fan, I thought I'd never see. I've seen where you could hear them chant "SEA-HAWKS!" in an opponent's stadium. I've seen Seahawks fans take over the crowd on the road broadcasts of both Thursday and Monday Night Football. This is the type of heady air I thought was usually reserved for only <a href="https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Cowboys</a> and <a href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Steelers</a> fans.</p>
<p>We are arguably the best team in the league. This has been years in the making, but it seems some of the newer adopters of the 12th Man seem to think we've been this way the whole time. I think this leads to the attitude of a few of us being boorish with our behavior. Look, a good-natured ribbing is warranted and even expected, but we as Seahawks fans should agree to end the explicit behavior.</p>
<p>I've spoken to numerous friends of mine who support other teams such as the <a href="https://www.ninersnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">49ers</a> and <a href="https://www.canalstreetchronicles.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Saints</a>, and they regale me with stories of Facebook threads turning into war zones and jerky actions in the Clink after blowout wins. Stuff like this is beneath the decorum of any Seahawks fan. One of the true signs of a champion is acting like you've been there before.</p>
<p>The vast majority of our fans get it. This is just directed at the few people here and there who don't behave appropriately. Speaking to the majority, if you see Seahawks fans' behavior that is extremely vulgar or offensive, as my grandmother used to say, tell 'em to "Straighten up and fly right!" Horrible behavior from just a few fans can reflect badly on all of us. Let's stay classy, Seahawks fans, and act like we belong. GO HAWKS!</p>
https://www.sonicsrising.com/2014/1/11/5298032/will-call-window-seahawks-fans-12th-manSonics Guy2014-01-02T17:39:20-08:002014-01-02T17:39:20-08:00Sonics Guy's Resolutions
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<p>We're a year closer to getting a team back.</p> <p>Well it's the New Year and I'm sure you're slowly getting back into the swing of work in this short work week. Why couldn't ALL weeks start on "Hump Day"? Of course, if that were the case, Thursday would be the new Hump Day.</p>
<p>Well one thing the New Year brings is the thought that we are one year closer to getting our Sonics back. While at first this may seem cynical, technically it's true. Every year that passes without us getting a team means we are a year closer to us getting a team. Isn't math fun?</p>
<p>Who would have thought we'd be in year six in this whole experience without our Sonics back? My money was on five years but you have to admit we were close last year.</p>
<p>The New Year often brings new resolutions so I'll tell you mine for the upcoming year:</p>
<p>1.) Maintain a positive attitude about us getting our Sonics back. (5 years running!)</p>
<p>2.) Follow the NBA this season. (Can the East only have 3 winning teams?)</p>
<p>3.) Give the New Commissioner a chance. (He's said expansion is on the table.)</p>
<p>4.) Write at least once a week for SonicsRising. (Getting better.)</p>
<p>5.) Stop making lists. (Oops!)</p>
<p>6.). Hit as many events as I can to deliver the Sonics message and let people know we need a team back.</p>
<p>Hopefully after this there will be very few New Years between now and us getting a team back. Happy New Year!</p>
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https://www.sonicsrising.com/2014/1/2/5264992/sonics-guys-2014-new-years-resolutions-nba-seattleSonics Guy