Sonics Rising: All Posts by Taylor Bartle

KeyArena designation approved by landmark board

2017-08-04T15:54:04-07:00

City council will vote to grant official landmark status at a later date

As expected, KeyArena - and its signature roof - was approved for historical landmark status by the Seattle Landmarks Preservation Board on Wednesday. The arena fulfilled all six of the possible criteria for designation, not the least of which is being associated with a major historical event, in this case the World’s Fair in 1962. Other factors include being representative of the work of a well known designer (Paul Thiry, respectively) and having a significant impact on a community.

The city council will ultimately draft legislation and vote on an ordinance to grant official landmark status based on the Preservation Board’s designation approval.

The designation obviously has a major impact on the proposed renovation by the Oak View Group. Many people thought initially that the building’s potential designation would be seen as a road block, but it’s actually good for OVG, as they can receive a $70 million tax credit if the building is declared a Federal Landmark. This is the first step in that process.

Speaking of processes, there will now be a guideline for OVG to follow in their renovation plans. “They can make alterations but they have to go through a process,” Erin Doherty, landmarks board coordinator for the KeyArena project, told the Seattle Times. Members of OVG are expected to meet with the landmarks board soon to discuss what that process will entail and how to keep their designs in line with the designation.

A potential wrench was thrown into the gears when the Bressi Garage, home to Pottery Northwest, was also given landmark status. The city originally offered the building up in the Request For Proposals and OVG’s plans called for demolishing the 1923 structure to make way for a staging area and entry point for an underground loading dock. The designation will require a new plan for that loading dock, or possibly a negotiation with Pottery Northwest. OVG would have to get approval for any changes to the building.

"The project team (in this case OVG) would pursue proposed alterations through the Certificate of Approval process," Lois Maag, spokesperson for the Department of Neighborhoods, wrote in an email to KING 5. "The applicant can apply for a Certificate of Approval to alter or demolish the building, following the procedures in the Landmarks Ordinance. Before pursuing that option, the staff would urge them to explore alternatives to demolition and discuss them with the Landmarks Board."

The designation of the Bressi Garage could also end up as a net positive for OVG, as it creates the possibility of even further tax credits. "This property will be eligible for Special Tax Valuation as a city landmark. The buildings need to be listed on the National Register to be eligible for the federal rehabilitation tax credits," Maag wrote.

The Council's select committee on Civic Arenas has a meeting scheduled August 14th at 10:30 a.m. to review the status of the KeyArena proposal.

Aldridge talks expansion, Bonderman visits City Hall

2017-07-31T18:36:13-07:00

In his “Morning Tip” article this morning, NBA.com insider and TNT analyst David Aldridge discussed Adam Silver’s recent comments about NBA expansion, specifically to Seattle. Aldridge spoke to several NBA owners, who are the ones that ultimately make the decision to expand or not. While many of them had positive things to say about Seattle, they also did their share to douse some water on the idea.

“I believe Seattle should have the first shot,” one owner said. “I think a move is more likely than expansion, but right now, neither looks likely.”

The first shot is well and good, except who knows when that shot is coming, or how? The owner suggests a move is more likely, but still not likely. There are no teams with lease agreements coming to expire in the near future. Sacramento, Milwaukee, and Atlanta are all getting new or renovated arenas. A second owner echoed this sentiment.

“I agree with you there are some markets that would be great addition to the NBA but in terms of expansion, I think we need 30 solid teams first,” the second owner said. “If there are teams that are repeatedly losing money every year even after revenue sharing, we must consider moving existing teams to those markets first. Then, once all teams are healthy and making a profit, we can perhaps discuss expansion -- but not until then.”

Despite talk of teams losing money, team evaluations are only increasing. A third owner that Aldridge spoke to said that Ballmer’s $2 billion purchase of the Clippers should be “the starting point” for talk of an expansion fee.

“It may sound like a crazy high number now, but so did the Dodgers (who sold for $2 billion in 2012), Clippers and other team sales prices,” the third owner said. “If you can revitalize part of a city or create a world-class arena that draws a new level of cultural events or anchors downtown, then the economics for the real estate dwarf what happens with the team. For someone who has the wealth and wants to leave his or her imprint on a city and state, an NBA team makes perfect sense.”

At least one owner didn’t even seem as lukewarm as the others. A fourth owner said that he “would never think the money part should override what is best for the long-term viability of the league.”

Aldridge was mostly agnostic on which Seattle location would be preferred by the league, Chris Hansen’s SODO location or a renovated KeyArena in Lower Queen Anne. Aldridge pointed out pros and cons of both, stating that Hansen continues to buy land south of Safeco Field, but lacks political support thanks to the Port of Seattle’s opposition. He also mentions OVG, and specifically Tim Leiweke, having “relationships with most every power broker in the NHL and NBA,” however the Lower Queen Anne location still has major traffic concerns. Time will tell which location wins out, but it doesn’t sound like that time will be soon, at least for the NBA.

Speaking of OVG, Leiweke, along with Director of Special Projects Lance Lopes and investor David Bonderman, were spotted in Seattle today, specifically at Seattle City Hall. They were seen talking to council member Debora Juarez and council president Bruce Harrell. While it’s unknown what was discussed, logic would dictate that Bonderman - who is a UW grad and is worth $2.5 billion - was in town to discuss the proposed $564 million renovation of KeyArena. Bonderman has partnered with OVG and Hollywood movie producer Jerry Bruckheimer to bring an NHL team to Seattle.

The council's Select Committee on Civic Arenas’ next scheduled meeting is next Monday at 10:30 a.m.

Adam Silver: Expansion “inevitable,” Seattle “on a short list”

2017-07-25T12:51:42-07:00

Portland Trail Blazers guard C.J. McCollum has spent the last four NBA Drafts speaking to NBA Commissioner Adam Silver for an interview for The Players’ Tribune. This year was no different. McCollum asked Silver about everything from his views on marijuana, to gambling in sports, to whether teams should or should not visit the White House. At one point, the subject of putting a team back in Seattle was raised, as McCollum claimed he gets asked a lot “as a guy who plays in the Pacific North West.”

Silver’s response seemed to be a bit different, a bit softer, than we’ve heard in the past. While he still tried to quell expectations, he did go so far as to say that he doesn’t believe claims of talent dilution, and even said that expansion was “inevitable” and that Seattle would be on “a short list.” Here are some of the relevant quotes, with the video below.

“I think it’s just a question of when the right time is to seriously start thinking about expansion.”

“I don’t want to put a precise timeline on it, but it’s inevitable at some point we’ll start looking at growth of franchises.”

“Seattle will, no doubt, be on a short list of cities we’ll look at.”

This is yet another message to the city of Seattle that we need an arena plan in place sooner than later and that continuing to kick the can down the road is not an option. While we may be on the short list now, that list could get even shorter if we don’t have our act together when the “inevitable” happens.

SoDo arena group proves financial backing

2017-06-14T16:35:02-07:00

The group reiterates that there is no public money involved

The SoDo arena investment group; Chris Hansen, Wally Walker, Pete and Erik Nordstrom, and Russell Wilson, have released a new post on their website about “the three T’s.” Those are Transportation, Timing, and Taxes.

According to the post, these three items are the key to success for the project over a renovated KeyArena plan. They say that their location has “the best parking and transportation infrastructure,” and that with the extensive review process they have gone through, the timing of their project is years ahead. They also say that, with their plan, there will be no “tax rebates” and thus a tax windfall for the City, County, and State.

They back this statement up with a letter from JP Morgan Chase & Co, the largest bank in the United States and “one of the pre-eminent lenders in professional sports.” This is similar to the letter that the Oak View Group provided the city from Goldman, Sachs & Co.

The letter spells out JP Morgan’s experience in the field with their Sports Finance Group. The firm claims “extensive experience providing sports franchises with arena and stadium financing execution services, including in the bank and capital markets. J.P. Morgan is involved on many fronts with sports financing, and has close relationships with each of the five major US sports leagues as well as team organizations.”

The letter, while not listing a specific dollar amount, also lays out how Hansen and his team would finance the project, namely through ownership equity, the sale of seat licenses and sponsorship contracts and the proceeds of debt secured by revenues of the project. These seem to imply that a team would be required for financing, as those revenue streams would not otherwise exist.

Where are they now? The 2007-08 Seattle SuperSonics

2017-06-14T05:00:02-07:00

Nine years later, where are the last players to suit up for the Sonics?

The 2016-17 NBA season has come to a close, making it officially nine years since our beloved Seattle SuperSonics packed up and headed southeast.

That 2007-08 team was, for the most part, pretty forgettable. They finished the season 20-62, good for dead last in the Western Conference. The team was made up of mostly a mish-mash of veterans and guys who probably belonged in the Development League, and then there was Rookie of the Year Kevin Durant and fellow lottery pick Jeff Green. The team wasn’t built to win, it was built to shine the diamond that was KD so that he could sparkle once the team got to OKC.

Let’s take a look at the 21 players to suit up in Seattle SuperSonics’ green and gold that season and where they are now.

Nick Collison
Collison still plays for the Oklahoma City Thunder, although he will become a free agent on July 1. In 20 games played last season, he averaged 1.7 points and 1.5 rebounds in 6.4 minutes per game. He will be 37 by the time next season, his 14th, starts but, as of last month, he said he plans on returning. “I wasn't sure going into the season how I would feel at the end of the year, but I still enjoy playing, and I enjoy being around the group. I enjoy being on the team, and I still think I have something to offer."
Ronald Dupree
Dupree only played four games for the Sonics and - aside from a cup of coffee with the Toronto Raptors in 2010 - spent most of his career bouncing around the DLeague, playing for the Tulsa 66ers, Los Angeles D-Fenders, and Utah Flash. He also had a couple stints overseas in Argentina, Germany, and Israel. In 2014, he retired and became a Student Assistant at Louisiana State University under then-coach Johnny Jones. When Jones was fired and became the head coach at the University of Nevada, Dupree followed and is now an assistant coach for the Wolfpack.
Kevin Durant
Durant has, by far, been the most successful player from the 2007-08 Sonics. After winning Rookie of the Year, he went on to win the NBA MVP award in 2014 after scoring 32 points per game. He has averaged 27.2 points per game over his career. Last summer, Durant left the Thunder and joined the Golden State Warriors, where he won the 2017 NBA Championship and was named NBA Finals MVP. ~~He has a player option for next season that he is expected to exercise.~~ Durant will actually be declining his player option to get a larger pay day. (Credit: Kevin Pelton)
Francisco Elson
Elson bounced around the league, playing for Milwaukee, Utah, and Philadelphia after the Sonics moved. He retired in March of 2014 and is now Senior Managing Director for a pain relief cream called Flexpower in the Netherlands.
Mickael Gelabale
Gelabale spent most of his post-Sonics career overseas, playing for teams in Spain, Russia, and his native France. He did return to the league in 2012-13 with the Minnesota Timberwolves, playing in 36 games. “Gelly” still plays professionally for Le Mans Sarthe of the French league LNB Pro A, averaging 8.6 points per game. He also plays for France’s national basketball team in international competition.
Eddie Gill
Eddie Gill suited up for one game as a SuperSonic in their final season. He played five minutes and recorded one assist. It’s not much but it’s enough to get him on this list. Other than six games with Milwaukee the following season, Gill’s post-Sonics career was spent mostly in Germany and Australia. He retired in 2012 and is now a financial adviser, specializing in wealth management, at Wells Fargo. He is also a Board Member of The Children’s Bureau & Marian University and is active in community initiatives with the Indiana Pacers.
Jeff Green
“Uncle” Jeff Green, the man the Sonics traded Ray Allen for, has had some trouble sticking with one team. Green stayed with the Thunder for three seasons before being traded to the Boston Celtics (the team that originally drafted him). He played four seasons there before being traded again, this time to the Memphis Grizzlies. After two seasons with them, he was traded yet again to the Los Angeles Clippers. He played 27 games for the Clippers and then signed with the Orlando Magic last summer. He averaged 9.2 points per game and missed the last nine games of the season with a back injury.
Adrian Griffin
Griffin was traded mid-season to the Milwaukee Bucks, who then waived him and subsequently hired him to their coaching staff. He stayed in that role for two seasons before joining Tom Thibodeau and the Chicago Bulls. He would serve as an assistant there for five seasons before being hired by the Orlando Magic, then joining the Oklahoma City Thunder the following season.
Donyell Marshall
After his tenure with the Sonics he was released by the Thunder. He played one final season with his hometown Philadelphia 76ers before retiring. He immediately jumped into the collegiate coaching ranks as an assistant for first George Washington for a season, then the Maine Red Claws called his name, the following year he headed to Rider University. He spent the last year as head coach of the Central Connecticut State University Blue Devils men's basketball team. The team finished 6-23 for the season. Despite the bad record he’s considered one of the rising stars in the collegiate coaching realm.
Ira Newble
Newble only played two games for the Sonics after being traded to them from the Cavs. He was quickly released. Newble bounced around a bit more after his release playing in Europe to finish his career. After his retirement from playing he became an assistant for the Canton Charge. He’s currently slated to start his third season with Bakersfield Jam as an assistant.
Johan Petro
After leaving the Sonics, Petro bounced around the league, even being traded for “ISO” Joe Johnson at one point. His claim to fame during his Nets tenure is that he scored the final points for the team when they were in New Jersey. Petro has played for seven franchises since his time with the Nets. He last played for the Sioux Falls Skyforce in the D-Leauge this past season. He is currently a free agent.
Luke Ridnour
After the Sonics left for OKC, Luke had a bit of a time sticking with one franchise. In the seven years post-Seattle, Luke was traded seven times. Four of those times came in a span of a six days. Ridnour is now retired and running an extensive basketball camp up in Blaine. We’ve reached out for numerous interview requests, but have yet to hear back from him. I feel he is destined to be the coach of the Suns in the next couple of years. You’ll see why in a bit.
Mouhamed Sene
Sene is one of the many failed center projects of Sonics Draft Lore. The oft injured center has bounced around the NBA, D-League, and overseas franchises since his depture from Seattle. He last played for the Spurs D-League team in 2016. He’s currently a tutor in the Senegal SEED Programme.
Robert Swift
This SI piece more than covers it.
Wally Szczerbiak
Szczerbiak was traded midseason to Cleveland where he played in 99 regular season games for the Cavs and a few more in the playoffs. After his third major knee surgery Szczerbiak retired from the sport and jumped right into being a collegiate basketball analyst for CBS Sports. He now works for the MSG Network covering his childhood team, the New York Knicks.
Kurt Thomas
Retired in 2013 after being released by the Knicks. We dug as much as we could to get some info on Thomas, but the man has been very successful at staying completely out of the spotlight the last four years.
Earl Watson
Watson is currently the head coach of the Phoenix Suns. He played for three more teams before becoming an assistant coach in the Spurs system. Watson is currently heading into his third season as Suns coach where he has a 33-82 record. He’s got a lot of young talent to work with. (Correction credit: Kevin Pelton)
Delonte West
The Huff Post has an incredibly sad story on West. Again, they cover it way better than we could.
Chris Wilcox
Wilcox played for the Celtics, Pistons, and the Knicks before he retired in 2013 due to a heart condition. Chris hosts an annual golf outing called the Chris Wilcox Power Forward to Save Lives. The event benefits the local Raleigh chapters of the American Heart Association and the Lupus Foundation of America. His jersey is framed in my office for obvious reasons.
Damien Wilkins
At the age of 37, Wilkins is still playing basketball in the D-League, for the Hornets’ affiliate team, the Greensboro Swarm. He last played in the NBA in 2013 for the Philadelphia 76ers. He has also played in China, Puerto Rico, and Venezuela.
Mike Wilks
After a couple months in OKC, Wilks was released when the Thunder brought in Eric Maynor. After not finding another NBA squad, Wilks finished his playing career in Poland. He joined the Thunder as a scout in 2012 and is now their Director of College Player Personnel.

Coaching staff

P.J. Carlesimo
After being unceremoniously dumped the season after the Sonics left for OKC, P.J. spent a couple years as an assistant in Toronto and Brooklyn. He took over for Avery Johnson in 2013, after the Nets fired Johnson. Now you can hear P.J. doing color commentary for Turner and ESPN.
Scott Brooks
Brooks currently the Head Coach of the Washington Wizards. He led the Thunder to the Finals in 2012 and was the hottest young coaching prospect in the league. His Wizards squad is a fast rising team, taking the #1 seed Boston Celtics to the seven games in the second round of the 2017 playoffs. He has a 387-240 record as a head coach in the NBA.
Mark Bryant
Bryant is still on the Thunder coaching staff. This could be his lot in life going forward.
Ralph Lewis
Lewis stuck with the Thunder until June of 2009. In 2010, he joined the Charlotte Bobcats as an assistant to Paul Silas. He spent three seasons in Charlotte before being fired. He is now retired.
Paul Westhead
After spending one year as an assistant for the Thunder, Westhead signed a five-year contract to become head coach of the Oregon Ducks womens basketball team. He had a record of 65-90 while there and his contract was not renewed. He is now retired.

Kevin Durant named NBA Finals MVP

2017-06-12T21:01:54-07:00

The former Sonic scored 30 or more points in every game

Former Seattle Supersonic #2 pick and Rookie of the Year Kevin Durant has won his first championship and it wasn’t with the Oklahoma City Thunder.

When Durant joined the Golden State Warriors this past summer, many chastised his decision. They compared it LeBron James’s “Decision” to join the Miami Heat with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh to win not one, not two... no wait, two NBA titles. They claimed Durant was giving up, succumbing to a “if you can’t beat them, join them” attitude. However, in these NBA Finals, Durant wasn’t a hanger-on. He wasn’t riding anyone’s coattails. He was dominant. He was the reason the Warriors won their second title in three years. And he was the Finals’ Most Valuable Player.

Durant scored over 30 points in every game of this Finals, including 39 in the decisive game five, and averaged 35.2 over the series. He is only the sixth player to accomplish such a feat, joining some elite company: Elgin Baylor, Los Angeles Lakers (vs. Boston Celtics) in 1962 (7 games), Rick Barry, San Francisco Warriors (vs. Philadelphia 76ers) in 1967 (6 games), Michael Jordan, Chicago Bulls (vs. Phoenix Suns) in 1993 (6 games), Hakeem Olajuwon, Houston Rockets (vs. Orlando Magic) in 1995 (4 games), and Shaquille O'Neal, Los Angeles Lakers (vs. Indiana Pacers) in 2000 (6 games).

Durant had one of the most impressive offensive performances in NBA history, shooting 55.6% from the field, 47.4% from behind the three-point line, and 92.7% from the free throw line. Those kind of numbers put him not just in, but ABOVE, elite company;

Michael Jordan in 1992: 35.8 points, 53% from the field, 42.9% from three, and 89.1% from the line
Chauncey Billups in 2004: 21 points, 51% from the field, 47.1% from three, 92.9% from the line
Ray Allen in 2008: 20.3 points, 51% from the field, 52% from three, 87% from the line
Penny Hardaway in 1995: 25.5 points, 50% from the field, 45.8% from three, 91.3% from the line

Durant had the most efficient scoring performance of all time, and also had 8.4 rebounds, 5.4 assists, and 1.6 blocks per game. It was truly amazing to watch.

From the city of Seattle, congratulations Kevin!

Wally Walker met with NHL brass

2017-06-09T12:39:19-07:00

The Sodo arena investor gave the league an update on their progress

KING 5’s Chris Daniels is reporting that Sonics Arena investor, and former Sonics forward, Wally Walker met with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly some time Tuesday at the league offices in New York.

The meeting, which was not the first between Walker and the league, was said to be an update on the Sodo arena’s progress. It was described by Daniels’ sources as “a warm, friendly discussion on the project, and the league’s future plans.”

The meeting took place in between Stanley Cup Finals games and one day before Tim Leiweke’s Oak View Group was named as the developer of a KeyArena renovation and subsequently announced their NHL ownership group of David Bonderman and Jerry Bruckheimer.

It’s great that the Sodo group remains in contact with the league (or leagues? We haven’t heard any updates about the group’s conversations with the NBA), however a more powerful message would be to announce their own NHL ownership group. It’s unlikely that Walker would have the means to be an owner. Former Chris Hansen partner-in-waiting Victor Coleman is available again after his Seattle Partners group rescinded their offer to renovate KeyArena.

Since the project has gone fully private, there should be nothing holding back an NHL partner from stepping forward. The project is capable of being NHL first at this point and, if comments from the NBA, Mayor Murray, and Leiweke are to be believed, certainly would need to be. The original MOU made construction of the building contingent on having an NBA team, but given that the Sonics Arena team has offered to tear up that MOU in order to privately fund the project, that should be no issue.

The Sodo project is clearly, ahem, still here and still working. However, there is still much more work to be done. Much to-do was made of OVG’s ownership partnership with Bonderman and Bruckheimer, and Sonics Arena would do well to fight fire with fire, or an ownership group with an ownership group.

This certainly looks like the beginning of the end for this long and winding road, but there’s still a ways to go until we find out where the final destination lies. Seattle City Council President Bruce Harrell told Daniels that he expects SDOT to forward the street vacation application to the Council this summer. A vote is tentatively scheduled for some time in September. They will then vote on KeyArena in December.

Bettman approves of KeyArena renovations, but no team imminent

2017-06-08T08:32:08-07:00

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman decided to rain a little bit of on the parade of people ready to use the Oak View Group’s indoctrination as KeyArena developers as a welcoming party for the NHL. In an interview with the NHL Radio Network on Wednesday, Bettman had this to say about a team coming to Seattle:

"We haven't made any commitments to Seattle. We're not making any commitments to expand. We're not planning on moving anybody."

Of course, we could all point back to how many times Bettman said the league wasn’t going to expand at all before ultimately announcing the opening of the expansion process subsequently awarding the Vegas Golden Knights to billionaire Bill Foley. Bettman hasn’t changed his stance, however, that the league wants tangible evidence of an arena actively being built.

"If (Seattle) sorts out the building arrangement and somebody actually puts a shovel in the ground, my guess is there will be people knocking on our door saying, 'We'd like to have a team play in that building. If and when all that happens, then we'll focus on it, and decide if we have any interest in expanding and if we have any interest in expanding to Seattle.

Beyond that, there is no reason for anyone to think a team is imminent right now in Seattle."

It’s somewhat curious in my eyes that Bettman would say “my guess is there will be people knocking on our door,” when he knows that billionaire David Bonderman, who the league has confirmed talking to, and movie mogul Jerry Bruckheimer are looking to be owners. Could it be more Bettman doublespeak?

There have been questions of whether the NBA and NHL would approve a renovated KeyArena since before the Oak View Group even appeared on the scene here in Seattle. This morning, at least part of that question was answered by KIRO 710's Mike Salk.

Seattle Arena News:

Was told by a high level NHL exec that Bettman has seen the OVG plans, has indicated they're acceptable for the league.
— Mike Salk, 710 ESPN (@TheMikeSalk) June 8, 2017

It's not entirely surprising, given that OVG CEO Tim Leiweke has said repeatedly that his group would work to meet both leagues' specifications, but it does offer some semblance of confirmation. Salk did double down on Bettman’s comments somewhat however…

That isn't a promise of a team or anything, but should quell fears that the NHL would have any objection to the site or the building.
— Mike Salk, 710 ESPN (@TheMikeSalk) June 8, 2017

Certainly, there is no promise and no guarantee of a team until all i’s are dotted and t’s crossed, but with two viable arena plans being offered up, we appear to be closer than we’ve ever been.