So here we are one month out.
Thursday Sacramento has their plan release, Tuesday they will be talking about it and April 3 we expect some further indication.
I think it is great to see this community evolving and am just thrilled to see the feedback we got from last nights game thread. What do people want to see more of? Game coverage, draft coverage?
Let us know
The guy who designed all the SB Nation logos has done one for Sonics Rising. It’s pretty effin great too.
http://dribbble.com/shots/981465-Sonics-Rising
I think he did it on spec that it would be needed?
Cool logo.
Like I said on the last thread, it looks pretty phallic to me. Might need to do something about that, unless people like it that way.
I’m not sure you could include the space needle in a non-phallic manner.
I’d like to see that Kevin guy running game threads almost every night.
I don’t find this site’s logo to be. Or in the classic skyline logo, though that may be because the Needle is off to the side a bit:
http://content.sportslogos.net/logos/6/241/full/cxe7hh6lwjtpdhcoyiuc064sp.gif
Maybe I just have deep-seeded issues.
I love the game threads, its nice getting away from the circus one in a while. Circus leaves town April 19th! Then draft threads…
Well that Space Needle is a phallus, so I guess it depends on what you have on your mind when you look at it.
I think the logo needs to get more phallic, if anything.
I’m a fan of the game threads. Kevin does a great job on them.
How about a “Down Arrow Button” next to or on the opposite side of the “Up Arrow Button”,,,if you are still taking request….BTW, Kevin, you have down a great job.
More Phallic, like this?
I think 2-3 game threads a week is a good amount for now to get our minds a little off of the goings on of the Kings-Sonics saga. At the same time I like that we are staying on top of things with all the news that comes down the pike (newsworthy or not ).
On the Kings/Sonics saga I am suprised we havent heard much on the term sheet and where they stand in the negotiations. You think they would want to give their fan base some morale boost saying that they are getting close and finalizing some of the details. Maybe Im reading too much into the silence but I wonder if they are being hush hush because its not going as expected?
I don’t see any need to leak details or give a morale boost. If they come out with a semi-complete plan on Thursday it’s going to rally the troops just fine. I think there’d be leaks if things WEREN’T going well by sides trying to get the blame game in their favor.
Can that actually be our logo?
Actually, if I’m a SacTown fan, I would prefer silence in this situation. It means no one is negotiating in public. Negotiating through the press is a sign that things aren’t going well.
Anybody why the #1 seed (NIT) Kentucky is playing @ Robert Morris. Did UK say that the NIT is not worthy of playing a game @Rupp (whatever its called these days)
Haha! I don’t know how it’d fly over with fans that Karl Malone is in the Sonics Rising logo.
Yeah I see your point. Probably some nervous times in Sacramento. Im sure something will get done but I’m sure it wouldn’t please CMD if he is going on that road trip knowing its a swan song
It’s because Louisville and others are playing opening round games there in two days. They have to get the arena ready for that.
yes please
Mitch Levy one of the 50 Seattleites changing the world……
http://www.seattlemet.com/news-and-profiles/people-and-profiles/articles/50-seattleites-who-are-changing-the-world-march-2013
Oh okay I assumed it was something along those lines but just wanted some clarity. Thanks Kevin per usual
Off topic, but fun little story.
Yesterday it was about 65 here, I grab some brats and a few other things to toss on the grill for tonight because spring had finally arrived!
Woke up today and it was snowing. It has since stopped snowing and it’s still cold, but I’m still going to grill damnit!
Eastern Washington BBQ :)
I’ve been holding off on this post for awhile because I didn’t want to jump the gun, but since MKT spoke on it, I may as well.
I agree with him that the new arena needs something unique to Seattle. I’ve always hated that every arena does the same thing. Same music, same clappy things, same ‘fire up the crowd’ gimmicks, etc. So much for home court advantage. I thought it was lame to be in a tight big game situation and they start some huge crowd energy gimmick to fire everyone up knowing that the visitors had the same stuff at their arena. So who knows if it fires them up as well? It would me. Anyway, I’d love something to create a true home court advantage. How about our own soundtrack? Does the NBA get rights for songs in exchange for forcing the same in every town? Our own sound effects (remember the Sonic Boom?). Our own video clips. You get what I’m saying.
How about real halftime entertainment too? I never leave the seats during halftime because its too crowded in the concourse and I’m not going to buy anything so there is no point. I was entertained by the ‘Bowl on head lady’, Quickchange, dog races, Gentleman Jugglers, the oiled up muscle guys that lifted each other, and such. A couple nights of little kid basketball is fine but it seems like for a long time that is all it was. Game after game. It got old. I’m probably in the minority on this but I don’t look forward to the boom squad either. Much rather watch the dance team.
Was Nerlens Noel seriously that impactful for Kentucky or are they missing other key players? They had the #1 recruiting class plus returning a couple guys from the previous year and they are not good especially defensively. I know that they lost a lot of their interior defense but hot damn.
I thought UCLA ended up #1, but either way they were up there. And yes, Noel was big plus they evaluate teams based on injured players so that probably sealed the deal.
I was just 5 or 6 when the sonics were really good in the mid 90s granted I was probably the no. 1 5 year old fan (in my school anyway). My point is when my world really started revolving around the sonics and basketball and sports in general, the sonics weren’t very good, so the draft was always one of my favorite times always so exciting for me. A sign of hope. Anyways, I love the draft coverage. Keep it coming.
I really enjoy the game threads — especially the big games like the Celtics/Heat. When Kobe plays, I always watch the Lakers. I also always try to tune in to watch the Clippers, Spurs, Denver, sometimes Portland. A Clipper/SAC thread would be a good thread coming up.
Tourney time is a blast so game threads on the tourney would be great.
I don’t really get into the draft since it seems to take a few years for the guys to get their style/system down.
He doesn’t ever know what he’s talking about
lol! jk!
Is Sonics Rising going to be swallowed up by SB Nation?
Seattle gets spring fever early every year. The first mid 60s sunny day everyone’s out in shorts and grilling at the beach. Then around 6 it drops to 50 and we close up until summer.
I loved the Boom Squad as well as the dancers! The children’s basketball was a little boring but not enough for me to be upset. If it cuts costs and kids enjoying doing it then I don’t mind it now and then. I do agree it seemed to happen a lot though.
I never enjoyed the dog show. I always like seeing fans do things to make fools of themselves so some races were cool.
Denver vs OKC is always an entertaining game. 34-26 end of 1st
brian,
what did you mean by “Tuesday they will be talking about it” ?
Breaking news! Brian Davis is still terrible.
the 26th is the council meeting.
Haha agreed. He’s best on mute
on top of that okc’s court is still terrible too,
LOL!
Javale is awesome! He’s a bit of a headcase on the court at times but I love him.
Shaqtin a fool anyone?? haha
I’m glad that wasn’t a foul on Chandler. Of course I also hate anything that goes towards okc.
Not to mention that was a clean block by Javale.
Brian Davis has said the reverse on both plays… He’s a horrible okc homer.
and I hate okc… did I mention that already?
Yet another play called by Davis “Chandler appeared to shove off”
Are you kidding me?
you could hear a mouse fart in “loud city” tonight…
Exactly how I see it.
66-65 at half. Going to be a good 2nd half.
JaVale is so big and so athletic I’m amazed he plays less than 20 mins. Then I watch shaqtin a fool and see why lol
Denver has a nice mix of players. They have a chance to make some noise in the playoffs
Dave Softy Mahler @Softykjr 5m
Robert Morris up on Kentucky by 10. 11:00 left.
Looks like that’s how they’re taking the game. Last year Arizona lost in the first round because they had the same attitude.
I grill all year long, yes - - even in the snow. My deck is partially covered.
Kevin, are you going to post pics of your grilled brats ? Geez, the last thread w/burger photos made me hungry.
This Nuggets team is a lot of fun and they play well together it seems. I’ve always felt Andre Miller was under rated. He led the league in assists one year as a Cav (before Bron). Andre Iguadala was unfortunately the main man in Philly for a lot of years. They had him playing the Durant role when he might be better as a Shawn Marion in Phx role.
This isn’t a team you want to see in the playoffs. I also don’t think it’s a team you bet on in the playoffs either though. They play loose and fast basketball which gets slowed down and picked apart in the playoffs.
Thanks for the great little trip down memory lane. That was fun !! Those oiled muscle guys kinda grossed me out in a very weird way.
If you combined Carmichael Dave and Aaron Bruski he might have an eighth of their basketball knowledge. ;)
Lucky Jones for Robert Morris wasnt so lucky and just got ejected for Flagrant 2.
I’m sorry. I’ll show off my wings and ribs shortly.
You’re everyone’s problem. That’s because every time you go up in the air, you’re unsafe. I don’t like you because you’re dangerous.
Marshall Cherrington @MCWayne22 5m
“@UW_MBB: Front row of BYU student section, one fan holds up a random ‘Bring Back the Sonics’ sign.” @Sonicsgate @SonicsNBA
NICE
Is it illegal to make a noise in Oklahoma City?
I don’t actually understand this post lol. “You’ll have to excuse my friend, he’s a little slow.”
That’s what I’m saying! It’s silent. Loud City my ass.
Go watch Top Gun!
It’s how I feel about the Nuggets. Your comments just made me think of the movie.
“Your ego is writing checks your body can’t cash!”
Haven’t seen that movie in way too long.
I quoted Dumb and Dumber in my last post!
Did they chant Supersonic when Shawn Kemp jr went up for a shot?
Iguadala (sp?) still has some hang time
He’s ageless just like the 37 year old Andre Miller!
I seriously did not know Miller was that old now.
Chris made the list too.
Chris Hansen
Arena Builder, Sonics Savior, Age 45
The Seattle native stunned his hometown when he unfolded his considerably plump wallet in 2012—he’s a billionaire San Francisco hedge fund manager—to purchase land in SoDo for a new NBA arena. But Sonics fans, still agonizing over the flight of their beloved team to Oklahoma City five years ago, were gobsmacked anew when Hansen and new pal Steve Ballmer purchased a $341 million controlling share of the Sacramento Kings.
Wow neither did I.
Chris Daniels @ChrisDaniels5
RT @Ryan_Lillis: City Manager Shirey: ‘We believe we’ll still make that deadline’ of releasing #NBAKings #arena financing plan on Thursday
Well they still believe they will have the term sheet released Thrusday or the council will be notified by Wednesday that they dont
Big pump up production during the timeout then the camera shows the fans and no ones standing! lol
I say this a lot and I’ll say it again. I am so happy that Westbrook never put on a Sonics jersey.
I agree, assuming we’re approved in April, the draft is going to be SO exciting.
Don’t agree with taht charge call.
The one against Denver that is. Brian Davis even agreed with the prior charge on Durant so we know that one is a good call lol.
On Durant or iguodala?
Hahaha… It’s hard to listen to Davis.
Iguodala. Nick jumped in after he’d started going up for the shot and wasn’t fully out of the circle it seemed.
Mariners are playing SF Giants on ROOT if you are interested. Mauer is pitching. He may make the rotation.
Is Collison trying to lookalike Macklemore?
I’m a big Kenneth fan
Andre Miller!!!
Definitely was still moving!
Miller!!!
I repeat… Andre Miller!!!!
You can’t stop Andre Miller, you can only hope to contain him and Russell Westbrook left the lid off the container!!!!
I have never been a fan of that form of “defense.” Shane Battier, Nick Collison etc jumping front of the shooter at the last second then falling backwards.
For the record I still love Nick.
Wow OKC fans already gone with 1:30 left in game
Agreed. It’s even worse in college. Drives me nuts.
But they have great fans!
I like this convo between Brian Davis and other dude. Davis likes okc being respectful of Denver’s win streak. Other dude likes the way Celts were blunt against not liking Heat’s win streak.
Oh man I know!
Hey’ Maryland gonna take the NIT?? Cause I know UW isn’t…
okc should not be taken lightly what so ever but I’m pretty happy that Harden is no longer there.
So basically they need to be done by tonight with final bargaining by Wednesday afternoon/evening. Sounds fun.
Wait until they start sucking in a few years and they won’t have any fans to leave the games.
Maryland won their NIT game tonight. UW is playing BYU right now.
I’d like to see Maryland play UW in the finals. Only because Maryland has tried to schedule UW a few times the past five years and Romar said no. Maryland was even willing to travel which they never do.
okc has notoriously bad traffic in their super urban dow….. bahahahaha!
Their playoff hopes really rest on whether or not Westbrook becomes ball hog or distributor during the late rounds.
Great win Denver!!!
Fokc!
Yeah, Romar really needs to start scheduling some bigger games outside of the 1 tourney the team goes to each year. I would like them to start up another pac-12/big12 challenge to at least get another good game in there. Or maybe the Mountain West which could be fun.
They should play Gonzaga every year at the Key. Haven’t they been ducking Gonzaga the past few years too?
And in case everyone wants to know (or any lurking StR fans)…google is starting a specific GIF search engine. Possibly the best and worst idea at the same time.
Yeah, the zags wanted home and home and UW wanted it neutral so that killed it. Should really be Key one year and Spokane Arena the other.
and by neutral i mean the Key
From the tweets I saw I would say they probably have something all but done or possibly their final offer that will be done by tomorrow like a take it or leave it type thing (one side or the other could be doing this). So I would say they are pretty much ready and just know that something could end up throwing it off.
Oh i agree, I just meant if they didn’t by now it would be pretty much over. i am sure there is something of a framework done
The big issue regarding the arena is the land so it doesn’t matter if they have financial plan revealed by Thursday. No way they are gonna get all the land by next month.
Not sure NBA would like take it or leave it thing.
here’s the tweets
Chris Daniels @ChrisDaniels5 55m
RT @Ryan_Lillis: City Manager Shirey tells council that if a deal is not reached with Burkle/Mastrov, he’ll tell council Wednesday
Chris Daniels @ChrisDaniels5
MT @Ryan_Lillis: City Mgr Shirey says ‘it will take every min between now and (Thursday)’ to reach #arena financing deal with Burkle/Mastrov
So sounds like there is no deal at the moment.
The thing about the land is that from my understanding is that the owners are losing a ton of money at least on the surface. I guess the value isnt very high so if they got bought out for FMV or close to then it may not be too hard to get it done
But within a month though? Not saying it won’t get done.
That would be the issue. You know that someone would be holding out to try and wiggle some more scratch out of people. Also, they might lease the land so then you have to figure out how to draw up however many contracts that is would just seem like a long time. But i don’t doubt they present something to the council. All that really matters is they present something because if it isn’t favorable for whatever reason the council can always vote no on it.
Not really talking about the council voting its on what the NBA thinks of said arena plan.
I am pretty much past the NBA finding a Sac arena plan favorable or at least as far along at this point and now am focusing on if they can even get any sort of term sheet done. Should they lay out the financing side of things they can go to the NBA with at least the most important aspect, but then that can be declined due to logistics or whatever other reason they choose.
Well favor perhaps but regarding the issue of not having all the land acquired though.
I thought Daniels tweeted that the final decision would be made April 18th. I also saw on the sonicsarena website that the 18th was decision day too.
That’s when the BOG vote will take place. We are talking about Sacramento’s arena plan that may or may not happen.
Well, I think if what SAC comes up with on the 3rd is not something the league looks as favorable, they might approve sale/relo right there. Not holding my breath, but I wouldn’t count it out.
I doubt it. I think they will get most of the discussions taken care of on the 3rd then have the vote on April 18/19.
I do think if the votes aren’t there on the BOG or there is any serious doubt that he’ll be approved, Hansen will back out after the 3rd in exchange for something else. Not saying what that is, but I don’t see him coming up empty handed from all of this, and I don’t see him dragging it on in the small chance the votes aren’t there or it is seriously up in the air. If we don’t hear anything, we can assume it’ll be approved IMO.
New basketball related thread is up!
The BOG vote won’t happen if it isn’t a certainty Hansen will be approved. If it isn’t going to be, Hansen will probably know that after the 3rd and back out. I don’t see him dragging it on if he doesn’t know for a fact the votes are all lined up. If you already know you wont be approved or there is a serious chance you wont, backing out and securing something else, even if it is down the line, would be what I would expect him to do.
Please no Kings threads until after the BOG vote. Assuming we are approved, draft threads make sense after April 18th.
We won’t, working on other things until then.
Well, to be fair, they do have to get up at the crack of dawn to milk their cows and farm all that dirt they got; followed by five solid minutes of sobbing because they live in Oklahoma.
You’re a human Pemco advertisement!
I would (count it out, that is).
Remember how many of us were convinced the vote would be taken at the ASG? The NBA sets its own schedule according to what seems good to them, not to us. I fully expect that, even if Sacramento couldn’t come up with a satisfactory arena plan or bid amount, and didn’t even make a presentation on the 3rd, the BoG would still wait to hold the vote when they said they would. Why? Because that’s what they decided back in January, that’s why.
I don’t know if we’d know anything about it, though.
My guess is that, if Sactown puts together a great package and a dynamite presentation on the 3rd, and it looks as if the BoG is seized by a burst of sentimentality, the next two weeks would be spent in internal discussions concerning whether their stated opposition to the “e-word” might be bent in this one case, just to accommodate bringing this area back into the league with this ownership group or, if not, whether there’s some other accommodation that can be made (as in, telling H/B/N to go after some other franchise instead, with the ironclad guarantee that they’ll be approved no matter what the current city does). If either of those happens, I wouldn’t expect it to be announced until it is a done deal on the 18th or 19th. It’s quite possible that, if such a scenario takes place, well be told that H/B/N has withdrawn their offer when the BoG meets on the 18th, but not much before.
Actually, it seems to me the decision to move the presentation date up to the 3rd is extremely favorable for Seattle, because it implies that the Board won’t be voting immediately after Sactown’s presentation, when enough of them might get tipped by KJ’s influence to block the sale. What I’m seeing here is that, if Sacramento were to knock everyone’s socks off, there would then be a couple of weeks of cooling-off time where discussions would center around whether it might be O.K. to go with the “e-word” to ensure both cities get teams — and, if it turns out the answer is “no,” I would suspect the BoG’s final conclusion, in the cold light of day, would be “well, if only one of these cities/markets can wind up with a team, we’d prefer Seattle” and approve the sale anyway.
I guess if there are other owners willing to negotiate about selling their teams that could be a possibility. $525 mil probably will open a lot of doors.