I've almost brought this up a time or two as Seattle's departure has come closer and closer to reality.  I, like most here hope it doesn't happen... but if it does there's something I'd love to see happen:  
Adopt Squatch as our mascot.

I almost brought this idea up in Dave's recent diary on the main page about if we could consider changing the name to something other that the Portland Trailblazers (I always liked the idea of the Oregon Trailblazers BTW, more inclusive, and still state specific... making the name itself make more sense to the nation... but that's a whole other discussion).  Unfortunately I would have posted at the end of the diary and thought this idea was worth consideration and discussion.

There are several reasons I like this plan.  First and foremost: I think Blaze is one of the sillier mascots out there... and this is coming from a guy who's Alma Mater is Syracuse University and was involved in the protests that ultimately saved Otto the Orange.  One of the most unidentifiable authentic mascots ever.  Blaze isn't far behind.  I can't tell you how many times I've had to tell people that blaze is a cat, or try to answer the inevitable question "Just what is a trail-cat?  A cat that likes trails?"  I don't know... if you google trail cat you don't come up with a definition other than Blaze.  Now, I'm all for abstract thought, I just... well I just don't like Blaze.

Flip-side:  I think Squatch is one of the best mascots ever.  I've been jealous of him for years... realizing that Oregonians should have equal dibs on such a mascot if only we had thought of it first.  Squatch may remain with the Sonics in Oklahoma City, but what kind of sense does that make?  None, only people in the NW can see a sasquatch, real or imagined.  Sasquatches are kind of magical that way.  It could be the water.  It could be the recreational habits, legal and / or otherwise.  Regardless I've decided that nobody can ever see a sasquatch outside of the northwest, and I don't need any evidence to back up that statement, we all know it's true.  I can't see that gesture of keeping Squatch the Sonics mascot anything that will keep former fans cheering for the team if they've already stopped cheering.  For those that are still die-hard Sonics fans, they'll probably remain so they'll just be Oklahoma City Sonics fans until the team fails to the point where even the current ownership group won't take part in it any longer, and I don't think they'll bail on the team if Squatch is replaced, cause hey, it makes sense.

Finally:  This would be a gesture that (although not my primary intent) could be an olive branch so to former our city to the north.  If I were a Sonics fan who were contemplating cheering for the Blazers post Sonics departure and I loved Squatch it wouldn't hurt my chances of jumping on the Trailblazer Express.

So, what do you all think of this idea.  I know there are complications, serious ones... will the Sonics forsake their mascot?  Will we be able to pick Squatch up if they do forsake?  Will this be embraced by the Blazer fan base?  Will there be a transitional period where we have 2 mascots?  Will there be kids crying from the Pacific as far as Boise and from the Columbia down to just south of the Oregon Caves?  I do not know... what I do know is I'd love to have us some Squatch!