A crazy idea to save basketball in Seattle

by erastus25 on Mar 8, 2008 1:05 PM PST

Right now, it looks like David Stern is either unable or unwilling to intervene and block the Sonics move to OKC. I, like many fans, think this is a bad PR move, a bad business move and a bad basketball move.

However, there may be a way to save the NBA in Seattle. If Jeff Green and Kevin Durant both go on record saying that they will not play unless they are traded or the move is halted, the Sonics' departure could be stopped. Both players would benefit from this gamble by endearing themselves to the fanbase in Seattle. Perhaps more than any other players in professional sports, Green and Durant would become the face and identity of their team. The good will from fans and sponsors across the NBA would more than make it worth their while financially and emotionally.

Of course, the Sonics owner could choose to ignore such demands. However, ignoring the problem comes at the price of alienating the two players the franchise has built its entire future around. To gut the team as they have done and then lose their two building blocks to either trade or bad attitudes would be disastrous. Imagine if Brandon Roy and Greg Oden were to demand trades at the end of this season. After all the good will and positivity the team has created such a blow could be fatal. The same is true for the Seattle franchise.

Some may argue that players holding their teams hostage is inappropriate. Unfortunately, many players in the NBA have already done this and a culture approving, or at least tolerating, such acts already exists. Surely Green and Durant would be acting in a much more noble and tolerable manner than all the players who have refused to play or demanded trades in the past. Considering the current state of the Sonics such an act of cowboy diplomacy could be considered the correct and appropriate course of action.

I realize that this would most likely never happen as such a gutsy and politically bold move by a player is an extremely damaging and potentially costly gambit, but it certainly does not hurt to at least consider the possibility.

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problem is that durant and green

have no attatchment to Seattle, plus they are tiny little rookies. They are probably just trying to fit into the nba and not cause trouble. Being a Durant fan, I can guarantee you that he wont let location issues keep him off the floor. This guy wants to play and get better, regardless of where his team is.

Its a good idea, but I dont see anyway it happens...

Rudy > MJ

by myemic23 on Mar 8, 2008 1:27 PM PST reply actions

It's a dramatic idea

And would certainly get a lot of attention from the media and maybe make the whole move seem more ridiculous. BUT, I don't know if Seattle basketball is all that important to Green or Durant, and it's a big risk for them to take.

They're just kids, after all, and neither had probably ever even thought about Seattle before being drafted by them. They play for the Sonics, but I doubt they feel any sort of connection to the city or the franchise-- especially when compared to a fan or citizen of the Northwest. It also doesn't help that Durant doesn't even get much attention from people around Seattle (according to him), which is the complete opposite of when us Portlanders see ANY Blazer, let alone someone like Oden. I just don't feel like Green or Durant are connected enough to the city to make a sacrifice like this.

Not that I know them, of course.

I'd be all for it, because then either Green or Durant would be hated by their owner and THEY would hate the owner as well and then it'll be easier for us to steal one of them away. Durant preferrably (Nate and Roy can make him be as good as he should be), but Green ain't spoiled eggs himself. I like him.

This story is such a bummer, and I feel so badly for Sonic fans. It just isn't fair.

Mortimer

by Mortimer on Mar 8, 2008 1:29 PM PST reply actions

I should have explained better

In response To both Mortimer and the post directly above - I should have explained myself a little better. I realize that Green and Durant have no long term ties to Seattle and would have little reason to stick their necks out for the city. However, the publicity they would gain from such a gesture would make it worth their while. If the Sonics did stay in Seattle they would automatically become conquering heroes - adored by the fans and corporations of the area. Further, GMs and fans around the NBA would look at them as guys who are willing to stand up for their city and team. They would instantly become "character guys" that any team would want in the locker room. Considering the responses from not only Seattle but all over the country the impending move has evoked, the title of "The Man who Saved the Sonics" would certainly be worth a lot.

by erastus25 on Mar 8, 2008 1:35 PM PST up reply actions

i love kd more than anyone but...

...he won't be doing that.

he's too corporate. it's sad but true. causing that kind of ruckus would unsettle his endorsers. it would earn him some disdain from the league. it would tarnish a so far unblemished image. all risk, very low percentage of a reward.

my feeling from talking with kd on christmas and in february is that he is indifferent to negative on his current situation. his body language on the floor is not good. it seems that he doesnt trust or care much about his teammates. compare to the hero's welcome Oden has received here, the sonics haven't done nearly enough to promote him (in my opinion).

i think a more likely situation is that he plays out his rookie contract (seattle, ok city, or wherever) and bolts to a franchise that has its stuff together.

... sadly, no one knows or cares about jeff green (yet). he isn't saving anything...

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by Ben Golliver on Mar 8, 2008 2:18 PM PST reply actions