NBA returns to Seattle in the form of the Blazers

It turns out the NBA is returning to Seattle next season after all. There's twist to this basketball story, however.

The Sonics, the city's former team, will remain in Oklahoma City as the Thunder and the league will stage an exhibition Oct. 14 at KeyArena between the Sonics' former Northwest rivals, the Portland Trail Blazers, and the Phoenix Suns.

over 2 years ago blzrfan 32 comments 0 recs |

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That just seems like Stern throwing salt on the wound to me.

“Oh hey, we’re not giving you your team back, but here are the guys a few hours to the south, and they’re even better!”

All aboard the Kirkwagon!

by Arby on Jun 24, 2009 4:32 PM PDT reply actions

Poor Seattle

Why don’t they just write a song about it?

Dictated, not read. The management.

by Samsara on Jun 24, 2009 4:38 PM PDT up reply actions

lol and then they could go drink some coffee

stereotypes from the 90s are so funny

by ninjasocks on Jun 24, 2009 4:42 PM PDT up reply actions

This is pretty disgusting.

by staylost on Jun 24, 2009 4:35 PM PDT reply actions

pre-season game?

it better not be one season ticket holders have to pay for and are expected to drive to….

Brandon Roy, 'nuff said.

Best draft of all time: "1942, right after Pearl Harbor….everyone got drafted" --- 92wastheyear

by johnv59 on Jun 24, 2009 5:00 PM PDT reply actions

It says exhibition game October 14th.

So yes, that would be pre-season.

All aboard the Kirkwagon!

by Arby on Jun 24, 2009 5:28 PM PDT up reply actions

season ticket holders

are forced to buy official pre-season game tickets as part of their package – this better not be one of them

Brandon Roy, 'nuff said.

Best draft of all time: "1942, right after Pearl Harbor….everyone got drafted" --- 92wastheyear

by johnv59 on Jun 24, 2009 5:56 PM PDT up reply actions

doubtful

There is always at least one regional exhibition game each preseason. Usually it is down south in Oregon. I’m guessing this year it is in Seattle.

Season tickets holders only ever have to pay for games at the Rose Garden. If we wanted to drive up, we’d have to buy a separate ticket.

"...the primary focus of all obstacles is to induce labor, so progression can be born." - LiL C

by idoltime on Jun 24, 2009 6:43 PM PDT up reply actions

I was just worried

that they would consider the Seattle game a “home pre-season game” for PTB…. I remember the exhibition games all over the state, hopefully it’s just one of those!

Brandon Roy, 'nuff said.

Best draft of all time: "1942, right after Pearl Harbor….everyone got drafted" --- 92wastheyear

by johnv59 on Jun 24, 2009 7:25 PM PDT up reply actions

yes

I, like you, would be pretty pretty pissed if I had to drive up to Seattle to use a ticket I paid for!!

Every year, I hear from my ticket rep the day of the draft. So I may just confirm things with her to make sure that my assumption is correct.

"...the primary focus of all obstacles is to induce labor, so progression can be born." - LiL C

by idoltime on Jun 24, 2009 7:29 PM PDT up reply actions

who is your rep?

Mine is Brooke.

Brandon Roy, 'nuff said.

Best draft of all time: "1942, right after Pearl Harbor….everyone got drafted" --- 92wastheyear

by johnv59 on Jun 24, 2009 7:37 PM PDT up reply actions

plenty of tickets will be available

there’s no need to rush out and buy ’em

by two4larue on Jun 24, 2009 5:01 PM PDT reply actions

If I attend this slap in the face of a pre-season game, I won't be cheering on the Portland Trail Blazers.

I’ll have more important things on my mind, such as causing a ruckus that’d make the crazed fans in Europe wide-eyed in surprise.

Seriously, though, this has got the potential to delve into a full-on riot with angry people shouting obscenities in the stand, throwing stuff at players and officials, and even storming the court. The riotous mob that might show up at the Key Arena on October 14th could cause a fracas that’d make “The Malice at the Palace” pale in comparison.

by AK1984 on Jun 24, 2009 5:35 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs

To clarify things, I don't condone anyone attending this game to participate in anything illegal such ...

as going on a rampage by causing damage, starting fights, et cetera. Yet, the potential for such mayhem to happen is still there nonetheless.

by AK1984 on Jun 24, 2009 5:41 PM PDT up reply actions

Always good to get that legal disclaimer in before commencing with the mayhem.

by MiledAnimal on Jun 24, 2009 6:51 PM PDT up reply actions

Dont get it

You post a ton on this site but act like the blazers are the lakers in your eyes. To hoops fans in Seattle I would think this would be a breath of fresh air. Quality team showing some nw love. PS how could you possibly root for the OKC sonics………ouch!

I try to help with everything," Fernandez said. "If the coach says go rebound, I go rebound. I work for the team.

You get squeezing down to the exact things. Now it's not about fluff. It's down to deal points."

by Dragonage on Jun 24, 2009 11:02 PM PDT up reply actions

Blazers / Sonics were a real rivarly.

For some fans that’s hard to let go of and start rooting for the Blazers.

I don’t think AK meant it like that though. He would prefer making a scene (and rightfully so) rather than going to just watch hoops.

by Bskey on Jun 24, 2009 11:29 PM PDT up reply actions

Yeah, imagine the NBA took the Blazers away and gave them to Beverly Hills.

And then said, “OH LUCKY YOU, you can have the Jazz come play an exhibition game in the Rose Garden!”

Many would go to protest, and that protest would have little to do with the Jazz.

by staylost on Jun 25, 2009 2:42 AM PDT up reply actions

Neither Portland nor Los Angeles was Seattle's biggest NBA rival, for that dishonor goes to Utah.

In the meantime, though, the Trail Blazers are my surrogate NBA ballclub due to me be a bastard fan.

So, while I mean no disrespect to the Trail Blazers or even the Phoenix Suns, the whole concept of a NBA contest being played at Key Arena — even though it’s just a pre-season exhibition game — adds insult to injury by rubbing salt in the wound of the region’s franchise of 41 years relocating elsewhere.

As an anaolgy, it’d be like watching a sex tape of two hot porn stars after your one-time girlfriend went Lorena Bobbit on you and ran off with another guy somewhere in the Midwest.

by AK1984 on Jun 25, 2009 9:36 AM PDT up reply actions

I think its kinda cool

Portland has played exhibition games in Yakima and Spokane, Boise, it is the regions team now. I think there may be a suprisingly good turnout since the team has Roy and Webster on it.

I try to help with everything," Fernandez said. "If the coach says go rebound, I go rebound. I work for the team.

You get squeezing down to the exact things. Now it's not about fluff. It's down to deal points."

by Dragonage on Jun 24, 2009 5:36 PM PDT reply actions

and nate, mr sonic

by kengriffey on Jun 24, 2009 7:49 PM PDT up reply actions

I will drive up to Seattle for this.

Just to see the crowd. The question is, do I wear my Kemp jersey (Sonics) or not…?

by Bskey on Jun 24, 2009 7:35 PM PDT reply actions

YES!

by erastus25 on Jun 25, 2009 5:20 AM PDT up reply actions

i wish i was a lottery pick

this way i could punch david stern right in the face.

or at the very least not even acknowledge his existence when he tries to shake my hand

by kengriffey on Jun 24, 2009 7:49 PM PDT reply actions

hmmm.....

I wonder what would happen? I mean do you think nthe player would get banned from the league forever? suspended? would he try to break off an start a rebel basketball league? Would he never ever get a foul call? what would the team that drafted him do? I would really like to see this happen!

by kwestfan on Jun 24, 2009 9:44 PM PDT up reply actions

This game has to be a ghost town

Seattle fans got completely jacked on this one and I would hope Blazer fans would at least sympathize. If the league allowed the Blazers to be stolen and a season later allowed your greatest rival play on your home court to improve PR – that is just….

I mean it wasn’t like other teams that moved where they had lack of fan support. There were blogging boards just like this one that loved everything Sonics, watched the draft together, etc. and that community got torn asunder. I can’t believe Blaser fans would disrespect Seattle like that. It would be like a party on your gravestone.

The league should be ashamed. The fans should stay away out of respect for the dead and let a statement be made.

by Sonic Boom on Jun 24, 2009 10:10 PM PDT reply actions 2 recs

It must be a weird feeling for Roy.

…and Nate.

by staylost on Jun 25, 2009 2:48 AM PDT up reply actions

This is great for the Blazers

The way I read it, the league is encouraging the casual fans to start cheering for the Blazers. This could increase our fan base and increase Blazersedge as well. Go Portland.

"Knowledge will get you from A to B. Creativity will get you anywhere." Einstein

by Garden of ODEN on Jun 24, 2009 10:30 PM PDT reply actions