I'm not an irrational person by nature. I typically have the calm demeanor of a left handed Scorpio. I've been watching sports for over 30 years, but none of my past experiences prepared me for what I went through last night as I watched the Oklahoma City Thunder reach the NBA finals. I knew it was a distinct possibility this day would come. The Thunder have a talented core of players and their window of opportunity is open right now. They have seized the moment and I for one couldn't be more upset about it. Why can't I just be happy for Kevin Durant and company?
BECAUSE IT'S NOT FAIR!!! I'M BITTER THE SONICS WERE TAKEN FROM MY CITY!!! I'M ANGRY I HAVE TO WATCH KEVIN DURANT FULFILL THE PROPHECY IN OKLAHOMA CITY!!! I'M DEPRESSED SEATTLE ISN'T BUZZING WITH CHAMPIONSHIP ASPIRATIONS!!! In short, the Oklahoma City Thunder reaching the NBA finals has me emotionally drained.
I hear people all the time make corny jokes(Reggie Miller last night)about the team being taken from Seattle, but as a 206 native I don't think that sh*t is funny. No other city has experienced the loss Seattle has. Certainly other sports franchises have relocated over stadium disputes, but this is different. THEY TOOK THE TEAM WHEN IT HAD KEVIN DURANT ON IT!!! What city has ever lost a team with a future hall of famer on the roster? What team has ever moved to a city with a SMALLER market?
I know it's not the player's fault and the people of Oklahoma City aren't personally responsible for what happened, but that doesn't make me feel any better. Sports fans are emotional and nothing makes a sports fan happier than when the hometown team is playing for a championship. That feeling has been taken away from me over politics, greed, and a shady oil man. People in Cleveland don't like Art Modell, people in Baltimore don't like the Irsay family, and I don't like Clay Bennett.
To make matters worse, the Thunder will be facing a geriatric Celtics bunch or a schizophrenic Miami Heat team. Either way you gotta like their chances. Am I alone in this mindset or do others feel the same?
Great post Cleavie. It's interesting to know how many Sonic fans feel right now. I know many old-timers here in Brooklyn NY who still feel your pain after all these years. Look at the bright side at least your not a Portland "With the #1 pick of the 2007 draft" Trail Blazer fan. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks bro. I watched the HBO documentary on the move to LA and one fan said after the move she never watched another baseball game. Funny you should mention the 07' draft. When Portland passed on Durant I was certain that was the decision that would get a new arena built in Seattle. You build new arenas for 19 year old superstar future hall of famers right?
DeleteWeI still have Gus Williams. Dennis Johnson. John Johnson. Lonnie shelton. And jack sikma. With Downtown Freddy Brown, Wally walker off the bench. And Lenny Wilkens threatening to suit up if need be.
ReplyDeletePaul Silas for cleanup duty.
@Little David: Thanks for the read. Gotta love those guys. Who knew how important they would become.
DeleteFormer co-worker of mines grew up in Seattle area and big fan of Supersonics, she stopped watching basketball shortly after OKC gained Seattle's NBA franchise. It's no coincidence how she shares the same sentiments as yourself. Far as the Finals, I'm sticking by preseason prediction of Miami over OKC, Wade winning MVP.
ReplyDeleteThunder are a very young and explosive team though. The series will extend the full 7 games, I believe.
@Don: Thanks for the read. Miami is the more talented team, but they are not mentally tough. In addition OKC has homecourt. For those two reasons I agree with you 100%. Miami in 7.
DeleteAbsolutely Cleavie. I never understood the politics at play that forced ownership to leave Seattle when the team already had 2 hall of fame-caliber players. Westbrook and Durant were already Sonics, it's not like they were drafted after the team moved.
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