Oklahoma City Thieves.

Well, a few days ago, it became official...the Seattle Supersonics have become the Oklahoma Thunder. (bunny clap). How nice for them.

All we have left now are those 41 years of memories...some good, some bad, some that'll live with me 'til the day I die...

Just thought I'd share some with you...

The Bad:

Number Five: Losing to the Bulls in six games. I honestly thought we'd take that series.
Number Four: Earvin "Magic" Johnson making a running 30 footer as time expired with Nate McMillan inside his jersey. You can't play better defense than Nate did on that play...everyone in the place knew who was going to get the last shot, and nearly as many knew he'd make it...he did. Sonics lost.
Number Three: The forced retirement of Bob Blackburn, the original voice of the Supersonics. His was the voice that made me love my sonics. Kevin Calabro is great, but it was never quite the same...
Number Two: Dekembe Mutumbo rollin' around on the Key Arena floor. First time in NBA history, a #8 seed beat a #1.
Number One (as you might imagine): The 'supes leaving Seattle and the NW for Oklahoma City.

The Good:

Number Five: With a losing record, advancing all the way to the Western Conference finals, in '93 (I think).
Number Four: Taking Micheal Jordan, Scottie Pippen, et al... to the limit, or nearly so. I remember reading somewhere that Jordan has said that was the toughest of the six championships that the Bulls took. A compliment, indeed...
Number Three: Womping on the Trailblazers whenever possible. Hey, it was fun...to this day, I dispise Bill Walton...
Number Two: Destroying the Washington Bullets for the franchises only championship banner...
Number One: Meeting a couple of those players, Center Jack Sikma, and Guard Fred Brown, on separate occaisions when I had business in Seattle. Classy gentlemen, the both of 'em. This was when I was still an NBA fan.

Ah me...great memories, even the bad ones. That at least, Bennet and his "Thunder" ownership group can't take away...go ahead, hang Fred Browns jersey in the rafters, or DJ's, or Jack Sikma's, or any of the others, gloat over the Championship trophy...you bought 'em, they're yours to do with as you please...don't expect kudo's from us up northwest way.

I can't get over how much this hurts...I love the Seahawk's, and the Mariners, I even have soft spot for the WNBA Storm, and the MSL Sounders who begin play next year will bring enjoyment to me. But the Sonics...good, bad, or blah...they were my boys, the dreams of my childhood, I still shoot freethrows exactly like Jack Sikma did. Bounce...bounce...twirl...drop down to armslength...deep breath...exhale half...pause...overhead release...and swish (or in my case *klang*).

Green and Gold. Thanks for memories I'll always cherish.

didn't I mention that? I never really cared for him either... He took a proud franchise, one of the best in the NBA and reduced it to a laughingstock...I still followed them, though. 'Cause as I said, they were my boys, through thick and thin.

Roper. I really hope they do well, and I suppose they will eventually...just don't expect me to join in the cheering.

...and watch your back, because I get the strangest feeling that as soon as the "new" has worn off, trouble is going to start.