Sonics Offically In Limbo…And More News

Rookie Of The Year? Has No Home?

One thing I forgot to mention in my little preview of Today’s blog was the NBA voted 28-2 to approve the relocation of the Sonic from Seattle to Oklahoma City. But there is still a lot of legal issues to be sorted out based on the lease to Key Arena and a lot of over legal issues. I won’t even attempt to play lawyer on the Internet. Basically what it means is the Sonics are done in Seattle the only issue to be decided is when. If NBA gets what they want it will be as soon as next season. But it could take till 2010. A lot of people have expressed deep regret about this happening. But I feel that the people in charge in Seattle and at the State level made a choice and this is the result of that choice. I have much more sympathy for my friends on west coast of Canada that had the Grizzles taken from them. Oklahoma City will make a fine home to this franchise. They did a great job in being the temporary host of the Hornets and deserve this franchise. For those people I hope they get it sooner rather then later. I am sad at the loss of basketball tradition that the franchise has had. In the end Tax payers built or helped build a new football stadium for the Seahawks and a baseball stadium for the baseball team. The Sonics deserved the same kind of support and did not get it. This is a lesson to all people that voting in elections matters because these people make choices that can effect you. This is a example of that. So sure you can feel sorry for fans of the Sonics but if they did not vote or voted the current people into power they really can’t say much. The vote as stated above was 28-2 in favour of relocation. The two no votes are not shocking Dallas Owner Mark Cuban who seldom conforms to NBA wishes and Paul Allen of Portland who will lose his teams major rival.

 

Now let’s talk about someone who deserved everything he got. Isiah Thomas did such a horrible job in New York that I said a while ago that it was fitting he would be fired twice. The second axe fell on Thomas yesterday as he was let go from his coaching duties and is said to be staying on as an advisor. I actually think if that is on the level it isn’t a bad idea. Thomas was excellent in one area in his entire NBA management  career that started here in Toronto. I know hard to believe but it is true. Not that he started here but that he has an excellent skill. That skill is the draft he is great at finding players in the draft. Damon Stoudamire, Tracy McGrady, David Lee and Ronaldo Balkman are all solid selections made by Thomas. Marcus Camby too was a Thomas pick. I doubt this is the case though and this advisor role is just a way to give Thomas a paycheck to give him money left owed to him by his contract. New York Knick fans are just wondering what took so long to make this happen. I am in the same frame of mind. So it will be interesting who the Knicks new G.M and President Donnie Walsh brings in to replace Thomas. I wish whoever it is a lot of luck cause they will need it. Other jobs that are available if you are open if you care to send your resume would be in Chicago and Milwaukee. While 16 teams get ready for the playoffs other teams do their spring cleaning. Other coaches that might be in trouble are with the Sea/OC Sonics and Memphis. The days of coaches getting time is rare these days. Sam Mitchell was able to ride it out and get a new deal. Many coaches are not so fortunate as Sam.

 

Chris Bosh is upset and he is blogging about it. Steven A. Smith decided to rip on Bosh on ESPN and according to Bosh he got personal. Not having ESPN I am not sure exactly what Smith said but knowing the person we are talking about I don’t need too. He is a complete jerk and always has been. It is sad when people like him gain such a stage to present what they have to say. He is nothing more then a Tabloid Trash Journalist another one that is in that same ballpark is Peter Vesecy. He has being taking great glee in suggesting that Sam Mitchell may be let go in Toronto. Well if he is saying it that is bad news for all you Sam Mitchell haters cause it almost guarantees to me that Sam will be back next year. I honestly don’t see why he would not be. Next season will be important for Sam though if things do not go well in this playoff run. But back to Bosh. He seemed very upset about it and I can’t blame him. People as of late in media and fans are taking things way to far. Next time you want to run someone in the ground I ask you to do this. Ask yourself would I say this with this guys Mother standing in with in ear shoot of your words. If the answer is no then I encourage you to be quiet. I understand athletes make a lot of money. But they also do a lot of good especially a guy like Bosh. He help children for God sake how much more great can you get. What has Stephen A Smith done to help anyone other then annoy the hell out of a lot of people. There may be an answer to that. But it does not excuse the actions of Smith on a regular basis. If it helps Chris Bosh get motivated then it will be the first GOOD thing I have witnessed Mr. Smith do. But I don’t think I will be firing of a thank you email to him.

 

That is a nice transition into Raptors and Magic. I am very nervous about game one I am not sure if it is a good nervous or a bad nervous. Seems there is a common belief that Toronto can win this series. Not just Toronto writers and sports people but U.S media people. On the NBA TV playoff preview on of there in studio people is thinking same as me Raptors in 6. In Fact over at Toronto Raptors App on Facebook they also think Raps in 6 with almost half the votes of which at last count was well over 125. A decent sample size to prove I did not vote personally 20 times. In fact you can only vote once per account. It all has me on edge to be honest with you. I am normally pretty emotionless about everything based on knowing I am writing about it and try to keep a clear head. That isn’t to say I don’t write with emotion I just save it for when I do. I really think if I renamed the Raptors the Las Vegas Raptors and had no ties to them at all I would still feel the same way I do. Here are 5 reasons why I think that way:

 

• 1. Bosh has always out played Howard
• 2 Raptors had major injuries that had an adverse impact on their record
• 3 Point Guards are far better on the Toronto side
• 4 FT% and Low Turnovers both are advantages for Toronto and huge in playoff basketball
• 5 Orlando has no experience advantage over Toronto in fact argument can be made Toronto at least knows what it feels like to win a game in the Playoffs Magic don’t.

 

I am not nuts right these are all solid facts that point to the Raptors. So why are people who are taking the Magic saying they will win in like 4 or 5? You got me because these teams have always had great battles in the past couple years and have never had to many games that were not very competitive. Well we are one blog away from the game. Maybe I will be more in control tomorrow but I wouldn’t bet on it. If you are going out somewhere to enjoy the game please be safe as I can’t afford to lose any readers nor have you take away any potential readers. But seriously if you go drink and enjoy the game be safe and don’t drive. After all you want to live to see the day this team wins a championship right?

Tags: Bosh, Donnie Walsh, ESPN, Sonics, Stephen A Smith, Thomas, Thomas Draft Picks