RealGM

Stern's latest comments make it seem like the Sonics are out the door regardless of finding the extra $75 million:

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/basketball/355549_arena19.html

Coupled with the comments from Ron Simms and Gregoire about employing the "Cleveland strategy", is it time to swallow hard and turn our attention to Plan B? Does Seattle need a "come to God" moment, or is the fight still on?

Stern's just playing games.

Stern indicated to ESPN's Stephen A. Smith that Seattle's efforts are too late in the game and that if Mayor Greg Nickels had "done this a year ago, we wouldn't be having the conversation."

So Stern acknowledges that the current plan is beneficial. His only objection is that it comes too late. This makes no sense whatsoever. A good deal is a good deal, and you take it whenever it arises. Now it looks like Stern is more concerned with making Seattle's leadership look bad than with making money for the league.

That statement by Stern makes no sense. If Nickels did this a year ago we'd be in the exact same place today since there was no way Bennett was going to pony up the $150M that the Ballmer group did.

I wonder what the effect will be when the court's ruling on "specific use" chains the team to Seattle for two more years?

I think it's pretty obvious this is all about Stern's bruised ego. The one time he came here, holding hands with Bennett and demanding a half a billion dollar stadium be built really "hurt his feelings" when the legislature showed him the door.

That's sad and reading his recent comments that the city's efforts is all just a publicity stunt makes me wonder why I'm still a fan of the NBA.

Shaq:

"When I think of Seattle, I think of G.P., the Reign Man, Sikma, Lenny Wilkens," Shaq said. "The Oklahoma City Sonics? When my son asks me about that, I'll say there's no such thing."

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/moore/355735_moore20.html

^I heard him (or tried tounderstand him) say that on KJR this morning. Couldn't understand him. haha!