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by: Chris Maynard
([email protected])
([email protected])
Rewatching the 1996 NBA Finals has made me long for the days of the Seattle SuperSonics being in the league.
Of course, Seattle relocated to Oklahoma City following the 2007-08 season, becoming the Thunder.
Why the NBA has yet to return to Seattle is a real shame as the Sonics were one of the coolest franchises around back in the day, in terms of presentation, competitiveness and credibility.
Consider the team's uniforms of the 1970s and 1980s, the mid-1990s and even the early/mid 2000s.
Of course, Seattle relocated to Oklahoma City following the 2007-08 season, becoming the Thunder.
Why the NBA has yet to return to Seattle is a real shame as the Sonics were one of the coolest franchises around back in the day, in terms of presentation, competitiveness and credibility.
Consider the team's uniforms of the 1970s and 1980s, the mid-1990s and even the early/mid 2000s.
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I remember getting a pair of the mid-90s Sonics' shorts in between my freshman and sophomore years of high school. How I wore out those Sonics' shorts during my sophomore basketball practices as my school's colors were green and gold.
Don't forget some of the amazing venues Seattle played at, including The Kingdome and Key Arena.
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Key Arena was rocking prior to Game Three of the 1996 NBA Finals during my rewatch yesterday.
Remember all of the great players who played for the Sonics. Here's my all-time starting five.
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Imagine filling out that team with players like Dennis Johnson, Gus Williams, Tom Chambers, Xavier McDaniel, Dale Ellis, Sam Perkins, Eddie Johnson, Paul Westphal, Detlef Schrempf, Hersey Hawkins, Paul Silas, etc., and having them coached by Lenny Wilkens, George Karl or even Bill Russell.
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Wilkens is the obvious choice as Karl would have half the team angry at him. Honestly, I didn't even know Russell coached the Sonics, thinking he was Head Coach of just the Boston Celtics and Sacramento Kings.
Recall some of the greatest nicknames in NBA history, courtesy of the Sonics.
 Downtown Freddie Brown |  The X-Man: Xavier McDaniel |  The Reign Man: Shawn Kemp |  The Glove: Gary Payton |
Personally, I am partial to The X-Man, Xavier McDaniel, because he still scares me to death this day.
How about some of Seattle's greatest teams?
 1978 NBA Finalist |  1979 NBA Champs |  1996 NBA Finalist |
The Bulls could have honestly played the Sonics in both the 1993 and 1996 NBA Finals!
In short, it's been too long for the NBA to be without a team in Seattle!
Make the jump to relive Seattle winning the 1979 NBA Finals in five games, avenging a seven-game loss to the Washington Bullets during the 1978 NBA Finals.
Make the jump to relive Seattle winning the 1979 NBA Finals in five games, avenging a seven-game loss to the Washington Bullets during the 1978 NBA Finals.
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