Tuesday, July 8, 2008

Brooklyn still hasn't recovered




Sucks to be Seattle. That was the first thought that came to mind when I heard the Sonics (or SuperSonics I don't care) were leaving the Emerald City for, of all places, Oklahoma City. Why leave the land of Starbucks, Grunge, and Frasier Crane for...see nothing comes to mind! (If you are from Oklahoma City I apologize) Everyone knows the real reason they did it: Money.

How much is tradition worth? OKC, although not a current powerhouse in the NBA, had a rich and successful legacy in the Pacific Northwest. They won an NBA tittle in '79 and such players as Xavier Mcdaniel, Shawn Kemp, and Gary Payton have donned the Sonic green. Not only that but the franchise has provided the city and it's fans with many memories that could last a lifetime. Now I understand we live in a Capitalist society and we are all free to make a dollar but how can you do so knowing that you are breaking a a city's heart? Would you be able to sleep knowing that family traditions have been lost? As cliche as it may sound, think of the children. Hopefully youngsters weren't close to the team or anything like that.

It made me think. What would I do if my beloved Dodgers left LA for Portland or some other city aching for a baseball franchise? I would probably hole up in some dingy hotel room near the Ravine drinking Jack and shedding an ungodly amount of tears. I felt like a raging alcoholic for thinking that but then I pictured Red Sox and Raider nation doing similar things if their franchise left town. Who knows maybe fans of The Predators or Twins would do the same. Imagine what Green Bay or Knick fans would do. So I pose the question to you what would you do?