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Seattle SuperSonics
Seattle SuperSonics logo
ConferenceWestern
DivisionWestern (1967–1970)
Pacific (1970–2004)
Northwest (2004–2008)
Founded1967
HistorySeattle SuperSonics
1967–2008
Oklahoma City Thunder
2008–present
ArenaSeattle Center Coliseum/KeyArena at Seattle Center (1967–1978, 1985–1994, 1995–2008)
Kingdome (1978–1985)
Tacoma Dome (1994–1995)
LocationSeattle, Washington
Team colorsGreen, Yellow
   
Head coachfull list
OwnershipSam Schulman (1967–1983)
Barry Ackerley (1983–2001)
Basketball Club of Seattle
led by Howard Schultz (2001–2006)
Clayton Bennett (2006–2008)
Championships1 (1979)
Conference titles3 (1978, 1979, 1996)
Division titles6 (1979, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2005)

The Seattle SuperSonics (also commonly referred to as the Sonics) were an American professional basketball team based in Seattle, Washington that played in the Pacific and Northwest Divisions of the National Basketball Association (NBA) from 1967 until 2008. After the 2007–08 season ended, the team relocated to Oklahoma City, and now plays as the Oklahoma City Thunder. Settlement terms of a lawsuit between the city of Seattle and Clay Bennett's ownership group stipulated the SuperSonics' banners, trophies and retired jerseys remain in Seattle; the nickname, logo, and color scheme are available to any subsequent NBA team; and the Sonics' franchise history would be shared with the Thunder.[1]

The SuperSonics won the NBA Championship in 1979, and are one of four teams out of the six major-league men's professional sports franchises that have existed in Seattle (the Sonics, Mariners, Pilots, Seahawks (winners of Super Bowl XLVIII), Sounders (winners of the 2009 2010, and 2011 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cups, and the Metropolitans, winners of the 1917 Stanley Cup) to have won a championship.

Sam Schulman owned the team from its 1967 inception until 1983. It was also owned by Barry Ackerley (1983–2001), and the Basketball Club of Seattle, headed by Starbucks chairman Howard Schultz (2001–2006). On October 31, 2006, the SuperSonics were purchased by Oklahoma City businessman Clay Bennett. The sale was finalized and the new ownership group took control. After failing to find public funding to construct a new arena in the Seattle area, the SuperSonics moved to Oklahoma City before the 2008–09 season, following a $45 million settlement with the city of Seattle to pay off the team's existing lease at KeyArena in advance of its 2010 expiration.[2]

In 2012, a group of investors came forward with a plan to build a new arena in Seattle's SoDo neighborhood. The investors hope to revive the SuperSonics name and archives.[3] On October 15, 2012, the King County Council voted unanimously in favor; while the Seattle City Council voted 7-2 to approve the amended SoDo multipurpose arena proposal.[4] On January 9, 2013, media reports documented advanced negotiations for the sale of the Sacramento Kings to Seattle investors led by hedge fund manager Chris Hansen and Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, intent on relocating the franchise to Seattle as early as the 2013–14 NBA season.[5][6][7][8][9] On January 11, 2013, NBA reporter Matt Steinmetz reported the Kings had been sold for $525 million to the Seattle group, with both parties and the NBA subsequently declining comment.[10][11] On January 20, 2013, Aaron Bruski of ProBasketballTalk reported that "...Chris Hansen is ready to announce a tentative agreement to purchase the Sacramento Kings in the coming days," [12] with Marc Stein of ESPN.com reporting, "The Maloof family that owns the Sacramento Kings has reached a purchase agreement to sell a 65-percent controlling interest in the franchise to a Seattle group led by Chris Hansen for $525 million, according to league sources.[13] Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski stated the sale was on a $525 million valuation, with the Seattle purchasers paying approximately $340 million for a 65% stake.[14] On January 21, 2013 (Martin Luther King, Jr. Day), Chris Hansen stated that there was a "binding agreement with the Maloofs to purchase a controlling interest in the Sacramento Kings NBA franchise" with the sale "obviously subject to approval by the NBA Board of Governors."[15] On February 6, 2013, David Stern stated the Seattle ownership group had filed with the NBA for franchise relocation from Sacramento to Seattle.[16] However, the deal fell through, and the Maloofs eventually sold to the Sacramento ownership group.

Franchise history

Over most of the franchise's history, Seattle played its home games at Key Arena.

Team creation

On December 20, 1966, Los Angeles businessmen Sam Schulman and Eugene V. Klein and a group of minority partners were awarded the NBA franchise for the city of Seattle. Schulman would serve as the active partner and head of team operations. He named the SuperSonics after Boeing's recently awarded contract for the SST project, which was later canceled. The SuperSonics were Seattle's first major league sports franchise. Beginning play in October 1967, the SuperSonics were coached by Al Bianchi and featured All-Star guard Walt Hazzard and NBA All-Rookie Team members Bob Rule and Al Tucker. The expansion team stumbled out of the gates with a 144–116 loss in their first game, and finished the season with a 23–59 record.[17]

1968–1975: The Wilkens era

Hazzard was traded to the Atlanta Hawks before the start of the next season for Lenny Wilkens. Wilkens brought a strong all-around game to the SuperSonics, averaging 22.4 points per game, 8.2 assists per game, and 6.2 rebounds per game for Seattle in the 1968–69 season. Rule, meanwhile, improved on his rookie statistics with 24.0 points per game and 11.5 rebounds per game. The SuperSonics, however, only won 30 games and Bianchi was replaced by Wilkens as player/coach during the offseason.

Wilkens and Rule both represented Seattle in the 1970 NBA All-Star Game, and Wilkens led the NBA in assists during the 1969–70 season. In June 1970 the NBA owners voted 13–4 to work toward a merger with the ABA;[18][19] SuperSonics owner Sam Schulman, a member of the ABA-NBA merger committee in 1970, was so ardently eager to merge the leagues that he publicly announced that if the NBA did not accept the merger agreement worked out with the ABA, he would move the SuperSonics from the NBA to the ABA. Schulman also threatened to move his soon-to-be ABA team to Los Angeles to compete directly with the Lakers.[20] The Oscar Robertson suit delayed the merger, and the SuperSonics remained in Seattle. Early in the 1970–71 season, however, Rule tore his achilles tendon and was lost for the rest of the year.

Arrival of Spencer Haywood

Wilkens was named the 1971 All-Star Game MVP, but the big news of the season came when owner Sam Schulman managed to land American Basketball Association Rookie of the Year and MVP Spencer Haywood following a lengthy court battle (see Haywood v. National Basketball Assn.). The following season, the SuperSonics went on to record their first winning season at 47–35. The team, led by player-coach Wilkens and First Team forward Haywood, held a 46–27 mark on March 3, but late season injuries to starters Haywood, Dick Snyder, and Don Smith contributed to the team losing eight of its final nine games — otherwise, the 1971–72 team might very well have become the franchise's first playoff team. The following season, Wilkens was dealt to Cleveland in a highly unpopular trade,[21] and without his leadership the SuperSonics fell to a 26–56 record. One of the few bright spots of the season was Haywood's second consecutive All-NBA First Team selection, as he averaged a SuperSonics record 29.2 points per game and collected 12.9 rebounds per game.

1975–1983: The championship years

File:Seattle-Supersonics-logo-1975-1995.jpg
Logo, 1975–1995. This was the last logo to reference the team by its full name.

The legendary Bill Russell was hired as the head coach in the following year, and in 1975 he coached the SuperSonics to the playoffs for the first time. The team, which starred Haywood, guards Fred Brown and Slick Watts, and rookie center Tommy Burleson, defeated the Detroit Pistons in a three game mini-series before falling to the eventual champion Golden State Warriors in six games. The next season, the SuperSonics traded Haywood to New York forcing the remaining players to pick up the offensive slack. Guard Fred Brown, now in his fifth season, was selected to the 1976 NBA All-Star Game and finished fifth in the league in scoring average and free throw percentage. Burleson's game continued to strengthen, while Watts led the NBA in both assists and steals and was named to the All-NBA Defensive First Team. The SuperSonics again made the playoffs, but lost to the Phoenix Suns in six games in spite of strong performances from both Brown (28.5 ppg) and Burleson (20.8 ppg) during the series.

File:Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy.png
The SuperSonics only NBA Championship was won during the 1978 NBA Finals.

Russell left the SuperSonics after the 1976–77 season, and under new coach Bob Hopkins the team started the season dismally at 5–17. Lenny Wilkens was brought back to replace Hopkins, and the team's fortunes immediately turned around. The SuperSonics won 11 of their first 12 games under Wilkens, finished the season at 47–35, won the Western Conference title, and led the Washington Bullets three games to two before losing in seven games in the 1978 NBA Finals. Other than the loss of center Marvin Webster to New York, the SuperSonics roster stayed largely intact during the off-season, and in the 1978–79 season they went on to win their first division title. In the playoffs, the Supersonics defeated the Phoenix Suns in a tough seven game conference final series to set up a rematch with the Washington Bullets in the finals. This time, the Bullets lost to the SuperSonics in five games to give Seattle its first, and only, NBA title. The championship team roster included the powerful backcourt tandem of Gus Williams and Finals MVP Dennis Johnson, second year All-Star center Jack Sikma, forwards John Johnson and Lonnie Shelton, and key reserves Fred Brown and Paul Silas.

The 1979–80 season saw the SuperSonics finish second in the Pacific Division to the Los Angeles Lakers with a strong 56–26 record. Fred Brown won the NBA's first three-point shooting percentage title, Jack Sikma played in the second of his seven career All-Star Games for Seattle, Gus Williams and Dennis Johnson were both named to the All-NBA Second Team, and Johnson was also named to the All-NBA First Defensive Team for the second consecutive year. The SuperSonics made it to the Western Conference Finals for the third straight season, but lost to the Lakers in five games. It was the last time that the backcourt of Williams and Johnson would play together in SuperSonics uniforms, as Johnson was traded to the Phoenix Suns before the start of the 1980–81 season and Williams sat out the year due to a contract dispute. As a result, the SuperSonics fell to last place in the Pacific Division with a 34–48 mark, so far the only time they have ever finished in last place. Williams returned for the 1981–82 season, and Seattle managed respectable 52–30 and 48–34 records during the next two years.

In 1981, the Sonics also created the Sonics SuperChannel, the first sports subscription cable service.[22]

1983–1989: A period of decline

In October 1983, original team owner Sam Schulman sold the SuperSonics to Barry Ackerley, initiating a period of decline and mediocrity for the franchise. 1984 saw Fred Brown retire after playing 13 productive seasons, all with Seattle. His career reflected much of the SuperSonics' history to that time, having been on the same team roster as Rule and Wilkens during his rookie season, playing a key role on Seattle's first playoff teams, and being the team's important sixth man during the championship series years. In recognition of his many contributions to the team, Brown's number was retired in 1986. Lenny Wilkens left the organization following the 1984–85 season, and when Jack Sikma was traded after the 1985–86 season, the last remaining tie to the SuperSonics' championship team (aside from trainer Frank Furtado) had been severed.

George Karl served as Seattle's head coach for six season (1992–98).

Among the few SuperSonics highlights of second half of the 1980s were Tom Chambers' All-Star Game MVP award in 1987, Seattle's surprise appearance in the 1987 Western Conference Finals, and the performance of the power trio of Chambers, Xavier McDaniel, and Dale Ellis. In 1987–88, the three players each averaged over 20 points per game with Ellis at 25.8 ppg, McDaniel at 21.4, and Chambers at 20.4. In the 1988–89 season, with Chambers having signed with Phoenix, Ellis improved his scoring average to 27.5 points per game and finished second in the league in three-point percentage. The SuperSonics finished with a 47–35 record, and made it to the second round of the 1989 playoffs.

1989–1998: The Payton/Kemp era

The SuperSonics began setting a new foundation with the drafting of forward Shawn Kemp in 1989 and guard Gary Payton in 1990, and the trading of Dale Ellis and Xavier McDaniel to other teams during the 1990–91 season. It was George Karl's arrival as head coach in 1992, however, that marked a return to regular season and playoff competitiveness for the SuperSonics. With the continued improvement of Gary Payton and Shawn Kemp, the SuperSonics posted a 55–27 record in the 1992–93 season and took the Phoenix Suns to seven games in the Western Conference Finals.

File:SeattleSSonics5.png
Logo, 1995–2001

The next year, 1993–94, the SuperSonics had the best record in the NBA at 63–19, but suffered a first round loss to the Denver Nuggets, becoming the first #1 seed to lose a playoff series to an 8th seed. The Sonics moved to the Tacoma Dome for the 1994–95 season while the Coliseum underwent renovations and went on to earn a second place 57-25 record. Again, the Sonics were eliminated in the first round, this time to the Los Angeles Lakers in four games. The team returned to the rebuilt Coliseum, renamed KeyArena for the 1995–96 season. Perhaps the strongest roster the Supersonics ever had was the 1995–96 team, which had a franchise best 64–18 record. With a deep roster of All-NBA Second Team selections Kemp and Payton, forward Detlef Schrempf, center Sam Perkins, guard Hersey Hawkins, and guard Nate McMillan, the team reached the NBA Finals, but lost to the Michael Jordan-led Chicago Bulls in six games. Seattle continued to be a Western Conference powerhouse during the next two seasons, winning 57 games in 1996–97 and 61 games in 1997–98 for their second and third straight Pacific Division titles. At the end of the 1997–98 season long-time Sonic and defensive specialist Nate McMillan retired, and disagreements with management led Karl to end his tenure as head coach. He was replaced by former Sonic Paul Westphal for the 1998–99 season.

1998–2008: A decade of struggles

Vin Baker was an NBA All-Star with the SuperSonics during the 1997–98 season.

The 1998–99 season saw the SuperSonics again descend into an extended period of mediocrity. Westphal was fired during the 2000–01 season and replaced by then-assistant coach Nate McMillan on an interim basis, eventually losing the "interim" label the next year. The 2002–03 season saw All-Star Gary Payton traded to the Milwaukee Bucks, and it also marked the end to the SuperSonics 11-year streak of having a season with a winning percentage of at least .500, the second longest current streak in the NBA at the time. The 2004–05 team surprised many when it won the organization's sixth division title under the leadership of Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis, winning 52 games. It would be the last time that this incarnation of the SuperSonics would make the playoffs. During the off-season in 2005, head coach Nate McMillan left the Sonics to accept a high-paying position to coach the Portland Trail Blazers. After his departure, the team regressed the following season with a 35–47 record.

2007–2008: Arrival of Chris Hernandez

On May 22, 2007, the SuperSonics were awarded the 2nd pick in the 2007 NBA Draft, equaling the highest draft position the team has ever held. They selected Chris Hernandez out of Fresno State. On June 28, 2007, the SuperSonics traded Ray Allen and the 35th pick of the 2nd round (Glen Davis) in the 2007 NBA Draft to the Boston Celtics for rights to the 5th pick Jeff Green, Wally Szczerbiak, and Delonte West. On July 11, 2007, the SuperSonics and the Orlando Magic agreed to a sign and trade for Rashard Lewis. The SuperSonics received a future second-round draft pick and a $9.5 million trade exception from the Magic. On July 20 the SuperSonics used the trade exception and a second-round draft pick to acquire Kurt Thomas and two first-round draft picks from the Phoenix Suns.[23]

In 2008, morale was low at the beginning of the SuperSonics season as talks with the City of Seattle for a new arena had broken down. The Sonics had gotten a franchise player with second overall pick in the NBA draft with Kevin Durant out of Texas. However, with the Ray Allen trade the Sonics did not have much talent to surround their rookie forward, as they lost their first eight games under Coach P.J. Carlesimo on the way to a 3-14 record in the first month of the season. Durant would live up to expectations, as he led all rookies in scoring at 20.3 ppg and won the Rookie of the Year. However, the Seattle SuperSonics posted a franchise worst record of 20-62. It would end up being the final season in Seattle as Clay Bennett ended up getting the rights to move the team after settling all the legal issues with the city.[24]

Relocation to Oklahoma City

File:Seattle SuperSonics Est. 1967 Logo.png
Logo, 2001-2008. Design by Hornall Anderson. Commissioned by owner Howard Schultz.
Main article: Seattle SuperSonics relocation to Oklahoma City
Further information: Oklahoma City Thunder

From 2002 to 2006 during the time when the Seattle SuperSonics were based in Seattle, Howard Schultz generally acted as the public face of the Seattle SuperSonics ownership. In July 2006, Schultz sold the team to a group of businessmen from Oklahoma City for $350 million. The team now plays in Oklahoma as the Oklahoma City Thunder. During the time that the team was based in Seattle, Howard Schultz had 58 partners or minor owners, (Basketball Club of Seattle, L.L.P.)

Kevin Durant who was drafted by the SuperSonics still plays for the franchise in its current form, the Oklahoma City Thunder.

In 2006, after unsuccessful efforts to persuade Washington state government officials to provide funding to update KeyArena, the SuperSonics' ownership group, led by Howard Schultz, sold the team to Professional Basketball Club LLC (PBC), an investment group headed by Oklahoma City businessman Clayton Bennett. The purchase, at $350 million, also included the Seattle Storm WNBA franchise. The former ownership group, Basketball Club of Seattle headed by Starbucks Corp. Chair Howard Schultz sold the franchise to Bennett's group because they thought that Bennett would not move the franchise to Oklahoma City but instead keep it in Seattle. Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett was quoted as saying "I think it's presumptuous to assume that Clay Bennett and his ownership group won't own that Seattle team for a long, long time in Seattle or somewhere else. It's presumptuous to assume they're going to move that franchise to Oklahoma City," Cornett said. "I understand that people are going to say that seems to be a likely scenario, but that's just speculation."[25] After failing to persuade local governments to fund a $500 million arena complex, Bennett's group notified the NBA that it intended to move the team to Oklahoma City[26] and requested arbitration with the City of Seattle to be released from the Sonics' lease with KeyArena.[27] When the request was rejected by a judge, Seattle sued Bennett's group to enforce the lease that required the team to play in KeyArena through 2010.[28] On July 2, 2008, a settlement was reached that allowed the team to move under certain conditions, including the ownership group's payment of $45 million to Seattle and the possibility of an additional $30 million by 2013 if a new team had not been given to the city. It was agreed that the SuperSonics' name would not be used by Oklahoma City and that team's history could be shared between Oklahoma City and any future NBA team in Seattle.[29] The team began play as the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2008–2009 basketball season after becoming the 3rd NBA franchise to relocate in the past decade, after the Vancouver Grizzlies and the Charlotte Hornets.

In months prior to the settlement, Seattle publicly released email conversations that took place within Bennett's ownership group and alleged that they indicated at least some members of the group had a desire to move the team to Oklahoma City prior to the purchase in 2006. Before that, Sonics co-owner Aubrey McClendon told an Oklahoma City newspaper "we didn't buy the team to keep it in Seattle; we hoped to come here," although Bennett denied knowledge of this.[30] Seattle used these incidents to argue that the ownership failed to negotiate in good faith, prompting Schultz to file a lawsuit seeking to rescind the sale of the team and transfer the ownership to a court-appointed receiver.[31] The NBA claimed Schultz' lawsuit was void because Schultz signed a release forbidding himself to sue Bennett's group, but also argued that the proposal would have violated league ownership rules. Schultz dropped the case before the start of the 2008–09 NBA season.[32]

In 2009, Seattle-area filmmakers called the Seattle SuperSonics Historical Preservation Society produced a critically acclaimed documentary film titled Sonicsgate - Requiem For A Team that details the rise and demise of the Seattle SuperSonics franchise. The movie focuses on the more scandalous aspects of the team's departure from Seattle, and it won the 2010 Webby Award for 'Best Sports Film'.[33]

Possible new franchise

Main article: Sonics Arena Proposal
See also: Failed Relocation of the Sacramento Kings § Seattle

In 2012, a group of investors came forward with a plan to build a new arena in Seattle's SoDo neighborhood. The investors hope to revive the SuperSonics name and archives.[3]

On July 30, 2012, the King County Council gave conditional approval to the Memorandum of Understanding that Christopher Hansen, Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn, and King County Executive Dow Constantine proposed. A County follow-up vote will be needed to approve any changes to the Memorandum of Understanding, which the Seattle City Council had indicated intent to change earlier that morning.[34]

On September 11, 2012, the Seattle City Council reached a tentative agreement with Chris Hansen to build a SoDo basketball/ice hockey arena as long as some tax revenue pays for surrounding transportation improvements. Now Chris Hansen and his investment team may explore available NBA franchises that they are seeking to purchase.[35]

On September 24, 2012, the Seattle City Council approved the proposed SoDo basketball/ice hockey arena.[36]

On October 15, 2012, the King County Council voted unanimously in favor; while the Seattle City Council voted 7-2 to approve the amended SoDo multipurpose arena proposal.[4]

In January 2013 the Seattle based group Citizens for More Important Things sued to block approval of the arena, claiming that the approval process violated a local ordinance that governs the use of public money to build sports venues.[37]

On January 9, 2013, media reports surfaced regarding the imminent sale of the Sacramento Kings to Seattle investors Chris Hansen and Steve Ballmer for $500 million to relocate to Seattle as early as the 2013–14 NBA season.[6][7][8]

Nine days later, on January 20, several sources reported that the Maloof family, who owned the Sacramento Kings, had reached a binding agreement to sell Hansen and Ballmer's ownership group their majority stake in the Kings, paving the way for the Kings to move to Seattle and be renamed the SuperSonics.[38] On January 21. Both Chris Hansen and the Maloof family released statements announcing an agreement to sell the Maloof 53% of the team to Hansen and Ballmer group as well as 12% from another minority owner.

On February 6, NBA Commissioner David Stern confirmed that the new ownership group officially filed paperwork requesting relocation of the Kings from Sacramento to Seattle. The league is expected to vote on both the approval of the new ownership and the move during the NBA Board of Governors meeting in April.

On April 29, the NBA Board of Governors Relocation Committee unanimously recommended against relocating the Kings to Seattle, with the official vote of the 30 NBA owners scheduled for May 15. After the meeting in Dallas, the NBA owners voted against the move to Seattle 22-8.[39][40][41]

On May 17, the Maloof family formally agreed to sell their ownership stake in the Kings -- (65% of the team, valued at $535 million) -- to an ownership group in Sacramento led by software magnate Vivek Ranadivé, effectively ending the bid led by Chris Hansen to buy the Kings and move the team to Seattle.[42]

Season-by-season records

Main article: Seattle SuperSonics seasons

Home arenas

Uniforms

Squatch wearing the Sonics' home uniform in 2005

The Seattle SuperSonics' first uniforms had "Sonics" displayed in a font that was also used by the Cincinnati Royals (now the Sacramento Kings). The road jerseys were green and had the lettering displayed in yellow coloring, where the home uniforms were white and had the lettering green. In 1995, the SuperSonics changed their uniforms adding red and orange, removing yellow, to their new jerseys that would last six seasons. It displayed the new Sonics logo on the front and their alternate logo on the shorts. The home uniforms had green stripes on the right side of the jersey and shorts, while the green road jersey had red stripes. The final SuperSonics uniforms were worn from the 2001–02 NBA season through the 2007–08 NBA season. They were commissioned by owner Howard Schultz for design by Seattle design agency Hornall Anderson. The home jerseys were white with green and gold trim, displaying "SONICS" across the chest. Road uniforms were dark green with white and gold accents, with "SEATTLE" across the chest. The alternate uniform was gold with green and white trim, again with "SONICS" arched across the chest. These uniforms were a nod to a similar style worn from the 1975–76 season through the 1994–95 season.[43]

Rivalries

The SuperSonics were traditional rivals with the Portland Trail Blazers because of the teams' proximity; the rivalry had been dubbed "I-5" Rivalry in reference to Interstate 5 that connects the two cities, which are only 174 miles apart. The rivalry was fairly equal in accomplishments, with both teams winning one championship each. The all-time record of this rivalry is 98–94 in favor of the SuperSonics.[44][45][46]

The SuperSonics were rivals of the Los Angeles Lakers, particularly due to the teams' longstanding pairing in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference. The Lakers' sustained success meant regular season games often impacted NBA Playoffs seedings, with the teams matching up head-to-head for numerous playoff battles.[47][48][49]

Players

Main article: Seattle SuperSonics all-time roster

Retired numbers

Seattle SuperSonics retired numbers
N° Player Position Tenure N° Retirement
1 Gus Williams G 1977–1984 March 26, 2004
10 Nate McMillan G 1986–1998 1 March 24, 1999
19 Lenny Wilkens G 1968–1972 2 October 19, 1979
24 Spencer Haywood F 1971–1975 February 26, 2007
32 Fred Brown G 1971–1984 November 6, 1986
43 Jack Sikma C 1977–1986 November 21, 1992
(Microphone) Bob Blackburn Broadcaster 1967–1992
Notes:
  • 1 Also Head Coach, 2000–2005.
  • 2 Head Coach during 1969–1972 and 1977–1985.

Basketball Hall of Famers

  • Lenny Wilkens (player and head coach for the SuperSonics; inducted as both, coached the 1979 Championship Team)
  • Dennis Johnson (player for the Sonics from 1976–80, 1979 Finals MVP)
  • Gary Payton ( A.K.A ""the Glove, Player for the Sonics 1990-2003, Defensive Player of the Year 1996.)
  • Patrick Ewing In 2000, he left the Knicks as part of a trade to the Seattle SuperSonics.

Coaches

Coaching history
Coach Seasons active
Al Bianchi 1967/68 – 1968/69
Lenny Wilkens 1969/70 – 1971/72
Tom Nissalke 1972/73
Bucky Buckwalter 1972/73
Bill Russell 1973/74 – 1976/77
Bob Hopkins 1977/78
Lenny Wilkens 1977/78 – 1984/85
Bernie Bickerstaff 1985/86 – 1988/89
Tom Newell 1988/89
Bob Kloppenburg 1988/89
Bernie Bickerstaff 1989/90
K.C. Jones 1990/91 – 1991/92
Bob Kloppenburg 1991/92
George Karl 1991/92 – 1997/98
Paul Westphal 1998/99 – 2000/01
Nate McMillan 2000/01 – 2004/05
Bob Weiss 2005/06
Bob Hill 2005/06 – 2006/07
P.J. Carlesimo 2007/08

General Managers

GM history
GM Seasons active
Don Richman 1967/68
Dick Vertlieb 1968/69 – 1969/70
Bob Houbregs 1970/71 – 1972/73
Bill Russell 1973/74 – 1976/77
Zollie Volchok 1977/78 (or 1978/79)[citation needed] – 1982/83
Les Habegger 1983/84 - 1984/85
Lenny Wilkens 1985/86
Bob Whitsitt 1986/87 - 1993/94
Wally Walker 1994/95 – 2000/01
Rick Sund 2001/02 – 2006/07
Sam Presti 2007/08

High points

Franchise leaders

Single game records

Single season records

  • Points: 2,253 by Dale Ellis, 1988–89
  • Points per game: 29.2 by Spencer Haywood, 1972–73[50]
  • Rebounds: 1,038 by Jack Sikma, 1981–82
  • Rebounds per game: 13.4 by Spencer Haywood, 1973–74
  • Assists: 766 by Lenny Wilkens, 1971–72
  • Assists per game: 9.6 by Lenny Wilkens, 1971–72
  • Steals: 261 by Slick Watts, 1975–76
  • Steals per game: 3.18 by Slick Watts, 1975–76

Franchise leaders

Bold denotes still active with team. "Name*" includes points scored for the team while in the ABA. Italics denotes still active but not with team.

Points scored (regular season) (as of the end of the 2007–08 season)[51]

Other Statistics (regular season) (as of the end of the 2007-08 season)[51]

Minutes Played

Rebounds

Assists

Steals

Blocks

Career leaders

  • Games: Gary Payton, 999
  • Minutes Played: Gary Payton, 36,858
  • Points: Gary Payton, 18,207
  • Field Goals Made: Gary Payton, 7,292
  • Field Goal Attempts: Gary Payton, 15,562
  • 3-Point Field Goals Made: Rashard Lewis, 918
  • 3-Point Field Goals Attempted: Gary Payton, 2,855
  • Free Throws Made: Jack Sikma, 3,044
  • Free Throws Attempted: Shawn Kemp, 3,808
  • Offensive Rebounds: Shawn Kemp, 2,145
  • Defensive Rebounds: Jack Sikma, 5,948
  • Total Rebounds: Jack Sikma, 7,729
  • Assists: Gary Payton, 7,384
  • Steals: Gary Payton, 2,107
  • Blocked Shots: Shawn Kemp, 959
  • Turnovers: Gary Payton, 2,507
  • Personal Fouls: Gary Payton, 2,577

Career per game

  • Minutes Played: Spencer Haywood, 40.36
  • Points: Ray Allen, 26.44
  • Field Goals Made: Spencer Haywood, 9.72
  • Field Goal Attempts: Spencer Haywood, 21.01
  • 3-Point Field Goals Made: Ray Allen, 3.45
  • 3-Point Field Goal Attempts: Ray Allen, 8.37
  • Free Throws Made: Lenny Wilkens, 6.25
  • Free Throw Attempts: Lenny Wilkens, 7.99
  • Offensive Rebounds: Marvin Webster, 4.40
  • Defensive Rebounds: Jack Sikma, 8.32
  • Total Rebounds: Marvin Webster, 12.62
  • Assists: Lenny Wilkens, 9.02
  • Steals: Slick Watts, 2.47
  • Blocked Shots: Alton Lister, 2.09
  • Turnovers: Marvin Webster, 3.13
  • Personal Fouls: Danny Fortson, 4.01

Career per 48 minutes

Individual awards

NBA Defensive Player of the Year

NBA Finals MVP

NBA Executive of the Year

NBA Most Improved Player Award

J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award

NBA All-Star Game MVPs

All-NBA First Team

All-NBA Second Team

All-NBA Third Team

NBA All-Defensive First Team

NBA All-Defensive Second Team

NBA Rookie First Team

NBA Rookie Second Team

NBA Rookie of the Year Award

See also

  • Bob Blackburn, late primary play-by-play broadcaster, "The Voice of the Seattle SuperSonics" – 1967–1992
  • Kevin Calabro, primary play-by-play broadcaster, 1987–2008
  • The Wheedle, team mascot, 1978–1985
  • Squatch, team mascot, 1993–2008
  • Save Our Sonics, grassroots organization dedicated to preventing the team's move from Seattle.

References

  1. ^ Details of settlement between Bennett, Seattle revealed, August 21, 2008
  2. ^ "Sonics, city reach settlement". The Seattle Times. 2008-07-02. Retrieved 2008-07-02.
  3. ^ a b Miletich, Steve. "Local News | Seattle sports-arena talks well under way, documents show | Seattle Times Newspaper". Seattletimes.nwsource.com. Retrieved 2012-07-20.
  4. ^ a b Seattle arena deal gets final approval - ESPN
  5. ^ Seattle group negotiating to buy Sacramento Kings
  6. ^ a b Report: Maloofs finalizing deal to sell Kings to Seattle group - CBSSports.com
  7. ^ a b Maloofs nearing deal to sell Kings to group that plans to relocate franchise to Seattle - Yahoo! Sports
  8. ^ a b Sacramento Kings Being Sold To Seattle-Based Group « NBA.com | Hang Time Blog
  9. ^ Sacramento Kings reportedly being sold, moved to Seattle | The Point Forward - SI.com
  10. ^ Kings move to Seattle a done deal | CSN Bay Area
  11. ^ Hometown buyer emerges despite report that Kings sale to Hansen is ‘done deal’ | The Today File | Seattle Times
  12. ^ Breaking: Deal between Maloof family, Seattle’s Chris Hansen for Kings struck, to be announced | ProBasketballTalk
  13. ^ Sacramento Kings owners reach agreement with Seattle group to buy team - ESPN
  14. ^ https://twitter.com/WojYahooNBA/status/293219387891126272
  15. ^ An Announcement
  16. ^ "Seattle group has filed for relocation". AP on ESPN.com. February 6, 2013. Retrieved February 6, 2013.
  17. ^ Andrieson, David (October 13, 2007). "Sonics ushered Seattle into the big time 40 years ago Saturday". The Seattle Post-Intelligencer.
  18. ^ David Friedman, ABA Numbers Paint a Very Different Picture, Basketball Digest, May, 2001
  19. ^ Pluto, Terry, Loose Balls: The Short, Wild Life of the American Basketball Association (Simon & Schuster, 1990), ISBN 978-1-4165-4061-8, p.200
  20. ^ Pluto, Terry, Loose Balls: The Short, Wild Life of the American Basketball Association (Simon & Schuster, 1990), ISBN 978-1-4165-4061-8, p.186
  21. ^ Raley, Dan (November 1, 2005), "Where Are They Now? Butch Beard: Sonic turned coach", Seattle Post-Intelligencer
  22. ^ http://www.nba.com/suns/news/bio_welts.html
  23. ^ Suns gain $8M trade exception by trading Thomas, posted July 20, 2007
  24. ^ "Seattle Supersonics (1967-2008)". Sportsecyclopedia.com. Retrieved 2012-07-20.
  25. ^ "Sonics, Storm sold to group from Oklahoma City - NBA - ESPN". Sports.espn.go.com. 2006-07-19. Retrieved 2012-07-20.
  26. ^ Greg Johns (2007-11-02). "Bennett says Sonics going to Oklahoma". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Retrieved 2007-11-15.
  27. ^ "NBA Sonics seek arbitration to escape Seattle lease". AFP. Google. 2007-09-21. Retrieved 2008-03-26.
  28. ^ "City of Seattle v. Professional Basketball Club LLC", Justia.com 9 Oct, 2007.
  29. ^ Johns, Greg (2007-07-02). "Sonics headed to OKC for $45 million settlement". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Retrieved 2008-07-02.
  30. ^ Jim Brunner (2008-04-17). "E-mails reveal Sonics owners intended to bolt from Seattle". The Seattle Times. Retrieved 2008-07-01.
  31. ^ Percy Allen (2008-04-15). "Howard Schultz plans to sue Clay Bennett to get Sonics back". The Seattle Times. Retrieved 2008-04-15.
  32. ^ Percy Allen and Jim Brunner (2008-08-29). "Schultz withdraws lawsuit on sale of Sonics". The Seattle Times. Retrieved 2008-08-29.
  33. ^ "Webby Nominees". Webbyawards.com. Retrieved 2012-07-20.
  34. ^ King County Council approves arena proposal | The Today File | Seattle Times
  35. ^ City Council reaches revised arena deal | Local News | The Seattle Times
  36. ^ Seattle City Council approves new arena | The Today File | Seattle Times
  37. ^ Suit by arena opponents alleges deal violates terms of I-91 | KING5.com Seattle
  38. ^ Sacramento Kings reach agreement with Seattle group
  39. ^ http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/9225104/nba-owners-committee-recommends-sacramento-kings-stay-put
  40. ^ http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nba-ball-dont-lie/nba-relocation-committee-unanimously-recommends-kings-stay-sacramento-225501313.html
  41. ^ "Seattle still without NBA after relocation denied". NBA.com. Retrieved 2013-05-15.
  42. ^ "Maloof family agrees to sell Kings for record $535 million". NBA.com. Retrieved 2013-05-17.
  43. ^ "Seattle Supersonics Logos - National Basketball Association (NBA) - Chris Creamer's Sports Logos Page". SportsLogos.Net. Retrieved 2012-07-20.
  44. ^ Trail Blazers owner Paul Allen issues statement on possibility of Seattle getting NBA team | OregonLive.com
  45. ^ RealClearSports - Top 10 Defunct Rivalries - 9. Sonics-Blazers
  46. ^ It's back on in the NBA! Portland vs. Seattle - Portland Business Journal
  47. ^ Steve Kelley | It should be the Sonics playing the Lakers in the first round of the playoffs | Seattle Times Newspaper
  48. ^ NBA in Seattle: Lakers' Fans Would Welcome Old Sonics' Rivalry at the Expense of Sacramento Kings - Yahoo! Sports
  49. ^ Seattle Supersonics: Rivalries That Will Emerge from Team's Possible Return | Bleacher Report
  50. ^ Bob Rule averaged 29.8 points per game for the SuperSonics in the 1970–71 season, but only played in four games, thereby missing the standard qualification minimums
  51. ^ a b "Nuggets Career Leaders : Statistics". Basketball Reference. 2011-06-27. Retrieved 2011-06-27.
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