Forget nfl and mlb rumors, this one would be the granddaddy! Can you imagine if this were really true and not just wishful thinking on my part? The return of NBA basketball to the Pacific Northwest is closer to becoming reality than many imagined even as recently as a few months ago. In February of this year, it was announced that former Seattle native and current San Francisco-based hedge fund manager, Chris Hansen, made a two hundred ninety million dollar proposal to have a new arena built in Seattle. The new arena would have as its primary tenant, the NBA. The investor group said it was also courting an NHL franchise.
The demise of NBA basketball in Seattle was due mainly to a failed arena bid with the city, private investors, and the public unable to come to terms on an agreement. The 41 year history of Sonic’s basketball was washed away in a torrent of tears and it appeared that the Association would never be back. This was particularly upsetting to Pacific Northwesters as it was not long ago that Seattle’s neighbor to the north, Vancouver, lost their first ever NBA franchise as well.
I was a season ticket holder with the now defunct Vancouver Grizzlies and still remember the buzz surrounding the team. Even though the team went through the expected growing pains, the fan’s enthusiasm never waned, and the in game experience was something fresh and fun compared to, say, hockey. Too bad the string of dishonest owners and inept management heaped the ultimate insult on a very worthy, and saavy, basketball city like Vancouver. Many locals were happy to see what were perceived to be, immature millionaires, go south, but I knew I would sorely miss something more tangible, the incredible athleticism and personality of NBA players. There were, and still are to this day, many Vancouverites who believe their city can support an NBA franchise again, given the proper ownership group and management team naturally! However, if this is just fanciful thinking, it appears that a 4 hour drive down Interstate 5 would be just the ticket!
Nash is now 37 yrs old and though he has stated he doesn’t want to leave Phoenix, some wonder if playing closer to home may be at least a consideration. Perhaps Nash could even take a mentor role with Lin as he himself had been mentored by first, Kevin Johnson, then, Jason Kidd all those many years ago. Lin, would be a natural fit in Seattle because of his Cali roots but also his Asian heritage. Seattle’s Pacific rim proximity combined with China’s insatiable appetite for basketball could fill Lin’s boots just in endorsement deals! And so I offer the blockbuster trade that would see ‘Captain Canada’ Steve Nash come home, or, at least, be a 4 hour car ride away from home, to play with another West Coaster, Jeremy Lin, as the most intriguing backcourt deal in recent memory.
In related daily news headlines, “Online job applications for Seattle’s ballboy positions, primarily from Vancouver area submissions, shuts down team’s website!”
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