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    Home » Thiel: Here’s what would make me watch Finals
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    Thiel: Here’s what would make me watch Finals

    Art ThielBy Art ThielJune 11, 201228 Comments4 Mins Read
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    Maybe Howard Schultz (right) had a "stroke moment" too. / Getty Images

    Confronted with the fact that there is nothing to be done about the SuperSonics’ remnant, the Oklahoma City Thunder, playing in the NBA Finals Tuesday against the unlikeable Miami Heat, we sports followers in Seattle are left to our imaginations.

    Our search for rationalizations to watch the Finals tends to drift to the dark side for outcomes less about basketball and more about justice. Like these:

    • The Securities and Exchange Commission before Game 2 brings charges against Aubrey McClendon, Thunder co-owner and CEO of Chesapeake Energy, for everything from securities fraud to failure to curb his dog. McClendon again pleads the “stroke moment” defense that was used when he told the truth publicly in 2007 about the Oklahomans’ plan to steal the Sonics. The SEC responds with an additional charge of contempt of proceedings, for using a knowingly false tactic that could work only in a meeting of the Seattle city council.
    • In the fashion of the Houston Astros’ ballpark once named Enron Field, the Thunder removes “Chesapeake Energy” from the Oklahoma City arena’s name.  In a hasty deal, the franchise signs another sponsor, Disney Co., for naming rights. Included is naming the arena after Disney’s fourth episode of the “Pirates of the Caribbean” film franchise. Besides renaming the building after the new episode, “Pirates of the Prairie,” the role of Capt. Jack Sparrow is played by Thunder GM Sam Presti. The role of half-man, half-marine beast, all-dead Davy Jones, is played by Clay Bennett.
    • During the Finals in Oklahoma, NBA Commissioner David Stern dumps over his motorcycle while riding on a remote prairie road. Aside from bruises and scratches, Stern is unhurt, and at first denies he had a passenger. Later, it is learned his passenger was Bennett. Investigators look at emails that first were disclosed in the 2008 lawsuit by the city of Seattle filed against the move of the Sonics. One from Bennett to Stern read in part: “I am concerned that you may feel I have betrayed your trust. David you know how I feel about our relationship both personally and professionally. You are among a very few, notwithstanding our relative brief actual physical time together that have significantly affected my life. I view you as a role model as an extraordinarily gifted executive, a deep and compassionate thinker, and a person with a rare and unique charisma that brings out the best in everyone you touch. You are just one of my favorite people on earth and I so cherish your relationship Sonics business aside.” Stern retires. Bennett explains to Mrs. Bennett that he wrote the email during “a stroke moment.”
    • Confused by the fact that there is a sports event their state besides spring Sooners football and fall Sooners football, fans fail to buy all the available tickets for Games 1 and 2 in Pirates Arena. Oklahoma State fans, seeing an opportunity, try to buy up tickets on Oklahoma City’s street, but are unable to make change for a dollar.
    • Before Game 3 in Miami, LeBron James says in a national TV interview with Jim Gray, with an audience of captive children in the background, how much he admires the toughness of Cuban dictator Fidel Castro, “although I don’t always agree with him.” The children jump James and Gray, shouting “Take your talents to Havana, a–hole!” and break James’ non-shooting arm, of which he has two in the fourth quarter. Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen, in the studio audience, intervenes to save James, but does not help Gray. Guillen wins back some followers.
    • Attorneys discover documents in meetings from the Sonics’ board of directors that show former Sonics owner Howard Schultz had a “stroke moment” when he cast his “yes” vote when he meant “no” in the 5-4 decision to sell the Sonics in 2006 to Bennett. A Washington State superior court judge grants an injunction to unwind the sale, agreeing that Schultz was incompetent at the time of the vote. The NBA is forced to move Game 7 of the Finals to Seattle and KeyArena, where a sellout crowd celebrates wildly as the Sonics’ Kevin Durant drains a 3-pointer at the buzzer to beat the Heat, 122-121. James’ roster replacement, Robert Swift, scores two points before fouling out.

    Not saying it’s going to work out exactly this way. Then again, in 1996, when the Sonics were last in the Finals, I wouldn’t have believed that “stroke moments” not only existed, but were contagious.

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    28 Comments

    1. maoling on June 11, 2012 6:14 pm

      Thanks for feeling our pain, Art. I view as a role model as an extraordinarily gifted write, a deep and compassionate thinker….

    2. maoling on June 11, 2012 5:14 pm

      Thanks for feeling our pain, Art. I view as a role model as an extraordinarily gifted write, a deep and compassionate thinker….

    3. maoling on June 11, 2012 6:19 pm

      Try that again…too long at the computer today:

      I view you as a role model as an extraordinarily gifted writer, a deep and compassionate thinker and a person with a rare and unique charisma that brings out the best in everyone you touch.

      • Artthiel on June 11, 2012 7:21 pm

         Why, what a flattering and original thought, maoling. I shall share it with the boys at at the OKayCee dude ranch.

    4. maoling on June 11, 2012 5:19 pm

      Try that again…too long at the computer today:

      I view you as a role model as an extraordinarily gifted writer, a deep and compassionate thinker and a person with a rare and unique charisma that brings out the best in everyone you touch.

      • Artthiel on June 11, 2012 6:21 pm

         Why, what a flattering and original thought, maoling. I shall share it with the boys at at the OKayCee dude ranch.

    5. maoling on June 11, 2012 7:45 pm

      Yes, that obsequious puppy-love smooch that Clayvid sent his bff stuck in my craw for a very long time. Seeing it again in your column brought back the bile.

      • Artthiel on June 12, 2012 8:50 am

         I thought that email was as smarmy as any bit of evidence in the trial. Didn’t want anyone to forget.

    6. maoling on June 11, 2012 6:45 pm

      Yes, that obsequious puppy-love smooch that Clayvid sent his bff stuck in my craw for a very long time. Seeing it again in your column brought back the bile.

      • Artthiel on June 12, 2012 7:50 am

         I thought that email was as smarmy as any bit of evidence in the trial. Didn’t want anyone to forget.

    7. Tim M. on June 11, 2012 9:26 pm

      I’m sure Gary Payton fits in there somewhere….

    8. disqus_aEA4p3zFXu on June 11, 2012 8:26 pm

      I’m sure Gary Payton fits in there somewhere….

    9. notaboomer on June 11, 2012 9:55 pm

      Dave Zirin: Why We Should All Root for the Miami Heat
      http://www.thenation.com/blog/168311/why-we-should-all-root-miami-heat

      • Artthiel on June 12, 2012 8:48 am

         Great read.

    10. notaboomer on June 11, 2012 8:55 pm

      Dave Zirin: Why We Should All Root for the Miami Heat
      http://www.thenation.com/blog/168311/why-we-should-all-root-miami-heat

      • Artthiel on June 12, 2012 7:48 am

         Great read.

    11. PokeyPuffy on June 11, 2012 11:09 pm

      nice! There is a special place in hell for Aubrey, Clay and Stern.

      In other news today it looks like we won’t get the memphis grizzlies :(, my only choice for a camera ready franchise to migrate here.  oh well!

       

      • Artthiel on June 12, 2012 8:48 am

         Sactown is still the No. 1 vulnerability. As I keep writing, the new CBA makes it easier for smaller markets to keep their teams. The pool is shrinking.

    12. PokeyPuffy on June 11, 2012 10:09 pm

      nice! There is a special place in hell for Aubrey, Clay and Stern.

      In other news today it looks like we won’t get the memphis grizzlies :(, my only choice for a camera ready franchise to migrate here.  oh well!

       

      • Artthiel on June 12, 2012 7:48 am

         Sactown is still the No. 1 vulnerability. As I keep writing, the new CBA makes it easier for smaller markets to keep their teams. The pool is shrinking.

    13. jafabian on June 12, 2012 12:36 am

      I’d watch the Finals if the Sonics Dance Team was performing.

       Have former Mariner pitcher Ryan Anderson start at center for the Thunder.

      They played the game in Fred Brown’s proposed retractable roof arena.

      Have former Sonics broadcaster David Locke call the game with former KJR radio personality Steve Sandmeyer.

      The Thunder agree to play the

      Have David Stern induct Spencer Haywood into the HOF at halftime of game one.  Oh, I would pay to watch that!  But when Spencer walks onto the floor of the Ford Arena he slips and falls on a puddle of water from a leak in the roof and he sues Clay Bennett for millions.

      Retire Gary Payton’s number as a Sonic.

      • Artthiel on June 12, 2012 8:46 am

         You didn’t mention paying to watch Danny Fortson sit. Many did pay, but even that is slightly more attractive that hearing Key Arena crickets.

    14. jafabian on June 11, 2012 11:36 pm

      I’d watch the Finals if the Sonics Dance Team was performing.

       Have former Mariner pitcher Ryan Anderson start at center for the Thunder.

      They played the game in Fred Brown’s proposed retractable roof arena.

      Have former Sonics broadcaster David Locke call the game with former KJR radio personality Steve Sandmeyer.

      The Thunder agree to play the

      Have David Stern induct Spencer Haywood into the HOF at halftime of game one.  Oh, I would pay to watch that!  But when Spencer walks onto the floor of the Ford Arena he slips and falls on a puddle of water from a leak in the roof and he sues Clay Bennett for millions.

      Retire Gary Payton’s number as a Sonic.

      • Artthiel on June 12, 2012 7:46 am

         You didn’t mention paying to watch Danny Fortson sit. Many did pay, but even that is slightly more attractive that hearing Key Arena crickets.

    15. Kelly B Peterson on June 12, 2012 12:37 am

      I always hope I wake up from this bad dream and OKC is granted another franchise and the Thunder/Sonics are moved back to Seattle for franchise continuity purposes. 

      • Artthiel on June 12, 2012 8:44 am

         It’s the nightmare that keeps on giving.

    16. Kelly B Peterson on June 11, 2012 11:37 pm

      I always hope I wake up from this bad dream and OKC is granted another franchise and the Thunder/Sonics are moved back to Seattle for franchise continuity purposes. 

      • Artthiel on June 12, 2012 7:44 am

         It’s the nightmare that keeps on giving.

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