Seattle SuperSonics
Seattle SuperSonics | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Professional Basketball Club LLC (Clay Bennett, Chairman) (2006–2008) | ||||
Championships | 1 (1979) | |||
Conference titles | 3 (1978, 1979, 1996) | |||
Division titles | 6 (1979, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2005) | |||
Retired numbers | 6 (1, 10, 19, 24, 32, 43) | |||
|
The Seattle SuperSonics (commonly known as the Sonics) were an American professional basketball team based in Seattle. The SuperSonics competed in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Western Division (1967–1970), and later as a member of the Western Conference's Pacific (1970–2004) and Northwest (2004–2008) divisions. After the 2007–08 season ended, the team relocated to Oklahoma City, where they now play as the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The SuperSonics played their home games at
The SuperSonics won the NBA championship in 1979. The franchise won Western Conference titles in 1978, 1979 and 1996; and six divisional titles—their last being in 2005—five in the Pacific Division and one in the Northwest Division. The franchise attained a 1,745–1,585 (.524) regular season win–loss record,[9] as well as a 107–110 (.493) playoff win–loss record during its time in Seattle.[citation needed] Both marks would rank in the top half of the NBA's all-time standings. Settlement terms of a lawsuit between the city of Seattle and Clay Bennett's ownership group stipulated SuperSonics' banners, trophies and retired jerseys remain in Seattle; the nickname, logo and color scheme are available to any subsequent NBA team that plays at KeyArena subject to NBA approval.[10] The SuperSonics' franchise history, however, would be shared with the Thunder.[11]
Franchise history
1966–1968: Team creation
On December 20, 1966, Los Angeles businessmen
The Seattle SuperSonics began play on October 13, 1967; they were coached by
1968–1974: The Lenny Wilkens era
Before the start of the next season, Hazzard was traded to the Atlanta Hawks for Lenny Wilkens, who brought a strong, all-around game to the SuperSonics, averaging 22.4 points, 8.2 assists and 6.2 rebounds per game for the SuperSonics in the 1968–69 season. Rule improved on his rookie statistics with 24.0 points per game and 11.5 rebounds per game. SuperSonics won only 30 games and Bianchi was replaced by Wilkens as player/coach during the off-season.
Wilkens and Rule both represented Seattle in the
Arrival of Spencer Haywood
Wilkens was named the 1971
For the 1972–73 season, Wilkens was traded to Cleveland Cavaliers in an unpopular move;[19] without his leadership, the SuperSonics fell to a 26–56 record. One of the highlights of the season was Haywood's second-consecutive All-NBA First Team selection;[20] he averaged a SuperSonics record 29.2 points per game and collected 12.9 rebounds per game.[21]
1974–1983: Postseason success and championship season
This section needs additional citations for verification. (August 2022) |
Russell left the SuperSonics after the
The 1979–80 season saw the SuperSonics finish second in the Pacific Division to the Los Angeles Lakers with a strong 56–26 record. That season, the SuperSonics set an NBA record with a regular season average attendance of 21,725 fans per game, a record that has since broken.[22] 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 the SuperSonics, Gus Williams and Dennis Johnson were 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 consecutive season but lost to the Lakers in five games.
It was the last time the backcourt of Williams and Johnson played together on the SuperSonics; Johnson was traded to Phoenix Suns before the start of the 1980–81 season and Williams missed 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, the only time they finished in last place. Williams returned for the 1981–82 season and the SuperSonics scored 52–30 and 48–34 records during the next two years.
In 1981, the SuperSonics created the Sonics SuperChannel, the first sports subscription cable service; subscriptions were available for $120 ($1.33 a game) but the service shut down after the 1984–85 season.[23][24]
1983–1989: A period of decline
In October 1983, original team owner Sam Schulman sold the SuperSonics to Barry Ackerley. In 1984, Fred Brown retired after playing 13 productive seasons with the SuperSonics; during this time, he had 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 contributions to the team, Brown's number was retired in 1986. Lenny Wilkens left the organization following the 1984–85 season and Jack Sikma, the last-remaining member of the SuperSonics' championship team aside from trainer Frank Furtado, was traded after the 1985–86 season.
Among the few SuperSonics highlights in the latter half of the 1980s were
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.
In the
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, forward Sam Perkins, guard Hersey Hawkins, and guard Nate McMillan, the team reached the 1996 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, longtime Sonic and defensive specialist 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
This section needs additional citations for verification. (August 2022) |
The 1998–99 season saw the SuperSonics struggle. Westphal was dismissed after the team started the 2000–01 season 6–9, and replaced on an interim basis by assistant coach Nate McMillan,[25][26] who was appointed permanent head coach in February 2001.[27] In the 2002–03 season, All-Star Payton was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks; that season marked the end to the SuperSonics' 11-year run of seasons with a winning percentage of at least .500, then the second-longest current run in the NBA.
The
On May 22, 2007, the SuperSonics were awarded the second pick in the 2007 NBA draft, equaling the highest draft position the team ever held, selecting Kevin Durant from the University of Texas. On June 28, the SuperSonics traded Ray Allen and the 35th pick of the second-round Glen Davis in the 2007 NBA draft to Boston Celtics for rights to the fifth pick; Jeff Green, Wally Szczerbiak and Delonte West. On July 11, the SuperSonics and 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 Phoenix Suns.[citation needed]
In 2007, 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 SuperSonics had received a franchise player with second-overall pick in the NBA draft with Durant. With the Ray Allen trade, however, the SuperSonics had little talent with which to surround their rookie forward and lost their first eight games under coach P. J. Carlesimo to achieve a 3–14 record in the first month of the season. Durant led all rookies in scoring at 20.3 ppg and won the Rookie of the Year award. The SuperSonics, however, posted a franchise-worst record of 20–62. It was their final season in Seattle because Bennett got the right to move the team after settling all legal issues with the city.[28] The Seattle SuperSonics played their last home game on April 13, 2008, winning 99–95 against Dallas Mavericks. Throughout the game, the crowd chanted "Save our Sonics" and Durant waved his hands at the crowd.[29] The last game they played was against Durant's future team, the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena three days later. Durant scored 42 points.[30]
Relocation to Oklahoma City
From 2001 to 2006,
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. I understand that people are going to say that seems to be a likely scenario, but that's just speculation.[31]
After failing to persuade local governments to fund a $500-million arena complex in the Seattle suburb Renton, Bennett's group notified the NBA it intended to move the team to Oklahoma City[32] and requested arbitration with the city of Seattle to be released from SuperSonics' lease of KeyArena.[33] The judge rejected the request and Seattle sued Bennett's group to enforce the lease that required the team to play at KeyArena until 2010.[34]
On April 18, 2008, NBA owners approved a potential SuperSonics' relocation to Oklahoma City in a 28–2 vote by the league's Board of Governors; only
On July 2, 2008, a settlement 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 awarded to the city, was reached. It was agreed the Oklahoma City team would not use the name "SuperSonics", and that the team's history would be shared between Oklahoma City and any future NBA team in Seattle.
In months prior to the settlement, Seattle publicly released email conversations that took place within Bennett's ownership group and alleged they indicated at least some members of the group wanted to move the team to Oklahoma City prior to the purchase in 2006. Before that, SuperSonics co-owner Aubrey McClendon told The Journal Record; "we didn't buy the team to keep it in Seattle; we hoped to come here", although Bennett denied knowledge of this.[38] Seattle used these incidents to argue the owners 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.[39] The NBA said Schultz's lawsuit was void because Schultz signed a release forbidding himself to sue Bennett's group but also said the proposal would have violated league ownership rules. Schultz dropped the case before the start of the 2008–09 season.[40]
In 2009, a group of Seattle filmmakers known as Seattle SuperSonics Historical Preservation Society produced a critically acclaimed documentary film titled
Possible new franchise
Sacramento Kings
In 2011, a group of investors led by hedge fund founder
Rumors Hansen would begin pursuing a vulnerable franchise to move to Seattle began circulating. Most of the discussion centered on
On May 16, 2012, after coming to agreement, McGinn, Constantine, and Hansen presented the proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to the public.[45]
King County Council voted to approve the MOU on July 30, 2012, adding amendments that provided for work with the Port of Seattle, securing the SuperSonics naming rights, offering reduced-price tickets, support for Seattle Storm WNBA franchise, and requiring an economic analysis.[46]
Hansen and Seattle City Council announced on September 11, 2012, a tentative agreement on a revised MOU that included the county council's amendments and new provisions; a personal guarantee from Hansen to cover cost overruns of construction of the new arena and make up any backfall for annual repayment of the city bonds issued.
In June 2012, it was revealed Hansen's investment partners included Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, and brothers Erik and Peter Nordstrom of fashion retailer Nordstrom, Inc. Peter Nordstrom had been a minority owner of SuperSonics under Howard Schultz's ownership. Wally Walker, former SuperSonics executive, was also later revealed to be part of Hansen's group. On January 9, 2013, media reports regarding the imminent sale of majority ownership of Sacramento Kings to Hansen, Ballmer, the Nordstroms, and Walker for $500 million to relocate to Seattle as early as the 2013–14 NBA season emerged.[50][51][52]
On January 20, 2013, several sources reported the Maloof family had agreed to sell Hansen and Ballmer's ownership group their 53% majority stake in the Kings franchise, pending approval of the NBA's Board of Governors.[53] The next day, the NBA, Hansen, and the Maloofs all released statements announcing the agreement, which also included the 12% minority stake of owner Robert Hernreich, and based the sale price on a team valuation of $525 million.[54][55][56]
Ahead of the annual Board of Governors meeting where they were expected to vote on approval of the sale of the Kings to Hansen and Ballmer's group, as well as the relocation request, members of the NBA owners' finance and relocation committees held a meeting in New York City on April 3, 2013, for the Seattle group and the Sacramento group to each present their proposals.[61]
With the meeting of the Board of Governors to vote moved again to mid-May, the groups were asked to make another brief presentation to the full relocation committee on April 29, 2013. The committee voted to recommend rejection of the relocation request to the full board.[62] When the Board of Governors finally convened in Dallas on May 15, 2013, they heard final presentations from both the Seattle and Sacramento groups. The BOG voted 22–8 against moving the Kings from Sacramento to Seattle.[63]
Though initially resistant to the idea, after negotiations, on May 17, 2013, the Maloof family and Hernreich formally agreed to sell their ownership stake in the Kings (65% of the team, valued at US$535 million) to Ranadivé's ownership group.[64]
Milwaukee Bucks
In September 2013, then-Deputy Commissioner
On April 16, 2014, it was announced owner Herb Kohl had agreed to sell the franchise to New York hedge-fund investors Marc Lasry and Wesley Edens for a record $550 million. The deal included provisions for contributions of $100 million each from Kohl and the new ownership group towards the construction of what would eventually be the new Fiserv Forum arena.[66] During sale discussions, it was revealed Hansen and Ballmer had expressed interest in purchasing the team for more than $600 million but had not made a formal offer, as Kohl only entertained offers keeping the team in Milwaukee.[67]
Atlanta Hawks
On January 2, 2015,
Future arena talks
On May 2, 2016, Seattle City Council voted 5–4 against vacating a section of Occidental Avenue South that connected property purchased by Hansen and was deemed critical to the siting of a future arena. The vote was seen as a significant delay to the MOU between Hansen, the city and King County that expired in November 2017.[72] On October 25, 2016, Chris Hansen announced he will fund the arena without public funding.[73] On November 14, 2016, then Seattle Seahawks' quarterback Russell Wilson announced he would be investing in the NBA arena effort.[74]
Arena renovations
While talks about building a new arena were underway, so were talks with another group of investors—including Tim Leiweke, co-founder of the Oak View Group—who wanted to renovate KeyArena, SuperSonics' former home venue. On December 4, 2017, one day after the deal with Chris Hansen expired, Seattle City Council voted 7–1 to approve the renovation of KeyArena.[75][76] The renovation was considered to mainly focus on fitting out Seattle Kraken for the National Hockey League (NHL), although interest for the revival of SuperSonics remained a possibility with the renovated arena. Hansen and his fellow investors felt having a future arena should be considered as a back-up plan for the future of SuperSonics, they would support the renovation by Oak View Group if the plan to acquire an NBA team was successful.[77] Renovations of KeyArena, which was renamed Climate Pledge Arena, began in 2018 and were completed by the beginning of the 2021–22 NBA and NHL seasons.[78]
Home arenas
- KeyArena (formerly Seattle Center Coliseum): 1967–1978, 1985–1994, 1995–2008
- Kingdome: 1978–1985
- Tacoma Dome: 1994–1995
The SuperSonics played at the
Uniforms
Seattle SuperSonics' first uniforms had "Sonics" displayed in a font that was also used by Cincinnati Royals (now the Sacramento Kings). The road jerseys were green and had yellow lettering; the home uniforms were white with green lettering. In 1995, SuperSonics changed their uniforms, adding red and orange, and removing yellow, to their new jerseys that would last six seasons. It displayed the team's new logo on the front and their alternative logo on the shorts. The home uniforms had green stripes on the right side of the jersey and shorts, and the green road jersey had red stripes.[citation needed]
The final SuperSonics uniforms were worn from the
Rivalries
The Seattle SuperSonics were traditional rivals of
The SuperSonics were rivals of the
Achievements and honors
Retired numbers
Seattle SuperSonics retired numbers | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
No. | Player | Position | Tenure | Date |
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 |
Bob Blackburn | Broadcaster | 1967–1992 | April 17, 1993 |
Notes:
- 1 Also head coach from 2000 to 2005.
- 2 Head coach during 1969–1972 and 1977–1985.
Basketball Hall of Famers
Seattle SuperSonics Hall of Famers | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Players | ||||
No. | Name | Position | Tenure | Inducted |
19 | Lenny Wilkens 1 | G | 1968–1972 | 1989 |
44 | David Thompson | F/G | 1982–1984 | 1996 |
33 | Patrick Ewing 2 | C | 2000–2001 | 2008 |
24 | Dennis Johnson 3 | G | 1976–1980 | 2010 |
2 20 |
Gary Payton | G | 1990–2003 | 2013 |
30 | Šarūnas Marčiulionis | G | 1994–1995 | 2014 |
24 | Spencer Haywood | F/C |
1970–1975 | 2015 |
34 | Ray Allen | G | 2003–2007 | 2018 |
43 | Jack Sikma 4 | C | 1977–1986 | 2019 |
44 | Paul Westphal 5 | G | 1980–1981 | 2019 |
Coaches | ||||
Name | Position | Tenure | Inducted | |
Lenny Wilkens 1 | Head coach | 1969–1972 1977–1985 |
1998 | |
Bill Russell 6 | Head coach | 1973–1977 | 2021 | |
George Karl | Head coach | 1992–1998 | 2022 | |
Contributors | ||||
Name | Position | Tenure | Inducted | |
44 | Rod Thorn | G |
1967–1971 | 2018 |
Rick Welts | Executive | 1969–1979 | 2018 |
Notes:
- 1 In total, Wilkens was inducted into the Hall of Fame three times – as player, as coach and as a member of the 1992 Olympic team.
- 2 In total, Ewing was inducted into the Hall of Fame twice – as player and as a member of the 1992 Olympic team.
- 3 Inducted posthumously.
- 4 Also served as assistant coach (2003–2007).
- 5 Also served as head coach (1998–2000).
- 6 In total, Russell was inducted into the Hall of Fame twice – as a player and as coach.
FIBA Hall of Famers
Seattle SuperSonics Hall of Famers | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Players | ||||
No. | Name | Position | Tenure | Inducted |
30 | Šarūnas Marčiulionis | G | 1994–1995 | 2015 |
11 | Detlef Schrempf | F |
1993–1999 | 2021 |
State of Washington Sports Hall of Fame
Individual awards
NBA Defensive Player of the Year
- Gary Payton – 1996
- Kevin Durant – 2008
- Dennis Johnson – 1979
- Zollie Volchok – 1983
- Bob Whitsitt – 1994
- Dale Ellis – 1987
J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award
- Slick Watts – 1976
- Hersey Hawkins – 1999
- Ray Allen – 2003
- Spencer Haywood – 1972, 1973
- Gus Williams – 1982
- Gary Payton – 1998, 2000
- Spencer Haywood – 1974, 1975
- Dennis Johnson – 1980
- Gus Williams – 1980
- Shawn Kemp – 1994, 1995, 1996
- Gary Payton – 1995, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2002
- Vin Baker – 1998
- Ray Allen – 2005
- Dale Ellis – 1989
- Gary Payton – 1994, 2001
- Detlef Schrempf – 1995
- Slick Watts – 1976
- Dennis Johnson – 1979, 1980
- Gary Payton – 1994–2002
- Lonnie Shelton – 1982
- Jack Sikma – 1982
- Danny Vranes – 1985
- Nate McMillan – 1994, 1995
- Bob Rule – 1968
- Al Tucker – 1968
- Art Harris – 1969
- Tom Burleson – 1975
- Jack Sikma – 1978
- Xavier McDaniel – 1986
- Derrick McKey – 1988
- Jeff Green – 2008
- Kevin Durant – 2008
- Gary Payton – 1991
- Desmond Mason – 2001
- Vladimir Radmanović – 2002
- Walt Hazzard – 1968
- Lenny Wilkens – 1969, 1970, 1971
- Bob Rule – 1969
- Spencer Haywood – 1972–1975
- Fred Brown – 1976
- Dennis Johnson – 1979, 1980
- Jack Sikma – 1979–1985
- Paul Westphal – 1981
- Lonnie Shelton – 1982
- Gus Williams – 1982, 1983
- David Thompson – 1983
- Tom Chambers – 1987
- Xavier McDaniel – 1988
- Dale Ellis – 1989
- Shawn Kemp – 1993–1997
- Gary Payton – 1994–1998, 2000–2003
- Detlef Schrempf – 1995, 1997
- Vin Baker – 1998
- Ray Allen – 2004–2007
- Rashard Lewis – 2005
NBA All-Star Game head coaches
- Lenny Wilkens – 1979, 1980
- George Karl – 1994, 1996, 1998
Staff
- Head coaches
Coaching history | ||||
Coach | Tenure | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Al Bianchi | 1967–1969 | |||
Lenny Wilkens | 1969–1972 | |||
Tom Nissalke | 1972–1973 | |||
Bucky Buckwalter | 1972–1973 | |||
Bill Russell | 1973–1977 | |||
Bob Hopkins | 1977 | |||
Lenny Wilkens | 1977–1985 | |||
Bernie Bickerstaff | 1985–1990 | |||
K. C. Jones | 1990–1992 | |||
Bob Kloppenburg | 1992 | |||
George Karl | 1992–1998 | |||
Paul Westphal | 1998–2000 | |||
Nate McMillan | 2000–2005 | |||
Bob Weiss | 2005 | |||
Bob Hill | 2006–2007 | |||
P. J. Carlesimo | 2007–2008 |
- General managers
GM history | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
GM | Tenure | |||
Don Richman | 1967–1968 | |||
Dick Vertlieb | 1968–1970 | |||
Bob Houbregs | 1970–1973 | |||
Bill Russell | 1973–1977 | |||
Zollie Volchok | 1977 (or 1978)[citation needed]–1983 | |||
Les Habegger | 1983–1985 | |||
Lenny Wilkens | 1985–1986 | |||
Bob Whitsitt | 1986–1994 | |||
Wally Walker | 1994–2001 | |||
Rick Sund | 2001–2007 | |||
Sam Presti | 2007–2008 |
Records and leaders
Franchise leaders
Points scored (regular season) (as of the end of the 2007–08 season)[87]
- Gary Payton (18,207)
- Fred Brown (14,018)
- Jack Sikma (12,258)
- Rashard Lewis (12,034)
- Shawn Kemp (10,148)
- Gus Williams (9,676)
- Dale Ellis (9,405)
- Xavier McDaniel (8,438)
- Spencer Haywood (8,131)
- Tom Chambers (8,028)
- Ray Allen (7,237)
- Detlef Schrempf (6,870)
- Dick Snyder (6,507)
- Derrick McKey (6,159)
- Lenny Wilkens (6,010)
- Bob Rule (5,646)
- Vin Baker (5,054)
- Sam Perkins (4,844)
- Nate McMillan (4,733)
- Dennis Johnson (4,590)
- Lonnie Shelton (4,460)
- Ricky Pierce (4,393)
- Brent Barry (4,107)
- Tom Meschery (4,050)
- Hersey Hawkins (3,798)
- Michael Cage (3,742)
- Eddie Johnson (3,714)
- John Johnson (3,608)
- Slick Watts (3,396)
- Al Wood (3,265)
Other Statistics (regular season) (as of the end of the 2007–08 season)[87]
Most minutes played | |
---|---|
Player | Minutes |
Gary Payton | 36,858 |
Jack Sikma | 24,707 |
Fred Brown | 24,422 |
Rashard Lewis | 20,921 |
Nate McMillan | 20,462 |
Most rebounds | |
---|---|
Player | Rebounds |
Jack Sikma | 7,729 |
Shawn Kemp | 5,978 |
Gary Payton | 4,240 |
Michael Cage | 3,975 |
Spencer Haywood | 3,954 |
Most assists | |
---|---|
Player | Assists |
Gary Payton | 7,384 |
Nate McMillan | 4,893 |
Fred Brown | 3,160 |
Gus Williams | 2,865 |
Lenny Wilkens | 2,777 |
Most steals | |
---|---|
Player | Steals |
Gary Payton | 2,107 |
Nate McMillan | 1,544 |
Fred Brown | 1,149 |
Gus Williams | 1,086 |
Slick Watts | 833 |
Most blocks | |
---|---|
Player | Blocks |
Shawn Kemp | 959 |
Jack Sikma | 705 |
Alton Lister | 500 |
Tom Burleson |
420 |
Derrick McKey | 375 |
Single-season and career leaders
Individual leaders
|
|
See also
- List of Seattle SuperSonics seasons
- Bob Blackburn (announcer)
- Kevin Calabro
- Wheedle
- Squatch
- Seattle SuperSonics relocation to Oklahoma City
- Sonicsgate
- Sonics Arena
- List of relocated National Basketball Association teams
Notes
References
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- ^ "NBA.com/Stats–Oklahoma City Thunder seasons". Stats.NBA.com. NBA Media Ventures, LLC. Retrieved December 2, 2022.
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- ^ a b "Basketball Club of Seattle Announces Sale of Sonics & Storm". SuperSonics.com. NBA Media Ventures, LLC. July 18, 2006. Archived from the original on July 19, 2006. Retrieved July 19, 2006.
- ^ "NBA Board of Governors Approves Sale of Sonics & Storm". SuperSonics.com. NBA Media Ventures, LLC. October 24, 2006. Archived from the original on November 8, 2006. Retrieved May 7, 2016.
- ^ Allen, Percy (October 24, 2006). "NBA board approves sale of Sonics, Storm". The Seattle Times. Retrieved October 24, 2006.
- ^ Brunner, Jim; Chan, Sharon Pian (July 2, 2008). "Sonics, city reach settlement". The Seattle Times. Retrieved July 2, 2008.
- ^ a b Aldridge, David (December 13, 2010). "Two years later, pain of losing Sonics still stings Seattle". NBA.com. NBA Media Ventures, LLC. Archived from the original on July 12, 2019. Retrieved May 7, 2015.
- ^ "NBA & ABA Team Index". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved May 27, 2022.
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- ^ "Details of settlement between Bennett, Seattle revealed". ESPN.com. August 20, 2008. Retrieved May 7, 2015.
- ^ "Seattle SuperSonics, Part 1". historylink.org.
Seattle's National Basketball Association team for 41 years, the SuperSonics were the city's first major league sports franchise and won a championship in 1979.
- ^ "Behind The Name – Sonics". OKCThunder.com. NBA Media Ventures, LLC. Retrieved December 31, 2015.
- ^ Andrieson, David (October 12, 2007). "Sonics ushered Seattle into the big time 40 years ago Saturday". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Retrieved December 31, 2015.
- ISBN 978-1-4165-4061-8, p.200
- ISBN 978-1-4165-4061-8, p.186
- ^ History in Headlines of the Sonics. Celebrity Services. 1979. p. 11.
- ^ "Haywood Of Sonics Out For Remainder of Season". The New York Times. March 10, 1972. Retrieved December 18, 2023.
- ^ Raley, Dan (November 1, 2005), "Where Are They Now? Butch Beard: Sonic turned coach", Seattle Post-Intelligencer
- ^ "Legends profile: Spencer Haywood". NBA.com. Retrieved December 18, 2023.
- ^ Brewer, Jerry (April 11, 2015). "Spencer Haywood: At last, the maverick is on the inside". The Seattle Times. Retrieved December 18, 2023.
- The Seattle Post-Intelligencer.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "RICK WELTS BIO". Suns.com. NBA Media Ventures, LLC. Retrieved June 30, 2015.
- ^ Peoples, John (November 19, 1993). "TV / Radio Notebook – Sonics, Four Others Tap Pay-Per-View". The Seattle Times. Retrieved January 29, 2019.
- ^ "PRO BASKETBALL; Westphal Is Fired by Sonics After Feuding With Players". The New York Times. November 28, 2000. Retrieved March 17, 2020.
- ^ Hughes, Frank (November 27, 2000). "Westphal firing was inevitable, but wrong". ESPN.com. Retrieved March 17, 2020.
- ^ "McMillan, Sonics Come To Terms". CBS News. February 28, 2001. Retrieved March 17, 2020.
- ^ "Seattle Supersonics (1967–2008)". Sportsecyclopedia.com. Retrieved July 20, 2012.
- ^ "Five years after 'gut wrenching' fight, Kings are going to Seattle – for one night only". The Sacramento Bee. Retrieved July 26, 2019.
- ^ "SuperSonics vs Warriors, April 16, 2008".
- ^ "Sonics, Storm sold to group from Oklahoma City – NBA – ESPN". ESPN.com. July 19, 2006. Retrieved July 20, 2012.
- ^ Johns, Greg (November 2, 2007). "Bennett says Sonics going to Oklahoma". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Retrieved November 15, 2007.
- ^ "Judge blocks Sonics from taking arena dispute to arbitration". ESPN. Associated Press. October 29, 2007. Retrieved October 30, 2007.
- ^ "City of Seattle v. Professional Basketball Club LLC", Justia.com October 9, 2007.
- ^ "NBA Board of Governors Approve Sonics Move to Oklahoma City Pending Resolution of Litigation". NBA.com. NBA Media Ventures, LLC. April 18, 2008. Retrieved April 19, 2008.
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External links
Media related to Seattle SuperSonics at Wikimedia Commons
- Official Site (February 2008) (Archived)