Republican gubernatorial candidate Dino Rossi was at the Sonics game against Sacramento Sunday night. Rossi reiterated his support for a proposed $300 KeyArena remodel. He also said he believes Gov. Chris Gregoire should call as special session to allow for state lawmakers to allocate $75 million to make the project whole.

“Normally I don’t support these types of things,” Rossi said, when asked about the proposal after the game. “But this was a very rare deal that was brought forward. You have four people who have stepped forward who really weren’t interested in owning a team. But they understand what it meant for the region.
“I’ve never seen a deal like this before, which is why I stepped up.”

The Sonics fall to 40 games below .500 with a loss to Sacramento on Sunday.

Seattle coach P.J. Carlesimo talks about the game here.

In The Oklahoman today, New Jersey Nets owner Lewis Katz talks about why Oklahoma City will succeed in its support of an NBA team.

This article in Thursday’s Memphis Commercial Appeal points out the Grizzlies’ local, minority ownership group owns only 5.8 percent of the team, which gives Majority owner Michael Heisley the ability to sell the team to another perspective owner – like the private investors in Seattle looking for an NBA team to play in KeyArena should the Sonics leave.

Heisley reportedly has already turned down a $300 million offer from the local group in Memphis to purchase the team. However, the Grizzlies have a long-term lease agreement to play in the FedEx Forum until 2016, and any potential owner of the Grizzlies would have to pay a hefty penalty for leaving, estimated at least $100 million.

The Grizzlies moved to Memphis from Vancouver in 2001, and are at the bottom of league attendance numbers.

Here’s some more analysis on the situation.

And here’s my story from today on NBA Commissioner David Stern’s latest comments, along with Former U.S. Senator Slade Gorton’s recent comments about the arena situation in Seattle.

From the Sonics today.

Seattle SuperSonics general manager Sam Presti announced today that forward Chris Wilcox will miss the remainder of the 2007-08 season with a dislocated PIP joint of the right little finger.

“After gathering all of the necessary information, the decision has been made to rest the injury and allow for the proper recuperation and rehabilitation to avoid further damage,” Presti said. “We are disappointed that we will be without Chris the remainder of the season but look forward to having him back healthy next year.”

Wilcox originally suffered the injury in the first quarter of the game at Phoenix on Jan. 3. He re-injured the finger in the first half of the Phoenix game a little over a week ago. Wilcox appeared in 62 games this season for the Sonics, averaging 13.4 points and 7.0 rebounds in 28.0 minutes per game.

Former U.S. Senator Slade Gorton was interviewed this morning by Mitch Levy of KJR and provided an update on the arena situation. You can listen to that here.

Most of the interview was just a rehash of what has been happening the past week, but Gorton, who's firm is representing the city in its court case against the Sonics, did reiterate that he believes the city has a very good chance of winning the court case in June, and that if and when the city and the private investment group puts together and presents its plan to revamp KeyArena, it will put more pressure on NBA owners and Stern to broker an agreement to make sure there's an NBA team in Seattle.

You might have missed it if you only read the sports section, but The News Tribune columnist Peter Callaghan presents his take on the Sonics situation here.

Here's the full transcript of the Tuesday's press conference in Oklahoma City that included Sonics chairman Clay Bennett, NBA Commissioner David Stern and Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett.

Opening Statements:

Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett: I’d personally like to thank Commissioner Stern, his NBA staff and the members of the Relocation Committee that came to Oklahoma City today and allowed us to give our presentation. We had a number of Oklahomans who were there, many of them as part of the presentation but also there in a support role.

=> Read more!

Here's the latest story from the Associated Press on the NBA relocation committee's visit

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Three NBA owners were impressed enough with a presentation Tuesday to believe Oklahoma City should be the future home for the Seattle SuperSonics.

To make his relocation request a reality, Sonics owner Clay Bennett now needs to win over at least 13 more of his peers.

After a tour of the Ford Center and a presentation from city and state officials, NBA commissioner David Stern said Tuesday a subcommittee of three NBA owners would suggest approval of the SuperSonics’ move by the rest of the league.

“We made important progress today,” Bennett said. “A lot more to be done, but a very important step. I think it was a very successful day and we look forward to the next step.”

Gov. Brad Henry, Oklahoma football coach Bob Stoops and numerous other representatives of the city, state and sports community came out to welcome Stern, New Jersey Nets owner Lewis Katz, Indiana Pacers owner Herb Simon and Los Angeles Lakers vice president Jeanie Buss as Oklahoma City brought out fancy cars and hard facts to woo its first major-league sports franchise.

“It was a pretty full presentation and pretty much a tour de force on behalf of Oklahoma that I’d say impressed the members of the committee greatly,” Stern said.

=> Read more!

No surprises here. After touring the Ford Center in Oklahoma City and meeting with civic leaders there the NBA relocation committee will recommend to the owners that they vote to allow for the move of the Sonics to Oklahoma City.

I'll have more later.

The Sonics had a light practice today, which included lifting weights, watching video and shooting.

Chris Wilcox will have a second doctor look at his finger tomorrow and probably will not play against Charlotte on Wednesday.

Earl Watson did go through today's light practice, and may play on Wednesday.

Francisco Elson appeared OK after playing for the first time since spraining right knee and missing five games, and should be ready to go on Wednesday.

Carlesimo talked after practice. You can listen to that conversation here.

Most of the team went to Rainier Beach High School to have lunch with students there and to present four, college-bound students with $2,500 scholarships each as part of the Dennis Johnson Memorial Scholarship fund.

Also, the campaign for Al Horford as Rookie of the Year continues, with Atlanta Hawks players lobbying for their teammate to win the award here.

I thought these comments by Atlanta rookie point guard Acie Law, who played against Kevin Durant when Durant was at Texas and Law was at Texas A & M were interesting.

Hawks rookie point guard Acie Law IV has ties to both candidates, giving him a unique perspective.

"Listen, Kevin Durant's a good friend of mine and a great player," Law said, "but for what Al contributes to our team, what he means to this team and how important he is to the resurgence of this franchise, I don't see how anybody but Al could win this award.

"Durant is having a great scoring year. But as far as making his teammates better and his team better, you just don't see that. With Al in the game, he makes it easier on all of our players. I think it's his award, hands down. It shouldn't even be close."

I still think Durant should and will win the Rookie of the Year award this season.

The "playoff bound" Hawks are 30-39, and if they were in the Western Conference would be 12th in the standings and on the outside looking in. The team's record also would be worse because they'd have to play teams like San Antonio, the Lakers, Phoenix, Houston and Dallas four times a year.

Atlanta is 12-17 against the Western Conference this season, and 9-26 on the road.

From the Associated Press this morning

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP -- City Council members unanimously approved a preliminary lease agreement with the Seattle SuperSonics Tuesday, hours before a planned
visit by NBA commissioner David Stern.

The 15-year deal, contingent on the team's relocation to Oklahoma City, calls for the SuperSonics to pay the city $1.6 million annually to use the Ford Center and another $409,000 per year to be able to re-sell the arena's naming rights.

Former Oklahoma state Rep. Wanda Jo Stapleton voiced concerns to the council that planned renovations to the Ford Center could exceed the $121 million in a sales tax extension approved by voters for this purpose.

Mayor Mick Cornett said the clear intent was to keep the project within budget.

The sales-tax extension is to also pay for the construction of an approximately $24 million practice facility.

Stern and four NBA team owners were expected to visit the city later Tuesday to gather information for a league vote next month on whether the Sonics can
relocate.

The Sonics' lease in Seattle runs through 2010, and a federal trial is scheduled for June to determine whether the team can break it.

Seattle signed veteran journeyman guard Eddie Gill to a 10-day contract. Gill is here and will be in uniform tonight.

Earl Watson (bruised calf) put up some shots during shootaround but will not play tonight. Chris Wilcox (sprained right pinkie) also will not play tonight. Wilcox went to a hand specialist to get his finger looked at, and will seek a second opinion in the near future.

Starters for Seattle tonight are Luke Ridnour, Kevin Durant, Jeff Green, Nick Collison and Johan Petro.

Probable starters for Portland are Steve Blake, Brandon Roy, Martell Webster, LaMarcus Aldridge and Joel Przybilla.

Expect to see Green play some power forward tonight, particularly when Travis Outlaw in in the game for Portland.

Security in KeyArena has been beefed up considerably with the rumor of a planned protest to take placed today.

Probably not a good idea for someone who has had a few adult beverages to stumble onto the floor tonight. The end result would not be good for that person.

P.J. Carlesimo

Earl Watson (bruised right calf) is a game-time decision, and is probably doubtful for tonight's game.

Francisco Elson (sprained right knee) went through drills at the shootaround and will probably be available tonight.

Kevin Durant was limping at the end of the Utah game and sprained both ankles, but should be available tonight.

Chris Wilcox will not play tonight. He’s seeing a hand specialist this afternoon to get another opinion on his sprained right pinkie.

Mickael Gelabale also will see a doctor to figure out a timetable for surgery to repair a torn ACL in his right knee.

Carlesimo said the Sonics will sign a point guard this afternoon, but wouldn’t say who that point guard will be. It will not be Mike Wilks, however, because the team already signed Wilks to two, 10-day contracts and would have to sign him for the rest of the year if they bring him back. But with Watson likely out and Gelabale unavailable the team needs another point guard.

“We’re kind of one injury away from needing a wing, or needing a big,” Carlesimo said. “Which is why we need the flexibility now for that 15th slot.”

Carlesimo did say Wilks could figure into Seattle’s future plans, either as a summer league invitee or training camp participant in the fall.

Carlesimo said Mouhamed Sene may see more time in the next couple weeks, although he said the team is comfortable in knowing what Sene can do after watching the 7-footer play in the D-League. Carlesimo said the team has evaluated young centers Sene and Johan Petro, but not Robert Swift because of the knee injuries he suffered this season.

“I don’t think it’s critical, but it would be a nice plus to be able to do it,” Carlesimo said about playing Sene. “I think No. 1, he’s earned it. And I think just secondly going forward it will help his development. It will tell him a little more, and it will tell us a little more about things to work on.”

The NBA relocation committee arrives in Oklahoma City on Tuesday to tour the Ford Center facility and the town.

Take a look at this article in the Wall Street Journal on the founders of hoopshype.com. NBA general managers, coaches, players, agents, reporters -- pretty much anybody involved in the NBA -- reads this site daily to pick up rumors or tidbits on what’s happening in and around the league. And the site is run by three guys in Spain. Read this excerpt.

After six years of anonymity, the architects of Hoopshype.com have come forward, and they turn out to be a surprising squad: three 29-year-old men working from their apartments in Spain. Collectively, they've been to two NBA games, although they watch on TV. One of them doesn't even like the sport.

How three Spaniards became the town criers of a major North American sports league is another reminder of how the Internet is helping displace traditional reporting with specialized sites and forums that feature a mix of rumors, news and opinion. "I like the fact that what I do has an impact on the NBA outside of my country," says Hoopshype founder Jorge Sierra

The Sonics will see a somewhat familiar face when they take on the Lakers in Los Angeles tonight. Los Angeles signed forward Ira Newble to a 10-day contract. Newble came to Seattle in a trade with Cleveland, then was waived a few days later to allow Newble a chance to pick up with a contending team.

And with Los Angeles experiencing a rash of injuries, it appears Newble has landed for the Lakers, at least for the time being.

The Sonics just announced the Mickael Gelabale suffered a torn ACL in his right knee during practice on Tuesday, an MRI revealed today, that will require reconstructive knee surgery.

If he has surgery, Gelabale likely will be out for an eight-to-nine month period.

Also Chris Wilcox re-injured his right pinkie finger and will be a game-time decision on Friday. Francisco Elson (sprained right knee) probably will not make the trip and Nick Collison also is banged up.

Mike Wilks came to the end of his second, 10-day contract and was not resigned, so Seattle coach P.J. Carlesimo said the team could pick up a swingman or or big man to help fill in for the injured players.

Also, expect to see Mouhamed Sene get some time on the road trip with the injuries.

Same starters for Seattle tonight: Earl Watson, Kevin Durant, Jeff Green, Chris Wilcox and Johan Petro.

Seattle coach P.J. Carlesimo said he considered starting Nick Collison in place of Petro, but was concerned Collison would get into early foul trouble against Shaquille O'Neal.

Starters for Phoenix are Steve Nash, Raja Bell, Grant Hill, Amare Stoudemire and O'Neal.

Carlesimo said he believes Mouhamed Sene is playing better since being recalled from the Idaho Stampede. However, because Sene still has not mastered Seattle's offensive and defensive sets, don't expect him to see a lot of meaningful minutes.

"I think he’s improved a lot," Carlesimo said. "If he just becomes a real effective rebounder with what he can do with shot blocking, that alone would make him a valuable player. Forget that he needs to score and all of that stuff. He wouldn’t have to score a point if he were an NBA rebounder and NBA shot blocker, he could make a living and make us a lot better just doing those two things."

Carlesimo said he would like to see Sene work on improving his rebounding skills when he goes back down to Idaho for the NBA Development League playoffs.

From the Associated Press today.

By JEFF LATZKE
AP Sports Writer
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) ‹ The operation and upkeep of a city-owned NBA practice
facility emerged Tuesday as the chief concern among members of the Oklahoma
City Council considering a preliminary lease agreement with the Seattle
SuperSonics.

Councilmen Sam Bowman and Pete White said the city should take into
consideration during its negotiations with the Sonics what would happen if
the practice facility needs upgrades in the near future.

Oklahoma City voters recently approved a sales-tax extension that would pay
for the construction of an approximately $24 million practice facility,
along with upgrades to the Ford Center arena. The lease agreement with
Sonics owner Clay Bennett calls for the team to pay $100,000 in annual rent
for the practice facility, but White questioned a clause that sets aside 20
percent of that to pay for maintenance.

"If you look down the road to where some kind of capital expenditure might
be mandated, that's not going to accumulate very much money in today's
market," White said. "In five years, that's $100,000, and $100,000 is not a
lot of money for a capital improvement on a $20 million project."

White said he didn't want to get into a position where funding for the
practice facility would come out of the city's general fund.
"My point is that we ought to be realistic about it because that's something
that will come back at some point in time," White said.

=> Read more!

According to The Oklahoman, the Sonics sent a letter of intent stating the lease terms they would like if the team moves to city's Ford Center next year.

Among the requests, the Sonics are seeking a total rent of $40,000 per game. The team would share in ticket and concession revenues, have parking set aside for it downtown and be able to renegotiate the naming rights of the arena.

Here's the letter of intent.

In Olympia on the last day of session, lawmakers sent another letter in support of the recent proposal to revamp KeyArena, but again would not commit to putting money into the project this session.

On the court, Seattle takes on Minnesota tonight, and Mouhamed Sene has been recalled from the Idaho Stampede.

BY ERIC D. WILLIAMS
eric.williams@thenewstribune.com
Boston – Undaunted by the state Legislature’s unwillingness to contribute money this session for a $300 million KeyArena upgrade, Seattle Deputy Mayor Tim Ceis said he and the private investors committed to the project will go back to the drawing board.
“We’re trying to take advantage of it,” Ceis said. “We still think that it has been a game-changing opportunity. I think there’s still some momentum behind it if we can be creative and take advantage of it, but I’m not certain how good our chances are of getting it done. But we’re going to give it our best shot.”
Four prominent, local businessmen who want to keep NBA basketball in Seattle, including Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, offered to pay for $150 million of the $300 million KeyArena renovation costs. The group asked the state to approve extending existing taxes to pay for $75 million of the project, with the other $75 million coming from the city of Seattle.
But the state has said no to the proposal for now, and the group issued an April 10 ultimatum, saying the offer will expire if he state does not agree to participate this session.
Although Gov. Chris Gregoire and state lawmakers did not commit the $75 million the city asked for this session, on Wednesday they wrote language into the 2008 supplemental capital budget creating a KeyArena task force that would look at all funding sources being used to pay for Safeco Field and Qwest Field, earmark a portion for the arts and then figure out how to divide the money up for projects like low-income housing, Puget Sound cleanup and education, along with funding for the KeyArena remodel.
Both the House and the Senate have agreed on the budget, and will rubber stamp it during the final day of the session today.
Until the Legislature can approve money for KeyArena next session, Rep. Ross Hunter, D-Medina, chairman of the House Finance Committee, said the city can put together the $75 million by using a combination of city taxing sources, including the city’s real estate excise tax, which Hunter said has come in over projections, and the city’s square-footage tax.
“We want a substantive conversation between Seattle, the county and the state about the complex array of taxes and financing around stadium packages and other important regional needs,” said Hunter. “Personally, I’m not sure if using public funds for a sports facility is the best use of tax dollars. At the same time, the Key is a public facility that can’t be left to deteriorate at tax-payer expense. If Seattle commits to funding their proposal now, it gives us the chance to consider the proposal along with other potential uses for regional revenue.”
However, Ceis said the city does not want to take money away from essential city services
“That would mean we would be taking money away from other city services like fire, police, libraries and parks, and I don’t think we’re prepared to do that,” Ceis said. “The restaurant tax and the car rental tax was something that didn’t put us in competition with other basic services, and that’s why we thought it worked out so well.”
Ceis also is frustrated with what he views as the state’s inaction, but will soldier on and continue to try and put together a proposal before NBA owners consider Sonics chairman Clay Bennett’s application to move the team to Oklahoma City April 17-18 in New York.
“We’re never going to say it’s too late,” Ceis said. “But it’s definitely too late for the timeline we have in terms of the (NBA) Board of Governors meeting in April, and the trial date in June. Events may overtake any ability we have to have a viable proposal next year. And again they may change and go a different direction, so you never know.
“But right now with the timeline they have for next year is about 12 months too late.”

Same starters for Seattle, with Earl Watson, Kevin Durant, Jeff Green, Chris Wilcox and Johan Petro.

For Indiana, Travis Diener, Mike Dunleavy, Troy Murphy, Danny Granger and Jeff Foster.

Seattle signed Mike Wilks to a second 10-day contract today, which means he'll be with the team at least until March 20. Wilks has only appeared in one game for Seattle, but said he's getting more comfortable with the system and looking forward to proving himself worthy of an invite to Sonics camp next season.

Listen to the Wilks conversation here.

Time Magazine is interviewing NBA Commissioner David Stern, and seeking reader input on what questions to ask. You can submit questions through this blog forum here.

ESPN's Bill Simmons was on with KJR's Dave "Softy" Mahler on Monday. Simmons has been a big supporter of the Save or Sonics effort, and offers an interesting take on the situation. Listen to the interview here.

The Seattle Weekly's Damon Agnos and Reidster Reid parody the NBA's slogan "Where Amazing Happens" in this YouTube clip.

BY ERIC D. WILLIAMS
Eric.williams@thenewstribune.com

Indianapolis – A private investor group who have put up the lion’s share of a $300 million proposal to refurbish KeyArena say the clock is ticking on their offer to fund a new facility for the Seattle SuperSonics at Seattle Center.

In a letter addressed to Gov. Christine Gregoire and other top state lawmakers on Sunday, the investment group, headed by Microsoft executive Steve Ballmer, states that if they do not receive a $75 commitment from the state well before an April 10th deadline, “We will need to go back to our other responsibilities and our offer will expire.”

The group of four local businessmen includes Ballmer, local developer Matt Griffin, Costco CEO Jim Sinegal and wireless magnate John Stanton. The group partnered with the City of Seattle, and announced in a proposal last Thursday its willingness to buy the Sonics from its Oklahoma City-based ownership group, paying for half of a $300 million renovation of KeyArena.
The offer is contingent on the sale of the Sonics or another NBA team to the group and passage of legislation by state lawmakers. It’s the largest offer of private money to renovate the arena at Seattle Center so far.
However, Gregoire and the Legislature balked at addressing the issue this late in this year’s legislative session.

=> Read more!

Only two months after negotiating a new lease agreement with the state of Louisiana, Hornets owner George Shinn is at it again, seeking a 10-year commitment that would lock his team in the market for the next decade.

Shinn said a long-term commitment to the market would help his franchise sell season tickets.

And if you’re thinking about the Memphis Grizzlies replacing the Sonics if they leave city, think again. The Grizzlies appear to have a pretty tight lease that locks them into the FedExForum for another 10 years.

Looks like Johan Petro will remain in the starting lineup, which means the Sonics will go with Earl Watson, Kevin Durant, Jeff Green, Chris Wilcox and Petro.

Starters for Toronto are Jose Calderon, Anthony Parker, Jamario Moon, Andrea Bargnani and Rasho Nesterovic.

Watson has been playing well of late, as noted in my story today. He also talked about the adjustment period he had to make early this season in this conversation I had with him.

Toronto All-Star Chris Bosh is out with a sore right knee he injured against Indiana on Feb. 29. The Raptors are 1-3 without Bosh in the lineup. Bosh is the team's leading scorer (22.6 ppg.) and rebounder (8.9 rpg.).

This could be a good matchup for Nick Collison, who finished with 10 points and 10 rebounds in Seattle’s 123-115 win over the Raptors in Seattle. The Sonics shot 58.8 percent against Toronto in that game, making 10-of-17 shots from beyond the arc.

After Friday’s stinker against Philadelphia Friday Collison said it’s important for the Sonics to play better against the Raptors.

“I think everybody is kind of upset by yesterday, and embarrassed a little bit, Collison said. “I expect us to play much better tomorrow, and with more energy, and compete harder. And that’s all we can ask of our team, is to compete and give us a chance to hopefully get a win.”

“For our day-to-day lives, we don’t want to be miserable these 20 games. You feel a lot better when you’re playing well and winning. A game like last night, you know if you get into a habit of playing like that, 20 games can seem like two years. So hopefully we’ll turn it around and be competitive the rest of the way.”

Listen to the full conversation with Collison here.

In each city we’ve been to on this trip, Seattle rookie Kevin Durant has been asked about the critics that have said he hasn’t lived up to the expectations heaped upon him this season. In particular, folks in the media have asked Durant about former NBA All-Star and current TNT broadcaster Charles Barkley’s comments that Durant is one dimensional, and that he favors Atlanta’s Al Horford for Rookie of the Year honors.

I think it’s safe to say Durant has had enough of the Charles Barkley questions, after this response to that question after practice in Toronto on Saturday afternoon by Tony Ambrogio, a reporter with the The Score Television Network here in Toronto.

“To be honest with you I really don’t care about Charles Barkley, you know,” Durant said. “He has nothing to do with me. He’s not a player, I mean a person I got to look up to or anything like that.

“You know, I’m not playing for him. I’m playing for the guys on my team. I just got to play my game and don’t worry about what guys like him say, and just play through it. I know myself I’m not one dimensional, so you know I just play through it and get better as time goes on.

“I don’t worry about the Charles Barkley’s, you know, the critics or the media. I just play my game and listen to the guys that are in this organization and get better.”

By Gail Wood
The Olympian

OLYMPIA — On Steve Pyeatt’s eighth birthday, he got a surprise gift.
His father gave him 100 shares of Seattle SuperSonics. His family has been season ticket holders since the Sonics arrived in 1967.

“I got to go to opening night, and we’ll not go to the last night here,” Pyeatt said.

On Saturday, about 300 Sonics fans wearing team T-shirts, caps and jackets stood on the Capitol steps as part of a “Save Our Sonics” rally. Sonics owner Clay Bennett has received approval from the NBA to move the 41-year-old franchise to Oklahoma City.

Bennett has offered the city of Seattle $26 million to buy out the remaining two years of the lease with KeyArena to move the team next season. Since an Oklahoma City-based group bought the Sonics in July 2006, Bennett has said he’d move the team if a new arena wasn’t built, and no progress was made.

However, this week, a private business group from Seattle offered to pay half the cost of a $300 million KeyArena renovation to try to keep the team in Seattle. State legislators have been asked to approve the deal before the session ends Thursday.

To show their support for the Sonics, Pyeatt and Brian Robinson coordinated Saturday’s rally at the last minute. They called for a rally Friday.

“I didn’t know if we’d come here and there’d be 25 people,” Pyeatt said. “This is great. This is a huge statement.”

The Sonic fans moved their rally from the steps of the Capitol to the legislative session and sat quietly.

“This is a powerful statement just by being here,” Pyeatt told the Sonics fans. “We don’t even have to say anything.”

State legislators are being asked to approve of a King County user’s tax that would raise $75 million. Last year, Bennett asked the state for $400 million to pay for a new arena and the legislators didn’t budge.

“This is a no-brainer,” said John Ostlund, a Tumwater resident and a longtime Sonics fan. “There’s nothing to figure. This has to be done now.”

Pyeatt said the legislators have been hiding under a “cover of apathy” and what he called “a perceived opposition” to build an arena with tax money.

“We showed them here today that there’s support for this,” Pyeatt said. “They were put into office by these people, and they can removed from office by these people. We need to remind them of that.”

Pyeatt said there’s a lot of “misformation” being spread about the Sonics arena issue.

“There’s not one dollar coming from (outside) of King County,” he said. “When you’re an elected official and someone tells you I’m going to give you $150 million to match your $75 million, you don’t get that kind deal down here.”

Ostlund has been going to Sonics games with his dad since he was little.

“There’s nothing like going to a Sonic game with your dad,” Ostlund said. “This is our team. They need to stay in Seattle.”

Adam Normoyle of Olympia called the governor’s office Friday to show his support for the Sonics arena issue, and he showed up for the rally Saturday.

“We don’t want to the Sonics to go,” Normoyle said. “They’re our team.”

Supporter of the Sonics staying in Seattle will hold a rally in Olympia this morning at the Legislative building, from 10 to 11 a.m. Click here for more info.

Also, Gary Payton, Shawn Kemp and George Karl were on the Best Damn Sports Show talking about their run during the 1990s.

I'll have more on the Sonics struggles on the court later after I check out practice in snowy Toronto.

There is more private money. There are local investors. There are no tax hikes.

There just might not be enough time to keep the SuperSonics in Seattle.

A group of four local businessmen announced a proposal Thursday to buy the basketball team from its Oklahoma City-based ownership group and pay for half of a $300 million renovation of KeyArena.

The offer is contingent on the sale of the Sonics or another NBA team to the group and passage of legislation by state lawmakers. It’s the largest offer of private money to renovate the arena at Seattle Center thus far.

=> Read more!

Matt Griffin, a Seattle developer and one of the private investors involved in the proposal to revamp KeyArena, spoke with Mitch Levy of KJR this morning.

Here's some info on Griffin. And here's his company's Web Site, Pine Street Group.

The City of Seattle will formally announce its intentions to rebuild KeyArena this afternoon at 3:30 p.m. in Mayor Greg Nickels' office.

The press conference I'm told will include a representative of the private investment group that has stepped forward and is willing to invest $150 million into a $300 million remodel. The other $150 million, according to several reports, will come from a $75 million chunk from the city, and a sought-after $75 million in state funds from an already existing tax.

I'll have more details this afternoon once the press conference concludes, along with reaction from state lawmakers, the NBA and the Sonics ownership group.

After two pretty good efforts Seattle struggles against a short-handed Milwaukee squad, losing 118-106.

The Sonics saw a lot of Charlie Villanueva, who started for injured rookie Yi Jianlian and finished with 32 points and 11 rebounds.

P.J. Carlesimo and Donyell Marshall had words on the sideline over defensive rotations, but Marshall said it was only a minor incident.

Listen to a conversation with Marshall here.

And the NBA is coming to Oklahoma City, or at least the relocation committee is on March 25 to check out the city’s Ford Center facility and review the city’s potential as an NBA city.

With less than two weeks left in the state Legislative session, Mitch Levy of KJR makes a plea for lawmakers in Olympia to seriously consider a recent $300 million plan to revamp KeyArena in which the state would have to contribute $75 million to the project. $75 million would be put up by the city, and $150 million would be put up by a group of Seattle-area private investors. I’ll have more on this today.

David Stern again has harsh words for Seattle and the situation with the Sonics in a visit to Portland on Tuesday.

There's not much to see here in the land of bratwurst than just bad basketball by the Sonics.

Seattle trails 69-54 at halftime, and doesn't appear interested in playing any defense. Milwaukee is shooting 55 percent from the floor, including 7-of-15 from beyond the acr and already have three players in double figures (Charlie Villanueva has 21 points, Michael Redd 15, and Andrew Bogut 16).

Seattle still has time to come back, but they better get going here early in the third quarter. Seattle is 10-of-13 from the line. If they continue to stay aggressive and attack the basket, maybe they could cut into the lead and make a game of it in the fourth quarter.

I made it to Milwaukee (barely). The Sonics trail 39-24 at the end of the first quarter.

The Sonics only trailed 20-18 midway through the first, but Milwaukee went on a 14-0 run with Charlie Villanuava leading the way. Villanuava started for rookie Yi Jianlian, who is out with a left ankle sprain, and has 15 points in the first half, including going 3-of-3 from beyond the arc.

Moe Williams (abdominal strain) also is not playing for Milwaukee. Starters for the Bucks are guards Royal Ivey (for Williams) and Michael Redd, forwards Villanuava and Desmond Mason, and Center Andrew Bogut.

Starters are the same for Seattle, Earl Watson and Kevin Durant at guards, Jeff Green and Chris Wilcox at forwards, and Johan Petro at center.

During pregame P.J. Carlesimo said he liked the minutes that Donyell Marshall gave the Sonics off the bench, particularly his ability to stretch the defense with the 3-pointer.

Because of the winter snow storm that blew through the Midwest last night my flight plants have gotten jumbled and I'm in an airport in Minnesota hoping to catch a plane in Milwaukee in time to catch tonight's game.

With my copious free time, I've put together a few links to keep you company.

In case you haven't heard, Seattle started off hot then fizzled against the Pistons at Detroit on Tuesday, losing 100-97.

Will Johan Petro be the starting center for the Sonics next season? Seattle coach P.J. Carlesimo says he’ll have a better gauge by the end of this season.

Seattle faces Milwaukee today, and the Bucks still remember the 35 points Kevin Durant hung on them back in Seattle.

Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett declares victory as city residents there overwhelmingly passed an initiative to allow for $121 million in improvement to the Ford Center, setting the stage for an NBA team to move there.

Seattle author Sherman Alexie weighs in on the ongoing blog battles between Sonics point guards Earl Watson and Luke Ridnour in his weekly column he writes for The Stranger.

ESPN’s David Thorpe still has Kevin Durant ranked No 2 in his weekly rankings. Fellow Sonics rookie Jeff Green is ranked No. 11.

Happy reading. I'll have more when I (hopefully) make it to Milwaukee.

According to early reports from Oklahoma City, the $121 million initiative to upgrade the Ford Center is passing handily at 59 percent.

With 12 of 271 precincts counted, the Yes vote is 2439 yes (59.1 percent) and 1,690 no (40.9 percent)

Some news on Robert Swift. He underwent successful surgery to repair the lateral meniscus in his right knee. His knee will be examined in a week, and he'll begin rehabbing in 10 days.

After a spectacular beginning, the Sonics missed their first 15 shots in the second half. And now only lead 51-47 with 1:36 left.

The Sonics can't play any better than this. They're shooting 81.8 (18-of-22) percent from the field against one of the best defensive teams in the league in Detroit.

Seattle leads 41-28 at the end of the first quarter, the most points the Sonics have scored in an opening quarter this season.

It's pretty much stunned silence and a smattering of boos from the Detroit faithful in The Palace, as the Pistons seemed to have been caught looking forward to a titanic match-up at Boston on Wednesday.

Who would have thought Earl Watson would outplay Chauncey Billup to open the game. Watson finished 5-of-6 in the first quarter for 12 points and three assist, causing one fan behind the Seattle beat reporters to utter, "Who is this guy."

Kevin Durant and Chris Wilcox each have eight points each. And Johan Petro has stepped up, with six points and seven rebounds.

Seattle can't keep this up, so it will be interesting to see what happens when Detroit starts to play, which you know will happen.

Same starters for Seattle tonight, with Earl Watson, Kevin Durant, Jeff Green, Chris Wilcox and Johan Petro starting.

Chauncy Billups, Richard Hamilton, Rasheed Wallace, Antonio McDyess and Tayshaun Prince will start for the Pistons.

Still no word from the Oklahoma City vote today. I've been told the first result will come in about 5:30 p.m. Pacific Time, when absentee votes are counted, so I'll let you know more when I more information.

With only 24 games left and not much to look forward to except the NBA draft in June, who will Seattle take in the lottery this season? ESPN’s mock draft lottery machine set up by Chad Ford attempts to answer that question.

The machine scrambles up the 2,184 possible scenarios and spits out its prediction every time you push the “play lottery” button.

I went through 10 different scenarios, and the Sonics actually got the No. 1 pick and chose consensus first pick Kansas State’s Michael Beasley three out of 10 times, even though the Sonics only have an 11.9 percent chance of getting the No. 1 pick.

Seattle got the second pick twice, and took Memphis guard Derrick Rose. The Sonics got the third overall pick three times, and the fifth pick twice, each time taking Texas A & M center DeAndre Jordan, a raw, physical 7-footer who can clog the middle, but needs to work on his post-up game.

The picks make some sense, because the Sonics scouting staff has taken a close looks at Rose and Jordan. It would be interesting if the Sonics got the No. 1 pick because Beasley and Durant are similar players, and I’m not sure how they would mesh together, particularly with Jeff Green also in the mix at a wing spot.

The New Tribune columnist Dave Boling wonders aloud with the Sonics on is current, 7-game road trip, folks at home are getting a small taste what it would be like for the team to be gone permanently.

The Seattle Sonics have a cool new Web site.

ESPN’s Bill Simmons continues his effort to help Sonics fans find solutions to keep the team here.

Heading into the final quarter of the season, it seems the criticism of Kevin Durant has heated up.

Some national pundits argue he’s jacking up too many shots, doesn’t play enough defense and other than scoring doesn’t have any other impact on the game.

Some articles in the past month have cropped up grilling Seattle’s most famous rookie.

Add to that Charles Barkley’s comments that he believes Atlanta’s Al Horford, not Durant, should win Rookie of the Year honors, and that Durant is a one dimensional player that could use a Happy Meal, and the piling on has began, it seems.

ESPN’s David Thorpe has Atlanta’s Al Horford ranked higher than Durant.

And so does NBA.com’s Dave McMenamin.

ESPN’s LZ Granderson anoints Horford the Rookie of the year here.

Critics also point out that Durant’s former school Texas is playing fine without him.

Look, I’m not going to argue Durant doesn’t take bad shots. You’ve seen some of the box scores and they ain’t pretty, 4-of-13 against the Los Angeles Lakers, 3-12 in a 42-point loss to Denver, , and an 8-of-18 shooting night on Sunday against Minnesota.

Durant’s shooting 40 percent on the year from the field, and turning it over 2.95 times a contest.

However, what you don’t get from those stats is when Durant is taking those shots. Is the shot clock running down and is he forced to chuck it up? Does Durant score in the clutch? And who’s there to ease the scoring load for Durant?

I think these are valid questions as you watch Durant’s game evolve. Horford plays with several guys who can create their own shot in Joe Johnson, Josh Smith, Marvin Williams and Mike Bibby.

Horford gets his share of post ups and is effective on the block, but basically all he has to do is hit the boards and play defense. Durant is the marquee player on the Sonics and receives the most attention from opponent’s defensive schemes night in and night out. He weighs about a 195 pounds soaking wet and isn’t strong enough yet to back his defender down to the basket for easy buckets, yet he still manages to get his points most nights.

Ask any NBA scout and they'll tell you Durant is a unique player in the NBA. He’s a 6-10 shooting guard with a quick first step who can blow past almost any defender. He’s still developing a low-post game to go along with his ability to face up defenders. And he moves his feet well enough defensively to stay in front of the likes of cat-quick guards like Steve Nash and Ben Gordon. Critics need to understand he’s a work in progress, and playing without players like Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis to help ease some of the offensive pressure.

“Honestly I don’t know what the critics want me to do,” said Durant after practice in preparation for Tuesday's game against Detroit. “I mean do they want me to average 30 points a game in this league as a rookie? On a new team? I don’t see how I can do that. But I think I’m getting better and helping this team out as much as possible.
“I’m playing a new position that I’ve never played before (shooting guard), and guarding players that I’ve never guarded before, you know, 6-foot-2 and 6-foot-3 players, and just trying to do my best on that. And as time goes on I’m only going to get better if I keep working. I think right now, compared to the beginning of the year, I’m much better.”

Listen to the full conversation with Durant here. And Carlesimo talks about Durant here.

Reader Ryan Parker has penned a song about the Sonics impending departure to Oklahoma City. You can listen to it here.

Seattle his shooting 63.2 percent for the half and up 58-51 over Minnesota at halftime.

However, Seattle led by 15 points midway through the second quarter and let the T-Wolves sneak back into it. Seattle's turned the ball over 11 times, leading to 13 points for Minnesota.

But overall Seattle is playing well and just needs to put their foot on the pedal in the second half.

Seattle will go with the same starters tonight, with Earl Watson, Kevin Durant, Jeff Green, Chris Wilcox and Johan Petro getting the nod.

Sonics coach P.J. Carlesimo said it's important for his team to get a good effort on the boards tonight from big guys like Johan Petro, Chris Wilcox and Nick Collison because Al Jefferson and Chris Richard are physical guys who attack the glass for Minnesota.

Carlesimo talked about Petro's struggles since he's been inserted in the starting lineup. Petro did not score against Mimai in Seattle's lopsided loss to the Heat on Friday and finished with only five rebounds in 17 minutes. Petro was 0-of-3 from the field.

Carlesimo said Petro is stll making the adjustment to playing extended minutes against other team's frontline players. Further, now that Petro is in the starting linup, he's getting more attention from other teams in their scouting reports.

Rookie Jeff Green has a nice stretch going the last five games, averaging 12.6 points and 7.8 rebounds. Carlesimo said the main thing with Green is bringing that effort on a consistent basis.

"I just think the more he’s played, the more comfortable he’s gotten," Carlesimo said. "He’s getting more minutes. He’s getting a few more touches. I think he’s showing things more on a consistent basis, that’s probably the biggest thing.

"He’s played well at times, but he’s also played like a rookie at times. Hope the more opportunity he gets the more consistent (he becomes)."

Listen to the full conversation with Carlesimo.

Probable starters for Minnesota are Sebastian Telfair, Randy Foye, Corey Brewer, Ryan Gomes and Al Jefferson.