A couple hundred or so former Sonics fans, probably more than expected, showed up to see their former team, the Oklahoma City Thunder play in the Northwest for the first time since the Oklahoma City-based ownership group relocated the franchise last summer.

Many were bitter about the loss of the Sonics, carrying signs like the one shown above and down below to voice their displeasure.

But also many were resigned to the fact that their team now resided in Oklahoma City, and looked forward to the return of the NBA to Seattle.

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“To me, Oklahoma City coming down here is no more than Memphis or Charlotte or anybody else coming to town,” said Steven Pyeatt, co-founder of Save Our Sonics. “You know, with Ray Allen and the Celtics we cheer for Allen and hate the team. This isn’t the Sonics. We’re completely separated from that now.”

Listen to the conversation with Pyeatt here.

Listen to Heuer talk about watching his former team here.

And on how he would respond to the Thunder, Heuer had this to say.

“(I’m) Ignoring them all together,” he responded. “When they’re here right now they’re the Sonics to us.”

Most of the players were pleased to see some of the Sonics fans, but also understand they have no control over where they play.

“I know the move was tough,” said Kevin Durant. “And I know that they didn’t want that to happen. But I think that everybody that played on that team last year knows that Seattle is always going to be in our hearts and we’re always going to remember the fans. So even though we’re not there, we still recognize them.”

Listen to Nick Collison talk about returning to play in front of Sonics fans here.

After struggling at the beginning of the season, leading to the eventual firing of coach P.J. Carlesimo, the Thunder had been playing well of late. But playing at Portland in the second of a back-to-back Oklahoma City ran out of gas and lost to the Trail Blazers, 106-92.