A lot of people have emailed me wanted me to react to the comments by the Sonics owner. I haven't done so since I think it is very well covered and moreover, as someone who was recently fired by them I think my comments seem skewed either way. If I blast you think I am bitter, if I don't you think I being political.
The comments stand on their own along with the released statements for each fan to react to on their own. It doesn't seem like their needs to be a lot of analysis.
On a sidenote, the Sonics yesterday hired Matt Pinto to be the radio play by play announcer. Matt is a really good guy and a very strong announcer. You will like his work. Matt has now worked for 4 different NBA teams so he is very experienced and understands the NBA well.
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Not sure that you would want to comment on this Locke, but it seems that you got a raw deal from the Sonics. One season on a horrible station that nobody listens to? Did they give you any indication of why they wanted to go in a different direction? Surely they knew what they were going to get because of your years of doing Storm games. If they didn't like your style, why hire you in the first place? Seems fishy. This new guy won't be able to do any better without much better resources from the Sonics and that second-class radio station.
From the begining, the new owners have been in the situation where they can ask Seattle to build for them the best arena in the league because of their arena situation in Ok..We have now seen that play out. While others believe the comments may have slipped out, I'm not so sure. There were going to be 2 reactions to the comment - either we would fight harder for the Sonics, or we would be disgusted by them, and mad at the new owners vowing not to support the Sonics, which in the end makes it easier for them to move the team to Ok. A city like Seattle should never have gotten into this situation, and it makes me sad that we are.
Just the latest in a long line of missteps by Bennett and his ownership team. He is no closer to getting a deal done now than he was when he bought the team. As a longtime Sonics fan, it just makes me sad to see the stalemate between Bennett and the city leaders.
Had not checked for a while -- good to see you blogging Locke!!!!
I can just guarantee I won't be listening to Pinto on that brutal radio station that they chose. I had a hard enough finding it to listen to Locke. No way I'm making that effort this year.
Just getting more and more bitter by the second.....
Well David,
You are not going to get an unbiased opinion from people who like your work so much they go to your blog site!!! I have wondered why you were fired and wish I could talk to you "off the record." My guess on your firing is that you asked too many questions in your attempt to "break down" the new ownership, or they were just intimidated by you. They were trying to fool the fans that they really wanted things to work out here in Seattle, when all along they were just going through the motions so they could move the team in a couple years.
If memory serves me correct, Brian, I think Locke was hired when the old ownership group and Wally Walker were still around. Soon thereafter the team was sold, and people on the station were picking on Locke a bit because of the fact that he'd have to move to OKC in a couple years. The old ownership group understood the connection David had with the fans of Seattle, particularly with the Sonics, and the new ownership group (I'm ASSUMING) obviously doesn't want that because David will be in major support of keeping the team[s] in Seattle.
C'mon Locke, give us some credit - I think we're all smart enough to get your take on the Sonics state of affairs without getting bogged down in what your motives may or may not be for having a particular point of view...but suit yourself.
Anyway, what I'd really most like to know is how you see this ending up in 2010. If you had to make the call today: 1) do they stay, 2) if so, where's the arena, 3) who owns the team?
My answers: 1) yes, 2) Bellevue, 3) a small cadre of former owners from the Schultz group, plus Sabey or Ballmer, with BWhitsitt running the point.
No, I'm not crazy.
glad to see you blogging too locke, always liked reading your takes on the sonics web site, i never check it anymore now cause of the way things are being run, and with the raw deal you got. You're a hell of a guy for keepin this blog goin and helpin us fans out with a little inside info, which is especially tough for me to get bein in california and all. I was interested in hearing your take on this, but glad you took the high road, as always. Keep up the good work man
David, I respect you for taking the high road but with you would comment anyway. I suspect most of your readers "know you" well enough to know that you would do your best to remain objective.
While I wish I could hear your opinion on the Sonics' situation, I respect your decision to not get into it. My hope is that at a later date, hopefully when they get an arena deal here, you can explain what happened.
Keep up the good work.
Locke - always liked your energy. thought it was fishy that you were fired shorlty after being recognized at a storm game. this doesn't seem like an ownership thing. good to see the Sonics are getting their PR department back in order...one misstep after another this last year.
I think at the end of the day it is very possible that the NBA could step in and take over ownership of the Sonics and work a Deal out with Clay Bennett for another franchise or and expantion franchise. The NBA would then work to find local ownership and assist in getting a new arena funded!! I would not be surprised if that is how it goes down.
Sonics Man
Regardless of who does the radio play by play for the Sonics, it is doomed to failure unless it is on one of Seattle's major stations. I live in Snohomish County and could barely hear that station.
I don't know exactly what the motivation of the Sonic ownership might be, but you would at least expect some desire to increase the listening audience. Maybe KJR is not the right place, but wouldn't KIRO have been a better option.
I don't know what your future plans are Mr. Locke, but I am hoping you can come back with your own show in this market.
Locke, I realize you have to play the company line. You are still being paid by the Supes, right? It's cool. The sports fans of Seattle know where your heart really lies. I just wish you were able to say what you really feel and contribute to the Save Our Sonics effort. We're going to do this buddy. I just hope that the new ownership has a place for you when all this nonsense has passed.
Locke, first of all, I've missed you on KJR. Elise and Ian have done a great job trying to fill in for you. I just wish you could go back to the station and replace those fools Groz and Gas. Seriously, they really annoy me. It's so obvious they are upset about the Sonics leaving KJR. They are SO negative about the supes in all regards. They have been the debbie downers on this issue from day one. Gas bag was on just after the McClendon revelation telling Seattle sports fans that we should negotiate a buy out of the lease with Bennett. Hell no to that! Back to McClendon's comments. THANK YOU AUBREY! That was the best thing that could've happened for us. It has pissed off the people that matter in this town. The okie's are now in for a battle. Check out this interview with Mike Kahn on KJR with John Clayton:
http://tinyurl.com/ywa8le
I agree 100% with Kahn on the arena issue. I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm ready to fight for my basketball team. I'm not about to roll over and die for the okie's. Real quick people. Visit the site:
www.adealisadeal.org
Spread the word. This is the first step in winning the war. We need to hold these guys to the current lease. After that, we can then get to finding a REASONABLE solution. And after that we can then get a local ownership group to step to the fold. If all that takes place, there is NO WAY David Stern and the league allows the abandoning of the 14th largest market for the 45th. Not if there is a solution on the table. That is the KEY. To find a solution and put in out in the open. If we can do that, we can save our basketball team! I wish you were free to speak your mind Locke and join the cause. But it's understood. I just thank you for running this blog and allowing us, the fans of Seattle to have a voice. GO SUPES!
Dave, I would like to hear your honest take on this. Forget bias and bitterness. We're all upset in this town. What's your take on this. Or does Clay Bennett and company still have you under their grip? If so, I understand. But if not. PLEASE, speak the truth brother. The Seattle sports fans need you!!!!
We should all email Dick Fain @ KJR to ask that Dave comes back to KJR. My suggestion is to combine Groz and Gas for Groz's timeslot and have Dave take over Gas's timeslot.
I agree that we need David back on KJR. Gros and Gas are on the air way too long. All the do is mumble and bumble, and provide no insight whatsoever. We can combine them so they are on together for 2 hours tops, then David can have a show. However, I was in Salt Lake when David left his radio station and started up a new sports talk station. David, will you consider competing with KJR here in Seattle?
Hi David,
I was reading the Trib Football blog and it says that you are hosting the weekly Seahawks show on KIRO. Congrats and can't wait!
How about becoming the 10:00 pm to 1:00 am guy on KJR? You could freewheel and offer lots of statistical analysis summing up the day's events.
That is a joke. However I listened to you and Elise regularly and enjoyed the edgy interplay. I hope you stick around Seattle, but if not, best of luck!
Where are you David? You haven't posted anything on your blog since 8/15/07...I am going through withdrawl!
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