The Sonics may have just played the last game in Seattle last night against the Dallas Mavericks. The Sonics rallied and ended up winning the contest 99-95. The Key Arena was on fire with fans cheering in hopes that the Supes will stay in Seattle.

They carried signs. One read, "E-mail Clay: C.U. in court!" Another called Bennett, who intends to move the team to Oklahoma City, "a liar" and "a thief."

When asked about his reaction to the support from the fans, rookie sensation Kevin Durant said, "I almost cried, to be honest with you," he said. "It was phenomenal.

"The whole arena was into it. The ushers were clapping."

Even former Sonics star Gary Payton showed up to the game to show his support for his former town. "It will be a disaster if they move them after 41 years," Payton said before halftime. "I don't think these fans deserve that.

They definitely do not deserve it. As I have said in an earlier article, I grew up coming to Sonics games and also emulated Sonics greats like Shawn Kemp, Gary Payton, Detlef Schrempf, and Hersey Hawkins, while out in my driveway shooting around and playing with neighbor kids. It would be a tragedy to see the team move to another state and to watch the city of Seattle lose a professional basketball team.

I also question the integrity of new owner Clay Bennett, who seems to have come to the city with intentions to snatch up the team and move them; not to negotiate for a new arena – which he said were his original intentions. I think NBA Commissioner David Stern should penalize Bennett for the emails that he sent and also for the fact that he lied about his original intentions.

So to all of the Sonic faithful: keep supporting the team, there is a chance that they will stay put, for now anyway. 



Dan Olson writes for KSTW-TV in Seattle. All opinions expressed in this column are his.