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Seattle SuperSonics

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Template:NBA team The Seattle SuperSonics (also called the Seattle Sonics) were an American professional basketball team based in Seattle, Washington that played in the Northwest Division of the National Basketball Association (NBA) until the 2007-2008 season. The Sonics won the NBA Championship in 1979 and were the only team of the three major men's professional sports teams in Seattle—the Seattle Mariners, the Seattle Seahawks, and the SuperSonics—to have won a championship (The Seattle Storm won the WNBA Championship in 2004). From 1978 through 1985, the SuperSonics' mascot was The Wheedle; from since 1993 to 2008, their mascot has been Squatch.

Sam Schulman owned the team from its 1967 inception until 1983. It has since been owned by Barry Ackerley (1983–2001) and the Basketball Club of Seattle, headed by Starbucks chairman Howard Schultz (2001-2006). In 2006, the SuperSonics were purchased by Oklahoma City businessman Clay Bennett, who after failing to reach agreement on a new arena in the Seattle area, moved the team to Oklahoma City following the 2007-2008 season, leaving behind the team's name and history, after reaching a settlement with the city to break the team's lease.

Franchise history

Beginnings

On December 20, 1966, Los Angeles businessmen Sam Schulman and Eugene V. Klein and a group of minority partners were awarded the NBA franchise for the city of Seattle. Schulman would serve as the active partner and head of team operations. Named the SuperSonics after Boeing's recently awarded contract for the SST project (later canceled), they were Seattle's first major league sports franchise. Beginning play in October of 1967, the SuperSonics were coached by Al Bianchi and featured All-Star guard Walt Hazzard and NBA All-Rookie Team members Bob Rule and Al Tucker. The expansion team stumbled out of the gates with a 144-116 loss in their first game, and finished the season with a 23–59 record.[1] Hazzard was traded to the Atlanta Hawks before the start of the next season for Lenny Wilkens. Wilkens brought a strong all-around game to the SuperSonics, averaging 22.4 points per game, 8.2 assists per game, and 6.2 rebounds per game for Seattle in the 1968–69 season. Rule, meanwhile, improved on his rookie statistics with 24.0 points per game and 11.5 rebounds per game. The SuperSonics, however, only won 30 games and Bianchi was replaced by Wilkens as player/coach during the off-season.

1970s

Wilkens and Rule both represented Seattle in the 1970 NBA All-Star Game, and Wilkens led the NBA in assists during the 1969–70 season. Early in the 1970–71 season, however, Rule tore his achilles tendon and was lost for the rest of the year. Wilkens was named the 1971 All-Star Game MVP, but the big news of the season came when owner Sam Schulman managed to land American Basketball Association Rookie of the Year and MVP Spencer Haywood following a lengthy court battle (see Haywood v. National Basketball Assn.). The following season, the SuperSonics went on to record their first winning season at 47–35. The team, led by player-coach Wilkens and First Team forward Haywood, held a 46–27 mark on March 3, but late season injuries to starters Haywood, Dick Snyder, and Don Smith contributed to the team losing eight of its final nine games — otherwise, the 1971-72 team might very well have become the franchise's first playoff team. The following season, Wilkens was dealt to Cleveland in a highly unpopular trade, and without his leadership the Supersonics fell to a 26–56 record. One of the few bright spots of the season was Haywood's second consecutive All-NBA First Team selection, as he averaged a SuperSonics record 29.2 points per game and collected 12.9 rebounds per game.

File:SeattleSuperSonicsOld.png
Logo, 1975–1995. This is the last logo to date referencing the team by its full name.

The legendary Bill Russell was hired as the head coach in the following year, and in 1975 he coached the SuperSonics to the playoffs for the first time. The team, which starred Haywood, guards Fred Brown and Slick Watts, and rookie center Tommy Burleson, defeated the Detroit Pistons in a three game mini-series before falling to the eventual champion Golden State Warriors in six games. The next season, the SuperSonics traded Haywood to New York forcing the remaining players to pick up the offensive slack. Guard Fred Brown, now in his fifth season, was selected to the 1976 NBA All-Star Game and finished fifth in the league in scoring average and free throw percentage. Burleson's game continued to strengthen, while Watts led the NBA in both assists and steals and was named to the All-NBA Defensive First Team. The SuperSonics again made the playoffs, but lost to the Phoenix Suns in six games in spite of strong performances from both Brown (28.5 ppg) and Burleson (20.8 ppg) during the series.

Russell left the SuperSonics after the 1976–77 season, and under new coach Bob Hopkins the team started the season dismally at 5–17. Lenny Wilkens was brought back to replace Hopkins, and the team's fortunes immediately turned around. The SuperSonics won 11 of their first 12 games under Wilkens, finished the season at 47–35, won the Western Conference title, and actually led the Washington Bullets three games to two before losing in seven games in the 1978 NBA Finals. Other than the loss of center Marvin Webster to New York, the SuperSonics roster stayed largely intact during the off-season, and in the 1978–79 season they went on to win their first division title. In the playoffs, the Supersonics defeated the Phoenix Suns in a tough seven game conference final series to set up a rematch with the Washington Bullets in the finals. This time, the Bullets lost to the SuperSonics in five games to give Seattle its first, and so far only, NBA title. The championship team roster included the powerful backcourt tandem of Gus Williams and Finals MVP Dennis Johnson, second year All-Star center Jack Sikma, forwards John Johnson and Lonnie Shelton, and key reserves Fred Brown and Paul Silas.

1980s

The 1979–80 season saw the SuperSonics finish second in the Pacific Division to the Los Angeles Lakers with a strong 56–26 record. 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 Seattle, Gus Williams and Dennis Johnson were both 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 straight season, but lost to the Lakers in five games. It was the last time that the backcourt of Williams and Johnson would play together in SuperSonics uniforms, as Johnson was traded to the Phoenix Suns before the start of the 1980–81 season and Williams sat out 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, so far the only time they have ever finished in last place. Williams returned for the 1981–82 season, and Seattle managed respectable 52–30 and 48–34 records during the next two years.

In October of 1983, original team owner Sam Schulman sold the SuperSonics to Barry Ackerley, initiating a period of decline and mediocrity for the franchise. 1984 saw Fred Brown retire after playing 13 productive seasons, all with Seattle. His career reflected much of the SuperSonics' history to that time, having 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 many contributions to the team, Brown's number was retired in 1986. Lenny Wilkens left the organization following the 1984–85 season, and when Jack Sikma was traded after the 1985–86 season, the last remaining tie to the SuperSonics' championship team (aside from trainer Frank Furtado) had been severed.

Among the few SuperSonics highlights of second half of the 1980s were Tom Chambers' All-Star Game MVP award in 1987, Seattle's surprise appearance in the 1987 Western Conference Finals, and the performance of the power trio of Chambers, Xavier McDaniel, and Dale Ellis. In 1987–88, the three players each averaged over 20 points per game with Ellis at 25.8 ppg, McDaniel at 21.4, and Chambers at 20.4. In the 1988–89 season, with Chambers having signed with Phoenix, Ellis improved to his scoring average to 27.5 points per game and finished second in the league in three-point percentage. The SuperSonics finished with a 47–35 record, and made it to the second round of the 1989 playoffs.

1990s

File:SeattleSSonics5.png
Logo, 1995–2001.

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.

The next year, 1993-94, the SuperSonics had the best record in the NBA at 63–19, but suffered a humiliating first round loss to the Denver Nuggets, becoming the first #1 seed to lose a playoff series to an 8th seed. After playing the 1994–95 season in the Tacoma Dome the team moved to the renamed Key Arena for the 1995–96 season. 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 comprised of All-NBA Second Team selections Kemp and Payton, forward Detlef Schrempf, center Sam Perkins, guard Hersey Hawkins, and guard Nate McMillan, the team reached the 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 long-time Sonic and defensive specialist Nate McMillan retired.

2000s

Disagreements with management led to Karl leaving Seattle after the 1997–98 season, and the SuperSonics again descended into an extended period of mediocrity. The 2002–03 season saw All-Star Gary Payton traded to the Milwaukee Bucks, and it also marked the end to the SuperSonics 11-year streak of having a season with a winning percentage of at least .500, the second longest current streak in the NBA at the time. The 2004–05 team surprised many when it won the organization's sixth division title under the leadership of Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis, winning 52 games. During the off-season in 2005, head coach Nate McMillan left the Sonics to accept a high-paying position to coach the Portland Trail Blazers. After his departure, the team regressed the following season with a 35–47 record, missing the playoffs.

On May 22, 2007, the Supersonics were awarded the 2nd pick in the 2007 NBA Draft, equaling the highest draft position the team has ever held. They selected Kevin Durant out of Texas. On June 28, 2007, the SuperSonics traded Ray Allen and the 35th pick of the 2nd round (Glen Davis) in the 2007 NBA Draft to the Boston Celtics for rights to the 5th pick Jeff Green, Wally Szczerbiak, and Delonte West. On July 11, 2007, the SuperSonics and the 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 the Phoenix Suns.[2]

Relocation to Oklahoma City

Main article: Seattle SuperSonics proposed relocation to Oklahoma City


In 2006, the Sonics were sold to an investment group led by Clayton Bennett, who said the team would stay in Seattle if a new arena complex was built. Yet, in August 2007, Sonics co-owner Aubrey McClendon announced publicly to The Journal Record that, "we didn't buy the team to keep it in Seattle; we hoped to come here." [3] After receiving a private warning from NBA commissioner David Stern, Bennett responded, assuring Stern that, "As absolutely remarkable as it may seem, Aubrey and I have NEVER discussed moving the Sonics to Oklahoma City, nor have I discussed it with ANY other member of our ownership group."[4]After several attempts to try and get Washington state and local governments to fund a $500 million dollar arena complex in Renton, Washington, Bennett requested arbitration with the City of Seattle to be released from their lease on KeyArena[5] and notified the NBA that he wanted to relocate the team to Oklahoma City.[6] When the arbitration request was rejected by a judge, the City of Seattle sued Bennett's ownership group to force them to stay until the end of the lease.[7]

Former owner, Howard Schultz, filed a lawsuit to have the court take control of the team citing fraud and misrepresentation in buying the team and for breach of contract after the purchase.[8] Bennett's attorney's filed a motion accusing the city of duplicity by suing the team to make "the Oklahomans' bleed cash in a hostile media environment" and force them to sell to a local ownership group led by Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer.[9] The move for the 2008-2009 season was given approval by the NBA Board of Governors pending the outcome of litigation over the lease and ownership of the team. A court session began on June 16 to determine if the Sonics can move to Oklahoma City for the 2008-2009 NBA season or if they must honor their lease with KeyArena and remain in Seattle until 2010.[10][11] On July 2, just hours before the judge was to release her ruling, it was announced that the team and city had reached a settlement.[12]

Season-by-season records

Main article: Seattle SuperSonics seasons

Home arenas

Uniforms

The Supersonics wore white uniforms with green and gold trim at home. Their road uniforms were dark green with white and gold accents. Their third kit was gold with green and white trim.

Rivalries

The "I-5" Rivalry

The SuperSonics were traditional rivals with the Portland Trail Blazers because of the teams' proximity the rivalry had been dubbed the "I-5" Rivalry in reference to the Interstate 5 freeway that connected the two cities. The rivalry was fairly equal in accomplishments, with both teams winning one championship each. The all-time record of this rivalry ended at 98-94 in favor of the SuperSonics.

Players

Main article: Seattle SuperSonics all-time roster

Basketball Hall of Famers

  • Lenny Wilkens (player and head coach for the SuperSonics; inducted as both, coached the 1979 Championship Team)

Retired numbers

Current roster

Oklahoma City Thunder roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB From
C 15 Carlson, Branden 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1999-06-14 Utah
G 9 Caruso, Alex 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 186 lb (84 kg) 1994-02-28 Texas A&M
F 13 Dieng, Ousmane 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 222 lb (101 kg) 2003-05-21 France
G/F 5 Dort, Luguentz 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1999-04-19 Arizona State
G/F 88 Ducas, Alex (TW) 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 2000-12-11 Saint Mary's
G 14 Flagler, Adam (TW) 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1999-12-01 Baylor
G 2 Gilgeous-Alexander, Shai 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 1998-07-12 Kentucky
C 55 Hartenstein, Isaiah Injured 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 255 lb (116 kg) 1998-05-05 Germany
F/C 7 Holmgren, Chet Injured 7 ft 1 in (2.16 m) 213 lb (97 kg) 2002-05-01 Gonzaga
G 11 Joe, Isaiah 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 181 lb (82 kg) 1999-07-02 Arkansas
G/F 3 Jones, Dillon 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 240 lb (109 kg) 2001-10-29 Weber State
G 25 Mitchell, Ajay (TW) 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 2002-06-25 UC Santa Barbara
G 44 Topić, Nikola Injured 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 201 lb (91 kg) 2005-08-10 Serbia
G 22 Wallace, Cason 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 2003-11-07 Kentucky
G 21 Wiggins, Aaron 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 1999-01-02 Maryland
G/F 8 Williams, Jalen 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 2001-04-14 Santa Clara
F/C 6 Williams, Jaylin Injured 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 250 lb (113 kg) 2002-06-29 Arkansas
G/F 34 Williams, Kenrich 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1994-12-02 TCU
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • (GL) On assignment to G League affiliate
  • (TW) Two-way affiliate player
  • Injured Injured

Roster
Last transaction: November 16, 2024

Coaches

Coaching history
Coach Seasons active
Al Bianchi 1967/68 – 1968/69
Lenny Wilkens 1969/70 – 1971/72
Tom Nissalke 1972/73
Bucky Buckwalter 1972/73
Bill Russell 1973/74 – 1976/77
Bob Hopkins 1977/78
Lenny Wilkens 1977/78 – 1984/85
Bernie Bickerstaff 1985/86 – 1988/89
Tom Newell 1988/89
Bob Kloppenburg 1988/89
Bernie Bickerstaff 1989/90
K.C. Jones 1990/91 – 1991/92
Bob Kloppenburg 1991/92
George Karl 1991/92 – 1997/98
Paul Westphal 1998/99 – 2000/01
Nate McMillan 2000/01 – 2004/05
Bob Weiss 2005/06
Bob Hill 2005/06 – 2006/07
P. J. Carlesimo 2007/08 – Present

High points

Franchise leaders

Single game records

Single season records

  • Points: 2,253 by Dale Ellis, 1988-89
  • Points per game: 29.2 by Spencer Haywood, 1972-73[13]
  • Rebounds: 1,038 by Jack Sikma, 1981-82
  • Rebounds per game: 13.4 by Spencer Haywood, 1973-74
  • Assists: 766 by Lenny Wilkens, 1971-72
  • Assists per game: 9.6 by Lenny Wilkens, 1971-72
  • Steals: 261 by Slick Watts, 1975-76
  • Steals per game: 3.18 by Slick Watts, 1975-76

Career leaders

  • Games: Gary Payton, 999
  • Minutes Played: Gary Payton, 36,858
  • Points: Gary Payton, 18,207
  • Field Goals Made: Gary Payton, 7,292
  • Field Goal Attempts: Gary Payton, 15,562
  • 3-Point Field Goals Made: Rashard Lewis, 918
  • 3-Point Field Goals Attempted: Gary Payton, 2,855
  • Free Throws Made: Jack Sikma, 3,044
  • Free Throws Attempted: Shawn Kemp, 3,808
  • Offensive Rebounds: Shawn Kemp, 2,145
  • Defensive Rebounds: Jack Sikma, 5,948
  • Total Rebounds: Jack Sikma, 7,729
  • Assists: Gary Payton, 7,384
  • Steals: Gary Payton, 2,107
  • Blocked Shots: Shawn Kemp, 959
  • Turnovers: Gary Payton, 2,507
  • Personal Fouls: Gary Payton, 2,577

Career per game

  • Minutes Played: Spencer Haywood, 40.36
  • Points: Ray Allen, 26.44
  • Field Goals Made: Spencer Haywood, 9.72
  • Field Goal Attempts: Spencer Haywood, 21.01
  • 3-Point Field Goals Made: Ray Allen, 3.45
  • 3-Point Field Goal Attempts: Ray Allen, 8.37
  • Free Throws Made: Lenny Wilkens, 6.25
  • Free Throw Attempts: Lenny Wilkens, 7.99
  • Offensive Rebounds: Marvin Webster, 4.40
  • Defensive Rebounds: Jack Sikma, 8.32
  • Total Rebounds: Marvin Webster, 12.62
  • Assists: Lenny Wilkens, 9.02
  • Steals: Slick Watts, 2.47
  • Blocked Shots: Alton Lister, 2.09
  • Turnovers: Marvin Webster, 3.13
  • Personal Fouls: Danny Fortson, 4.01

Career per 48 minutes

Individual awards

NBA Defensive Player of the Year

NBA Finals MVP

NBA Executive of the Year

NBA Most Improved Player Award

J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award

NBA All-Star Game MVPs

All-NBA First Team

All-NBA Second Team

All-NBA Third Team

NBA All-Defensive First Team

NBA All-Defensive Second Team

NBA Rookie First Team

NBA Rookie Second Team

NBA Rookie of the Year Award

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Andrieson, David (October 13, 2007), "Sonics ushered Seattle into the big time 40 years ago Saturday", The Seattle Post-Intelligencer{{citation}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  2. ^ Suns gain $8M trade exception by trading Thomas, posted July 20, 2007
  3. ^ Jim Brunner (2008-04-17). "E-mails reveal Sonics owners intended to bolt from Seattle". The Seattle Times. Retrieved 2008-07-01.
  4. ^ Jim Brunner (2008-04-17). "E-mails reveal Sonics owners intended to bolt from Seattle". The Seattle Times. Retrieved 2008-07-01.
  5. ^ "NBA Sonics seek arbitration to escape Seattle lease". AFP. Google. 2007-09-21. Retrieved 2008-03-26.
  6. ^ Greg Johns (2007-11-02). "Bennett says Sonics going to Oklahoma". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Retrieved 2007-11-15. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  7. ^ >"City of Seattle v. Professional Basketball Club LLC", Justia.com 9 Oct, 2007.
  8. ^ Percy Allen (2008-04-15). "Howard Schultz plans to sue Clay Bennett to get Sonics back". The Seattle Times. Retrieved 2008-04-15.
  9. ^ Jim Brunner (2008-04-17). "Sonics owner Bennett fires back at Seattle". The Seattle Times. Retrieved 2008-04-19.
  10. ^ Sonics | David Stern loves KeyArena *Updated 5:22 p.m.* | Seattle Times Newspaper Blog
  11. ^ "NBA approves Sonics' move to Oklahoma amid legal wrangling". KOMO-TV. 2008-04-18. Retrieved 2008-04-18.
  12. ^ "Sonics, city reach settlement". The Seattle Times. 2008-07-02. Retrieved 2008-07-02.
  13. ^ Bob Rule averaged 29.8 points per game for the SuperSonics in the 1970-71 season, but only played in four games, thereby missing the standard qualification minimums
Preceded by NBA Champions
Seattle SuperSonics
1979 		Succeeded by
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