Seattle SuperSonics Fans Waited Years for a Clippers Experience
Jonathan West
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Monday night, SuperSonics fans packed Climate Pledge Arena, and for all their enthusiasm, they got a Clippers home game.
On Friday, SoDo relished in a walk-off home run that ended a 21-year playoff drought for the Seattle Mariners. Saturday, the Kraken finally released their lovable mascot akin to the Fremont Troll. Then Sunday, all eyes in Belltown bars were on the Seahawks’ no-punt, 48-45 win in Detroit.
And on Monday, our Seattle SuperSonics faithful witnessed a Los Angeles Clippers home game. They deserved better.
As LeBron James proved at Seattle Pacific in August, the Emerald City is still a basketball town. Rumors of an NBA expansion announcement were squelched over the past week, and the 18,440-seat Climate Pledge Arena was still 90% full.
Whose House Is It?
But instead of local announcers and hosts, the Los Angeles Clippers gameday crew traveled all the way to Seattle, along with their team-specific reads and video commercials. Why was this a home game for the Clips versus their opponents last night- the Portland Trailblazers?!
SEATTLE SHOWED UP 💚💛#RainCityShowcase pic.twitter.com/MePIkwNEua
— Seattle Supersonics (@SeattleSonics) October 4, 2022
Earlier in the night, green and gold fans swarmed Queen Anne Beer Hall for a pre-game event with Simply Seattle. Local hoop stars, including George Karl, Detlef Schrempf, and Shawn Kemp, were on hand.
From The Hall up the hill to The Greenhouse, I’ve never in my life seen so many different SuperSonics jerseys, sweatshirts, and hats. The vintage buzz was huge going into the arena.
The in-house mood was weird. About 45 minutes before tip-off, the “who are these people” vibe picked up steam when the two Clippers game hosts and public address announcer started their scripts.
Fans in attendance were subjected to them reading non-local content like follow our (SoCal) social media, and buy blue and red merchandise. Then the mascot- Chuck the Condor, came out instead of all our local favorites. At least Buoy held it down for a brief floor visit during the game.
Of course, they couldn’t promote the SuperSonics or make any future team reference. But it was quite the non-local experience, not even a regional one minus the Trail Blazers hosting. Saving the day was Seattle’s local legends in the seats.
Lenny Wilkens Day
Much love for Lenny Wilkens!#bringbackoursonics pic.twitter.com/DptvKDwVaH
— Niko Tamurian (@NikoTamurian) October 4, 2022
Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell proclaimed October 3rd as Lenny Wilkens Day. His presence at Climate Pledge Arena last night garnered the loudest cheers.
It was more than Macklemore, The Rain Man, The Glove, or Steve Balmer, with his overdone address to excite the crowd, got from those in the crowd.
Final Thoughts
Maybe Steve called the shots last night, who also invested in the SoDo stadium project and now owns the Clippers. But the soaring excitement of the night seemed to stall a bit in Jet City.
Again, this basketball town deserves better. âš“