Hey Marc, hope you and your family had a fun and safe 4th of July!!
Have you heard anything that pertains to what Sexton might do next year? With the moves and the little money they have, it seems CLE may be ready to move on.
Any updates on the Mavs front, or are they still just planning to keep that last roster spot open in case they made a big deal happen? Thank you!
I’ve been creating outlandish trades for Durant on the Fanspo trade machine and even the most ridiculous ones seem possible right now. I don’t think I’ve ever been this excited about a trade. He goes to, let’s say, the Pelicans and I’ve got a team to feel warmth about. But if he goes to the Warriors then Darth Durant is reunited with Darth Draymond. And then I’ll feel warmth about vilifying a team. These are the kinds of mind games that us mournful Sonics fans are forced to play.
Yes, we were. It’s been fourteen years and my grief has not lessened. I just felt that grief in my chest as I typed this. My late poetry editor, a lifelong Brooklynite, never stopped being angry and sad that he lost the Dodgers.
I Dad was a New York Baseball Giants fan and he never forgave Horrace Stonham for moving his team out of his Bronx. The fact that I even know the owner's name from 1959 is a testament to that fact. I truly hope the NBA brings basketball back to Seattle. I fondly remember the powerhouse teams that Lenny Wilkins coached. Long live Downtown Freddie Brown!!
None of my closest basketball friends here are going but I bought two tickets. I imagine it’ll feel like I’ve got a good view of a fast breaking graveyard.
I tried to switch my fandom to the Blazers the year after the Sonics were stolen. I bought an 8- or 16-game ticket package (I can’t remember which) and made the drive three or four times before I gave up. That three-hour drive from Seattle to Portland always feels much longer in the best of times. It felt like a sad-ass Odyssey during those trips. Some of my fellow Sonics-grievers friends have managed to become Blazers fans. I’ve read about some Sonics-grievers who became Thunder fans (I might’ve ended friendships if anybody I knew had done that!). But I can’t switch allegiances.
Mr. Stein, I’m probably in the minority but I much more prefer your written newsletter to the podcast. One reason I subscribe to a half dozen newsletters on Substack (and yours is the best value for the money btw) rather than listen to a podcast (I do listen to a half dozen podcasts each week) as I enjoy the written word and the elegance of words over talking. Also love your . . . . . . . .
Appreciate the very kind words and support of ellipses. The "podcasts" are really just recordings of live audio chats that are a cross between an old-school radio call-in show and a live pod. I furnish the recordings as a bonus for subscribers who do want to listen to them after the fact, but yes: Words will always be the focus here.
As a 36-year season ticket holder (bought the package the day after the Knicks won the Patrick lottery) I love to read about my beloved, yet meandering Knicks. Loved your Jalen coverage. You beat the field to the news. Including Woj and Shams!
I guess there are bunch of parties and teams that are hoping to get this KD/Kyrie saga over with—not just my Lakers, but everyday this drags on, the less certain I am that Kyrie plays for the Lakers next year.
But when I think about it, it makes sense: the Wednesday before free agency, the market for Russ was DEAD. And then, now a week later, we could somehow get Kyrie Irving?! Would seem unrealistic to even the most purple and gold colored glasses-wearing Lakers fans, that’s for sure… But, hey, you know…maybe something happens. 🤷🏽♂️
— As far as Lakers moves, have you heard about any interest in claiming Isaiah Roby off waivers from OKC???
— It’s not Kenrich Williams, but I’d be very happy if we picked him up for the Gasol TPE.
Hated I had to miss the SpotifyLive room with Pincus, but enjoyed the conversation upon playback. Hope this week goes well for you! 🏀
Don't think it will be surprising if both the Kyrie and KD scenarios take time. They're complex deals and, as you noted, finding a home for Russ' $47 million ain't easy. Will let you know what I hear next.
Got to catch a Live Session of urs after a long time 🙂 Had raised my hand multiple times to ask a question, maybe got missed in the crowd. Hopefully will get a chance to talk to u again soon...
Apologies, Tamal. It is indeed hard to keep track of everything when the room is live ... at least for me. Trying to watch the chat and speaker requests on a small phone screen ... not my strengths.
But what if the Spurs get the No. 2 pick? Hard to just tank for one guy in this era of flattened lottery odds. It was already hard before ... now it's even harder.
Everything I’ve heard and read (sorry I do cheat on you sometimes) is that next years draft has the potential to have 4-5 all stars in the top 6… worth the gamble if true
Hey Marc, hope you and your family had a fun and safe 4th of July!!
Have you heard anything that pertains to what Sexton might do next year? With the moves and the little money they have, it seems CLE may be ready to move on.
Any updates on the Mavs front, or are they still just planning to keep that last roster spot open in case they made a big deal happen? Thank you!
As soon as I have reportable Mavs news ... you know I will put it out.
That brogdon signing really has me down on thinking the hated celtics will be dethroned next year
Didn't quite understand. You DO think they will be dethroned or you think they will be even better with Brogdon (and Gallinari)?
Even better with Brogdon. Gallinari is a meh to me
I’ve been creating outlandish trades for Durant on the Fanspo trade machine and even the most ridiculous ones seem possible right now. I don’t think I’ve ever been this excited about a trade. He goes to, let’s say, the Pelicans and I’ve got a team to feel warmth about. But if he goes to the Warriors then Darth Durant is reunited with Darth Draymond. And then I’ll feel warmth about vilifying a team. These are the kinds of mind games that us mournful Sonics fans are forced to play.
You guys were really screwed by the NBA. Seattle is an awesome basketball town -- just ask Jamal, or Nate or Zach or Brandon . . .
Yes, we were. It’s been fourteen years and my grief has not lessened. I just felt that grief in my chest as I typed this. My late poetry editor, a lifelong Brooklynite, never stopped being angry and sad that he lost the Dodgers.
I Dad was a New York Baseball Giants fan and he never forgave Horrace Stonham for moving his team out of his Bronx. The fact that I even know the owner's name from 1959 is a testament to that fact. I truly hope the NBA brings basketball back to Seattle. I fondly remember the powerhouse teams that Lenny Wilkins coached. Long live Downtown Freddie Brown!!
Yes!
How do you feel about the Blazers playing an exhibition game in Seattle next season? I'm not sure about that one.
None of my closest basketball friends here are going but I bought two tickets. I imagine it’ll feel like I’ve got a good view of a fast breaking graveyard.
Doesn't feel right.
I tried to switch my fandom to the Blazers the year after the Sonics were stolen. I bought an 8- or 16-game ticket package (I can’t remember which) and made the drive three or four times before I gave up. That three-hour drive from Seattle to Portland always feels much longer in the best of times. It felt like a sad-ass Odyssey during those trips. Some of my fellow Sonics-grievers friends have managed to become Blazers fans. I’ve read about some Sonics-grievers who became Thunder fans (I might’ve ended friendships if anybody I knew had done that!). But I can’t switch allegiances.
Mr. Stein, I’m probably in the minority but I much more prefer your written newsletter to the podcast. One reason I subscribe to a half dozen newsletters on Substack (and yours is the best value for the money btw) rather than listen to a podcast (I do listen to a half dozen podcasts each week) as I enjoy the written word and the elegance of words over talking. Also love your . . . . . . . .
Appreciate the very kind words and support of ellipses. The "podcasts" are really just recordings of live audio chats that are a cross between an old-school radio call-in show and a live pod. I furnish the recordings as a bonus for subscribers who do want to listen to them after the fact, but yes: Words will always be the focus here.
That's awesome sir. Now, about my Knicks . . . .
Should I write about them?
As a 36-year season ticket holder (bought the package the day after the Knicks won the Patrick lottery) I love to read about my beloved, yet meandering Knicks. Loved your Jalen coverage. You beat the field to the news. Including Woj and Shams!
Hope you had a happy 4th Marc!
I guess there are bunch of parties and teams that are hoping to get this KD/Kyrie saga over with—not just my Lakers, but everyday this drags on, the less certain I am that Kyrie plays for the Lakers next year.
But when I think about it, it makes sense: the Wednesday before free agency, the market for Russ was DEAD. And then, now a week later, we could somehow get Kyrie Irving?! Would seem unrealistic to even the most purple and gold colored glasses-wearing Lakers fans, that’s for sure… But, hey, you know…maybe something happens. 🤷🏽♂️
— As far as Lakers moves, have you heard about any interest in claiming Isaiah Roby off waivers from OKC???
— It’s not Kenrich Williams, but I’d be very happy if we picked him up for the Gasol TPE.
Hated I had to miss the SpotifyLive room with Pincus, but enjoyed the conversation upon playback. Hope this week goes well for you! 🏀
Don't think it will be surprising if both the Kyrie and KD scenarios take time. They're complex deals and, as you noted, finding a home for Russ' $47 million ain't easy. Will let you know what I hear next.
And thanks for listening to the playback already!
2.0x speed is my friend… 😝
You just gave me the inspiration for a great poll question. I keep it a little shy of 2.0X ...
Got to catch a Live Session of urs after a long time 🙂 Had raised my hand multiple times to ask a question, maybe got missed in the crowd. Hopefully will get a chance to talk to u again soon...
Apologies, Tamal. It is indeed hard to keep track of everything when the room is live ... at least for me. Trying to watch the chat and speaker requests on a small phone screen ... not my strengths.
Hi Marc!! One day closer to that draft lottery next year! Spurs and Womby a match made in heaven!!!
But what if the Spurs get the No. 2 pick? Hard to just tank for one guy in this era of flattened lottery odds. It was already hard before ... now it's even harder.
Everything I’ve heard and read (sorry I do cheat on you sometimes) is that next years draft has the potential to have 4-5 all stars in the top 6… worth the gamble if true