The Husky Haul
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Will Washington Basketball team soon compete with NBA?

By Bret Stuter

NEW YORK - JUNE 26: NBA Commissioner David Stern shakes hands with number four draft pick for the Seattle SuperSonics, Russell Westbrook during the 2008 NBA Draft at the Wamu Theatre at Madison Square Garden June 26, 2008 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)
NEW YORK - JUNE 26: NBA Commissioner David Stern shakes hands with number four draft pick for the Seattle SuperSonics, Russell Westbrook during the 2008 NBA Draft at the Wamu Theatre at Madison Square Garden June 26, 2008 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images) /
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SEATTLE – JANUARY 14: Kobe Bryant
SEATTLE – JANUARY 14: Kobe Bryant /

When the Seattle Supersonics became the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Washington Huskies became the only basketball option for Seattle. But the NBA may right the wrong soon. How ill Washington Basketball stand up to NBA competition?

Washington Basketball dominates the Seattle Washington market. On one hand, it’s the Pac-12 NCAA basketball conference and the Washington Huskies compete in one of college’s best basketball conferences.  On the other hand, within the forge of NCAA competition, Washington basketball has smelted  solid NBA caliber talent recently.  Despite the robust nature of NBA talent, the city of Seattle is one of the few major US cities without an NBA team.  Whether the Washington Basketball team benefits from the monopoly is a solid discussion.

Well, that may change:

Seattle Supersonics were great NBA team

After all is said, I have always been enamored with the NBA returning to Seattle. The Seattle Supersonics were one of my favorite NBA teams. Despite the challenges of finances which eventually gave cause for the team to land in the hands of Oklahoma City, the Sonics have never been forgotten.  It was a decision which causes an entire range of emotions in fans: rage, disappointment, disbelief, and betrayal.   A solid article about the timeline for the Sonics to the Thunder can be found in this piece by Sam Farmer of the LA Times.

Since  that move, Seattle remains on the radar of the NBA.  In fact, some of the NBA stars who play today openly advocate the league to restore NBA play to the Emerald City. Players like Jamal Crawford:

We’re listening Seattle

And the NBA has listened.  In fact, the NBA could be deaf and still hear the interest reverberating in their chest.

In the end, the NBA may or may not bring a franchise back to Seattle. But in my heart of hearts, I hope they do. Seattle is a very strong basketball source of talent, and the young men and women deserve to have both NBA and WNBA teams in the city.

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Seattle Synergy

Whether or not the Washington Basketball team retains the love of Seattle if the NBA returns is not the question. In the end, more is better. Seattle has weathered the drought long enough.  In the end, an NBA team may actually strongly benefit the Washington Huskies.

On one hand, imagine having team outings to talk with and work out with NBA players and coaches.  On the other hand, imagine the synergy of having cooperative relationships? And finally, imagine the manner that the Seattle Seahawks have mentored the football program athletes on a basketball court.

Next: Coach Hopkins has tall order getting Washington Basketball to .500 this year?

The Washington Huskies will enjoy far more benefits from an NBA team in the backyard. It’s for that reason that I hope the NBA comes back to the most beautiful city in the USA.  Imagine Huskies having access to NBA greats like Shawn Kemp for Gary Payton?  Let’s make it happen NBA. Now would be nice.

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