NorthWest Sports Blog brings you daily features on Oregon, Washington State, and BC amateur and pro sports teams.
PROUD Seattle SuperSonics blogger Brandon Choate gives us a glimpse into the mind of a suffering Sonics fan. After the attempt to buy and relocate the Sacramento Kings to Seattle failed, fans were left wondering why. Brandon points his finger at the #1 enemy – David Stern. Between using his power for the wrong reasons and being childish at the same time, Stern managed to leave Seattle fans even more angry than before.
NWSB Editor and Insider Chris Anderson talks about the decision that was made today by the NBA Board of Governors to deny relocation of the Sacramento Kings. A huge victory for the city of Sacramento, the NBA Board of Governors voted 22-8 against relocation. And while that was a tough blow for Seattle fans to soak in, today was much more than trying to get the Kings, it was also a day when we could potentially hear about the likelihood of NBA expansion into Seattle.
NWSB Insider Chris Hall recaps the ongoing saga that is the potential sale of the Sacramento Kings. The emotions of Seattleites have been pulled and tugged at throughout this process. Starting with rumors of the team being sold, people from the great Northwest began to feel as if they may finally see the return of the Seattle Supersonics. Now, that move is up in the air despite the Maloofs’ desire to sell, sell, sell.
NWSB Insider Bryant Knox breaks down how Damian Lillard won the 2013 Kia NBA Rookie of the Year award. This award was decided a long time ago, but it was officially announced on Wednesday, May 1, 2013. Lillard became just the fourth player in NBA history to win the award unanimously, stealing first-place votes away from Anthony Davis, Bradley Beal and Andre Drummond. On his own team, Lillard had a bigger impact than LaMarcus Aldridge, all but solidifying the award.
Peter Edlund is getting excited about the potential of a return of the Seattle Supersonics to the great Northwest. The potential move of the Sacramento Kings would land a handful of exciting players in Seattle, including DeMarcus Cousins, Isaiah Thomas, Chuck Hayes, Patrick Patterson and Marcus Thornton. Tyreke Evans is another solid candidate, but the combination of he and Cousins hasn’t led to success thus far.
NWSB Editor and Insider Chris Anderson talks about the current state of the Blazers and where they stand in relation to the NBA Playoffs. Now they are five games under .500 (29-34), third in the Northwest, and four games behind the Los Angeles Lakers for the No. 8 and final playoff spot in the Western Conference with 19 games to go. And while Portland could regroup and make a run for the playoffs, the recent play of the Lakers Kobe Bryant and Steve Nash is going to make it tough.
NWSB Insider and Seattle SuperSonics blogger Clinton Bell gives us his two choices for lottery picks the future Sonics should take a hard look at come July. Cody Zeller, and Nerlens Noel lead Clinton’s picks for much needed big man help on this Kings/Sonics roster. DeMarcus Cousins has the ability to be an All-Star for many years, but he needs a little help up front. Zeller has the offensive ability the Kings lack up front, while Noel is a defensive mastermind that will help on the low post.
Bryant Knox previews the five biggest games remaining in the Portland Trail Blazers’ season. The Blazers began the year exceeding expectations, but they’ve since lost momentum, including a seven-game losing streak in the month of February. If the team wants to play past April, they’ll have to find wins against the Utah Jazz, Los Angeles Lakers, Oklahoma City Thunder, Golden State Warriors and yes, the Charlotte Bobcats.
NWSB inside and Blazers blogger Jon Irwin reports on what he thinks are the odds for Portland players to bring home top NBA honors. Leading the way is Damian Lillard, who has a great shot at the rookie of the year award. LaMarcus Aldridge has a great resume for MVP, but is a long-shot in today’s NBA.
NWSB Insider and Portland Trail Blazers Blogger Bryant Knox breaks down why LaMarcus Aldridge should be the starting center in Rip City. Despite being comfortable as the team’s power forward, advanced statistics show how valuable Aldridge has been at the center position throughout the 2012-13 season. The Blazers’ big man has stated that he wants to play alongside a dominant center, but if given the chance, he could be that imposing big that the team desperately needs.
NWSB insider and Portland Trail Blazers blogger Bryant Knox breaks down how Nicolas Batum has earned his contract through the first half of the NBA season. Batum signed a four-year, $45 million contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves this past summer, and the Blazers needed to make a decision. Let him walk, or risk paying too much money. Needless to say, the Blazers matched the Wolves’ offer, and it’s paid off up to this point in the year.
NWSB Editor and Insider Chris Anderson talks about the rumors of the Sacramento Kings being sold to Seattle. Though there were early reports coming from the daughter of NBA agent David Falk that the Kings were being sold to Seattle (which were quickly dismissed), Seattle having a basketball team in 2013 became more concrete when Adrian Wojnarowski, a reporter for Yahoo! Sports, tweeted that the two sides were very close to an agreement.
