The NBA Isn't What It Used to Be, But Seattle Doesn't Care
Next week's NBA owner vote to explore expansion in Seattle and Las Vegas is the closest we've come to bringing the Sonics back in 18 years. And honestly? This city is ready. But before we start planning the parade, there's something we need to talk about: the game itself has changed, and not everybody thinks it's for the better.
Three-Point Revolution Took Over Everything
Back in the 1999-2000 season, teams were taking an average of 13.7 three-pointers per game. Last season? Try 37.6. That's a massive shift, and it all traces back to one guy: Steph Curry. When he led the Warriors to that insane 73-9 record in 2015-16, he made 402 threes. The math was simple: three beats two every time. But here's the thing, Curry was a ratings machine himself. The problem is what came after. The midrange artistry of Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant? Gone. Post moves from a dominant low-block center? Dinosaurs. The game looks completely different than it did when the Sonics left in 2008, and not everyone thinks that's a good look.
Load Management Is Killing the Fan Experience
Then there's load management, which is basically a fancy way of saying "our star player is sitting out tonight for rest." Jordan played all 82 games in nine different seasons. Gary Payton had five seasons where he played all 82 with the Sonics, plus two more where he played 81. Try finding that today. Teams have figured out that resting players in the regular season helps them come playoff time, but fans don't care about the logic when they paid good money to see a superstar and he doesn't show up. I've got a colleague who went to a Warriors game this year before the Seahawks played at the Niners expecting to see Curry. He wasn't there. The disappointment is real, especially for folks dropping serious cash on tickets with no warning.
But Seattle Will Show Up Anyway
Here's what's wild though: despite all these criticisms, the NBA just signed a new media-rights deal worth roughly $76 billion over 11 years. That's almost triple the previous contract. Attendance is still strong. People are still packing arenas. And Seattle? We proved with the Kraken that this city shows up when we get a team. Those season tickets sold out in 12 minutes. The Sonics would match that energy and probably blow past it. The game may have changed, but Seattle's passion for NBA basketball hasn't gone anywhere.
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This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.