Sonics Court Proceedings Get Weird

It’s perfectly okay if you’ve lost track of the Seattle SuperSonics. I live here, and as far as I can tell, the Sonics will be around for one more year, guaranteed. Two is a distinct possibility. Beyond that, it’s anyone’s guess. One thing’s for sure: The whole thing has become a debacle that makes the league look bad and, of course, has the Okies looking like a bunch of slack-jawed, conniving fools. Sometimes, I sit around and wonder what they would’ve done if they’d had a shot at Beasley. Probably traded the pick. Just to keep Durant’s nose clean and the kid happy, right?↵
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↵Anyway, every once in a while, something emerges from the (preliminary?) court proceedings that ups the ante on the craziness surrounding this team. The latest? Controversy over whether Sherman Alexie, noted author, and Sonics fan, has any business testifying at the trial. From the Post-Intelligencer:↵↵⇥Alexie, a Spokane/Coeur d’Alene Indian and Seattle resident, is scheduled to testify on the “Sonics’ role in the Seattle metropolitan community from the perspective of a season ticket holder, the diverse nature of the Sonics’ crowds, the impact of the Sonics on minority communities and the impact of sports on family relationships.”↵↵The team’s objections:

↵↵⇥The motion says “other than being a season ticket holder, it is unclear what foundation or testimonial knowledge” he would bring. What is clear are his biased, profanity-laden views about the PBC (Bennett’s Professional Basketball Club).”
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↵⇥The motion then quotes from several colorful Alexie writings in which he expresses hostility toward Bennett, Howard Schultz, Nick Licata and anyone who feels happy about the Sonics’ potential departure, punctuated with expressions not used in most family newspapers↵↵Two things jump out at me here: First, this is typical, weird, outside-the-box Seattle-izing, and it’s amazing to me that the Sonics feel blindsided by this defilement of the courtroom. Second, this is exactly why players and casual fans have lost interest in the legal situation—and why, in the end, the circus surrounding this team could end up being more interesting to non-fans than the team itself ever was.
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↵Now all they need is testimony from that Pearl Jam bassist who likes hoops. And an in-court performance.↵