Seattle presents itself at the NBA’s Rain City Showcase

The Clippers hosted the third edition of the Rain City Showcase, their preseason game in Seattle, on Friday, and a sellout crowd “packed into Climate Pledge Arena.” The game brought the NBA back to town, 16 years after the SuperSonics moved to Oklahoma City to become the Thunder, and for one night only, it was “like the Sonics were back in town.” The “biggest cheer of the night had nothing to do with the two teams, but with the former Sonics in the building” (YAHOO SPORTS, October 12th).

The Clippers-Blazers preseason game gave Seattle “another chance” to “show its interest in the NBA.” Former Sonics coach George Karl said, “I just know Seattle, the karma, the energy, the spirit, the fan base, the history, the tradition and it has the best building in the world. How can the NBA say no to that?” Attendance at the game here Shawn Kemp, Jamal Crawford, Gary Payton And Detlef Schrempf. Former coaches sat on opposite baselines Lenny Wilkens and Charles. Former NFL coach Pete Carroll sat next to the CEO of Kraken Death Leiweke. Clippers owner Steve Ballmer took the microphone before the opening tipoff and said, “Seattle has the best basketball fans in the world” (SEATTLE TIMES, October 11th).