Seattle Supersonics

The Seattle SuperSonics (or simply Sonics or Supes) are a professional basketball team based in Seattle, Washington. They play in the National Basketball Association (NBA). more...

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Home arenas

KeyArena (formerly Seattle Center Coliseum) 1967–1978, 1985–1994, 1995-Present

Kingdome 1978–1985

Tacoma Dome 1994–1995 (During KeyArena Remodel)

Franchise history

Beginnings

The Supersonics were Seattle's first professional sports franchise. Beginning play in October, 1967, the franchise did not make a playoff appearance until 1975. Their first playoff team, coached by Bill Russell, starred Spencer Haywood, Fred Brown, Slick Watts, and rookie Tommy Burleson.

Russell left the Sonics after the 1977 season, and under new coach Bob Hopkins the team started the season dismally at 5-17. Lenny Wilkens was brought in to replace Hopkins, and the team's fortunes immediately turned around. The Sonics finished the season at 47-35, won the Western Conference title, and eventually lost to the Washington Bullets in the NBA Finals in seven games. The next season, the two teams met again in the finals. This time, the Bullets lost to the Sonics in five games to give Seattle its one and (so far) only title. The championship team roster included Gus Williams, Finals MVP Dennis Johnson, Jack Sikma, Fred Brown, John Johnson, Lonnie Shelton, and Paul Silas.

Sonic Boom!

After suffering with mediocrity for most of the 80's, the Sonics decided to renovate the Seattle Center Coliseum. After playing the 1994-1995 season in the Tacoma Dome the team moved to the renamed Key Arena for the 1995-1996 season. Perhaps the strongest roster the team ever had was the 1995-96 team that received the nickname Sonic Boom. With a deep roster comprised of Shawn Kemp, Gary Payton, Detlef Schrempf, Sam Perkins, Nate McMillan, and others, the team reached the NBA Finals, but lost to Michael Jordan's Chicago Bulls in six games.

The team has been owned by Sam Schulman (1967–1983), Barry Ackerley (1983–2001), and currently Howard Schultz (the chairman of Starbucks Coffee, 2001–present).

The 2003-2004 season marked the end to the Sonics 11-year streak of having a season with a winning percentage of at least .500, the second longest current streak in the NBA at the time.

With their Key Arena lease expiring in 2010 the SuperSonics are exploring options for renovations to Key Arena or constructing a new arena across Lake Washington in Bellevue. Both the City of Seattle and the State of Washington are weighing interest in public financing options including packages simular to those used to fund the Seahawks and Mariners facilities. If a funding package can not be negotiated, relocation or sale of the team is possible. The NBA has interest in locating teams in cities such as Las Vegas, Oklahoma City, Kansas City and San Jose, Ottawa, and Montreal.

Read more at Wikipedia.org