Bennett And McClendon Inducted into OK HOF
It was strange, strange night at the Cox Convention Center on Thursday night, with the trio of NBA Commissioner David Stern and Sonics owners Clay Bennett and Aubrey McClendon sharing the spotlight at the 2007 Oklahoma Hall of Fame ceremony.
A quick refresher, Bennett has applied to relocate the Sonics to OKC, and Stern slapped McClendon with a $250,000 fine a few months back for saying the ownership group never intended to stay in Seattle when they bought the Sonics.
Stern was on hand to present Bennett into the Hall, and the three shared the head table Thursday night with Stern sitting to Bennett’s immediate right and across from McClendon, who was also inducted into the Hall. It was an unusual scene to say the least.
Some have perhaps read too much into Stern’s presence, though. Bennett and Stern have known each other since the early 90s, back when Bennett was a part of the San Antonio Spurs ownership group and served on the board of governors. Some perhaps might not be reading enough into it. In the thick of an arena dispute in Seattle, Stern comes to OK City to present the Sonics owner into the hall of fame of the state he has applied to relocate the Sonics to. Stern, however, did say that this was arranged months ago before the arena dispute became this heated.
At any rate, I had the opportunity to sit two tables over from their table, and I couldn’t stop observing the various facial expressions and frequency of conversation.
Like a proud friend, Bennett couldn’t stop smiling during McClendon’s acceptance speech. Stern, however, had a look of confusion on his face throughout McClendon’s verbal and video introductions. He almost looked like he didn’t like what he was hearing or the subject of the intro. When McClendon got back to the table, Stern attempted to say a few words to him but it didn’t look like he could get it in.
It’s worth noting, though, that Stern and Bennett speak of one another as if they’re truly good friends. Stern called Bennett his “old friend.” Bennett spent the first two minutes of his acceptance speech praising Stern’s work, vision and impact on the NBA.
I thought the trio handled the situation well, going as far as to joke about the past and current set of circumstances. After McClendon was introduced, he almost immediately said, “Because I heard there might be reporters from Seattle, I brought a script….And I’m going to stick to it.” McClendon also called Bennett “Seattle’s favorite friend these days.”
Stern, meanwhile, threw in a joke about having to teach McClendon about public speaking. He also said he “wasn’t getting into any of the Cowboys-Sooners stuff” in reference to the rivalry.
On a side note….As I was leaving the restroom before the event began, McClendon was using the sink right next to me. There was a bathroom attendant in the men’s room and McClendon tipped the 17-year-old high school kid named Reggie a cool hundred. He said to Reggie, “Here, that’s for all the people who don’t tip,”……at the exact same time I was throwing my towel into the bin without tipping. I later went back and gave Reggie two bucks because McClendon shamed me into doing so. But I felt worse then. What’s two bucks compared to a hundred?
-DM-
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Comments
Sonicsfan is a LIAR!!!!!!! I know you guys are really fond of that word up there. Show me a link where someone has offered to donate a stadium that’s been turned down, I’ll make it easier for you, show me any arena proposall that includes how it will be funded.. Wait I’ll make it easier, show me a link to any new arena proposal other than Bennetts. Thanks for playing,. You come back again and see us real soon.
After Stern made his comments indicating that the NBA will not be returning to Seattle if an arena deal isn’t worked out to keep the Sonics there, it is obvious more than ever that the Sonics are not going to be relocating to OKC. Those in OKC lusting for the NBA shouldn’t not feel too disheartened though, as part of the deal, I’m sure you’ll finally get the expansion franchise you’ve been pining for or perhaps the Hornets or Grizzlies.
Bug…there are no untrue statements given by Sonicsfan. I don’t know where you animosity comes from. Perhaps you are a little frustrated that your city is being use as a pawn to achieve an arena deal in Seattle. I can understand why you don’t have a better understanding of the situation in Seattle, but these shouldn’t be any of your concern anyway. OKC needs to begin work on its own arena solution. You will probably be hosting a franchise within a couple of years and all you have is an inadequate hockey arena (I guess for your pretend NHL team).
Why don’t you call the team the Oklahoma Carpetbaggers when they go to OKC since they were basicallt stolen from Seattle.
Attendance figures for tonights games…not that this is the REAL issue with the NBA is Seattle:
1. New York (19,763)
2. San Antonio (17,670)
3. Seattle (16,379)
4. LA Clippers (15,541)
5. Atlanta (13,172)
6. Charlotte (11,936)
7. Philadelphia (10,014)
As a Sonics fan fighting to keep my team it is disheartening to see that NBA commissioner David Stern is in bed with Clay Bennett, although it explains a lot. As a sports fan I think that stealing a 40 plus year old franchise is the lowest thing anyone could do. By the way, I see a lot of focus on the city of Seattle and State Legislature. You need to dig a little deeper and you will see that numerous groups have stepped up and offered Bennett gravy deals (donated land & stadiums) and he has turned them down….hmmmm, sounds like a good faith effort to keep the Sonics where they belong. How about Bennett being a man and taking his expansion team and moving forward. Congrats on all of the fine NBA talent coming out of your area…oops, my bad.