Sonics Intentionally Sabotaged Themselves

If you haven't yet heard about the random dude impersonating the Sonics' scout, welcome to the interwebs. Also, check back later for news on the man accused of building his own Grizzlies' team plane.

But the real news from the Sonics front this week is this latest angle: That the team deliberately shut the fans out of this, and last, season. From the Seattle Post-Intelligencer:

By limiting exposure of its players and denying media access through radio interviews, the Sonics have intentionally tried to minimize public interest in their team in Seattle over the past year, according to a motion filed Tuesday seeking to allow testimony of KJR-AM radio personality Mitch Levy.

[...]

Levy would be asked by the city's lawyers to explain how Clay Bennett's Professional Basketball Club has undercut its own marketing efforts in Seattle by severely limiting player and coaches interviews on KJR-AM sports radio, thereby "adding to its self-inflicted financial wounds."

I was listening to KJR yesterday afternoon. Apparently, they've only gotten one radio interview with Durant all year, which is ridiculous. And, as one host pointed out, the team has done little to play up the presence of Durant. Other than sometimes making him appear to be the team's most important player. But no marketing campaign, no attempt to build excitement for the rookie all the country wanted, no special promotions. Either the Okies are that stupid, or this is some clear self-sabotage.

As I've said before, the only good thing about all this is that, when it's time for Durant and Green -- crown jewels of the rebuilding effort -- to re-up, they're not going to look on these years kindly. Never mind that it's like they'll play in one of the most obscure media markets, practical purgatory for NBA stars. They'll be sitting down to deal with a team that, for all intents and purposes, put its own passive-aggressive kamikaze mission over the job that media relations is supposed to do.

Sure, there's always talk about LeBron going to New York. But I've got to say, Durant jumping ship as soon as possible seems much, much more realistic.

This post originally appeared on the Sporting Blog. For more, see The Sporting Blog Archives.