TORONTO -- Philadelphia 76ers center Spencer Hawes, who once shaved the space needle into his head, is naturally quite pleased that it appears the NBA will be coming back to his hometown of Seattle. Wednesday afternoon, he tweeted, "Pure. Joy." upon hearing the news, then expressed his dismay that it had to come at the expense of the city of Sacramento. Hawes was drafted by the Kings and played in Sacramento for his first three NBA seasons.
Before his Sixers took the floor against the Toronto Raptors, the big man briefly discussed the news with SB Nation:
I saw you tweeted, "Pure. Joy." Earlier. I assume that was about Seattle...
"It sure was."
What was your reaction?
"I've been hearing rumors but to see to the extent that it came out today … It's just kind of hard to describe. I grew up a lifelong Sonics fan. I grew up going to games with my dad. That was kind of where I fell in love with basketball, so seeing it first hand, being on the other side of it, seeing what everybody went through - fans, everybody in the area - I think it's exciting. It's been a long time coming."
Have you been on the phone with friends back home, other NBAers from Seattle?
"I was on the phone all day, running up the minutes. I talked to Jamal Crawford. He's been another guy who's been really active in the community up there. Everybody, everybody's so tight-knit. I know Isaiah [Thomas] is probably a little bit divided, being in Sacramento…"
So is Aaron Brooks…
"I think they'll get over it."