Kris "Sonics Guy" Brannon

From NBA Finals to NBA Beginnings: Positivity Is Key As Thunder in Finals, and NBA Prospects in Seattle Begin

Published June 12, 2012 | By Kris "Sonics Guy" Brannon | Posted in NBA, Sonics

Oh, the good old days.

This is the toughest column I’ve ever had to write. I knew I would one day eventually have to write this but I thought it would take longer for this event to happen. The team we loved and cared for 41 years is now again in the NBA Finals, but this time in a different city with different colors.

Until recently I had a newspaper clipping on my fridge that was from the first year of the Thunder playing when they were truly a team rebuilding. It talks about how they fell short to Dallas and their record dropped to 2-22.  

The growing pains of that first season in Oklahoma City were plentiful for a while there I thought they may break old record for losses in an NBA Season. However the Thunder slightly improved through that year and never really challenged the old 76ers record of 9-73 in a season or the percentage of the Bobcats in the shortened season last year

I knew I would have to write about Oklahoma City being in the NBA Finals, but it only be after the Sonics had won a couple of more Championships right? We would have our history back and have a 3-0 lead on the Thunder for NBA Titles that would make these words I’m writing less painful.

Alas, I cannot delivery the news that way.

The Thunder are poised on the doorstep of a championship the only thing standing in their way is the team that everybody else (myself included) until a few days ago hated: the Miami Heat. I guess you could call me a prophet–I predicted that I would be cheering for LeBron at the end of the year to stop the Thunder–and here it… Continue reading →

SoDo Arena Plan Moves Forward with Memorandum of Understanding

Published May 22, 2012 | By Kris "Sonics Guy" Brannon | Posted in NBA, Sonics

I just feel great about being able to bring news of a new basketball team coming to the area is getting closer to reality every day. The latest arena meeting I went to was the MOU (Memo of Understanding) it sounds very Seattle in its name, but it’s really a comprehensive deal between the county, city and the investors lead by Chris Hansen.

The back of the one and only Sonics Guy, who has the most famous back to hit the Seattle Times since Randy Johnson.

When I arrived at the meeting there was a buzz of anticipation in the air. Media cameras waited to capture something interesting luckily myself and two other members of Bring Back Our Sonics entered fully dressed in green and gold. The cameras  got their wish as they snapped numerous pictures of us Superfans. Their were some seats available in the front row so we sat down waiting for the Seattle Big Three to come in  Dow Constantine, (King County Executive) Mike McGinn (Seattle Mayor) and Chris Hansen.

When they came in I almost had to sit on my hands to stop cheering too loudly. The first one to speak was Constantine. He complimented us on our outfits and thanked us as fans for stopping by.  He talked about how this was a great deal for the county. He then introduced the mayor who proceeded to mention how this deal will bring NBA and NHL back to the Emerald City. One of the interesting things he said was whenever he talks to kids the first question they always ask is “When will get the Sonics back?”

After the Mayor, the Man of the Hour took to the podium. I felt like he was really connecting on all the good points he was… Continue reading →

Update on Last Two SoDo Arena Meetings

Published March 15, 2012 | By Kris "Sonics Guy" Brannon | Posted in NBA, Sonics

Sonics Guy and the original Sonics Guy: Lenny Wilkens. Wilkens is a legend in Seattle.

The first meeting I was able to attend was simply amazing. The face of the organization to get a team here is Chris Hansen–a hedge fund manager who lives in San Fran but has fond memories of watching hoops while growing up in Seattle–was nothing short of spectacular. As he was peppered with questions for about 45 minutes his answers were measured,solid and well thought out. The committee tried in several ways to get Mr. Hansen to divulge who the other financiers were he kept that information close to the vest, but rest assured he has other individuals that share his grand vision. The panel as well as the audiences seemed impressed with his responses.

They took a break after his testimony so luckilly I was able to talk to him before he left. I simply said “Thank You for your efforts to bring hoops back to Seattle.” he was very gracious and thanked me for support. Two of my friends David and Jeff Brown from the group Bring Back Our Sonics also presented him with a T-Shirt.

During the break I was able to talk to Coach Wilkens about how him coaching the Supersonics to their and Seattle’s only championship really had a positive effect on my life and how him working on trying to find a real solution, and how bringing professional basketball back to the area just showed his commitment to us. He kindly thanked me: a true class act.

The second half of the meeting consisted of experts talking about how the arena would be built , timelines, and what benefit it would be to the region. During the public comment portion I was able to talk about how enjoyed their… Continue reading →

Sonics Guy’s Southern Pilgrimage: Portland vs. Oklahoma City

Published February 9, 2012 | By Kris "Sonics Guy" Brannon | Posted in NBA, Sonics


February 6th: Big day ahead, but no set plans but to be at the rally.

My plans for today were to leave around 9 AM. Head to Portland just after rush hour to avoid traffic and get to Portland around 11 AM. Then get some lunch and spend a leisurely afternoon at Powell’s Books and hit Voodoo Donut. I also thought I would just buy a ticket when I was down there. Well you know how the best laid plans go. I texted my buddy Jason, he said he would like to tag along, I was like “the more the merrier.” I was now in a holding pattern as he got a hold of another buddy named Dan who might also want to head on down.

Well lo and behold in just the span of 20 minutes I went from not having a ticket and driving myself to having a ticket, getting a ride, going with 2 friends. I felt like Hannibal on the show A-Team ” I love it when a plan comes together!”

On the way to Portland we stopped at Burgerville in Centralia. This is a top choice joint with great burgers that use real Tillamook Cheese, sweet milkshakes too. From their it was straight onto Portland. What’s interesting to me about Portland is they are using public transportation and bikes in a way Seattle aspires to. It was nice seeing a light rail train FULL of passengers.

We descended on the Powell’s Books. I could spend several days in here just wandering around the place, fortunately for us we had a rally to go to and kept our visit short.

As we parked by the Arena we were able to get parking on the street, another score!

As I headed to the Arena I was hopeful… Continue reading →

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