Last month, the NBA announced it would begin exploring expansion in both Las Vegas and Seattle. After the announcement, it created a lot of buzz around the NBA on both sides of the fence.
Hall of Famer Tracy McGrady shared why the NBA is not ready to expand at this time on his podcast “Cousins,” with Vince Carter.
“We got 30 teams. We don’t have the talent to be trying to start two more teams,” McGrady said. “Can we take away two teams and add two teams? I’m saying keep it at 30. The talent to me is down, bro!”
“I’m all for trying to increase the revenue… I’m just like, we have 30 teams, got a lot of players, 450, I believe. Maybe more now. We don’t have the talent to be trying to start two more teams. I just don’t think we have the talent to start two more teams. Now can we take away two teams & add two teams? To still stay at 30. I’m saying keep it at 30.”
However, the announcement also garnered a lot of positive reactions as well.
Former Seattle Supersonics Kevin Durant was about the news after the Rockets’ 132-124 loss to the Chicago Bulls at the United Center before the end of the regular season.
“I mean, about time Seattle get some basketball back,” Durant said. “It was sorely missed in that Northwest. Portland was holding it down for them, but it’s always good to go Seattle-Portland road trips. So I’m looking forward to that in the future for the NBA. I don’t know if I’ll be around when the Seattle teams come, but I’m still thinking about it.”
Durant Added, “I know they’re super excited just being what, 20 years, 22 years without basketball?” Durant said. “I feel for them. It’s great news to hear that.”
New Orleans guard DeJounte Murray shared that Seattle is a basketball city.
“It’s a basketball city, basketball culture, so it’s mandatory I think that they get it back over there,” said Murray,
Former number one pick and NBA All-Star Paolo Banchero told the AP last month that he was excited for all the kids growing up in the Emerald City because it’s a basketball city.
“I think it’s been a long time coming for the city. I think everybody was pretty bummed out when they left. And since then it’s just been waiting and hoping that one day they will come back. I’m sure with the news, everybody’s excited. I know I’m excited for all the kids growing up because Seattle’s a really big basketball city.”
Paolo Banchero Shares His Earliest Memories of the Supersonics
Recently, Banchero sat down with LandonBuford.com and shared his earliest memories of the Seattle Supersonics.
“I was probably six years old when they left, so I never got to go to a Sonics game. I just remember the whole city being upset and devastated about it,” said Banchero.
“But I’m excited that they have a chance to come back — the city is super excited. My guy Spencer Haas just spoke at a council meeting yesterday, which shows you how excited all the guys from Seattle are about it and how the city is going to get behind them.”
NBA champion and former Seattle Sonics assistant coach Terry Stotts, on former head coach George Karl’s staff in the 1990s, also shared his favorite moment.
“Well my favorite memory was being with them for the Finals.” “The 90s were such a great era for the Sonics, the town, and it’s a shame they’re not there. Obviously, when they get a team it will be well supported.”
Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr also shared his favorite moment against the Sonics and the shock of them relocating to Oklahoma City.
“Definitely the finals and ’96, just feeling the energy and the noise at Key Arena,” said Kerr.
“And you know, those teams were really iconic, with Shawn Kemp and Gary Payton, Detlef Schrempf, Nate McMillan, and RC. They were a great team. But more importantly, Seattle is one of the iconic franchises in the NBA.”
He added, “I was shocked when the league left Seattle. Incredible fan base. Great basketball market. A ton of talent coming from Seattle. Top 10 media market. Incredible sports city. So, it was kind of shocking to all of us when the league left Seattle. And I think we all hoped it would be a lot sooner than 18, 19 years, whatever it’s going to be, before they got back in the league. They belong in that city, and a team belongs there. Those fans deserve it.”
As for Banchero, he and the Orlando Magic are currently up two games to one against the number-one seed, the Detroit Pistons, after their 113-105 victory on Saturday afternoon. He finished the game with 25 points, 12 rebounds, and rebounds in 38 minutes of play.
“You’ve got to wash this one off and refocus for Monday,” said Banchero after the game, after being asked about being up two games to one.
“Like you said, it’s an opportunity to win another game, and we’ve got to come in ready — super focused and excited to play in front of the home crowd again. It is an opportunity, but right now it’s about refocusing, recovering, and doing what we need to do to be ready for Monday.”
He was also asked about Desmond Bane, who matched him in points on Saturday afternoon.
“He got us started tonight — big shot after big shot. Everybody in the locker room knows how he was feeling after the first two games.
“He wanted to play better, but at the same time, he still had that same swagger. He wasn’t in his head. He came in and let it loose from the jump tonight, and that’s what we needed. He’s a hell of a player, a hell of a shooter, and we’re thankful to have him here in Orlando.”
Game four between the Pistons and Magic is on Monday at 7 pm EST at the Kia Center in Orlando, Florida.