Jack Sikma, one of the best players in Seattle Supersonics’ history and the player who led the franchise to its first and only NBA title 40 years ago, pleaded with the NBA to bring the professional basketball back to Seattle.
Sikma did that during his Hall of Fame induction speech and was inducted alongside Al Attles, Carl Braun, Chuck Cooper, Vlade Divac, Bill Fitch, Bobby Jones, Sidney Moncrief, Teresa Weatherspoon, Paul Westphal, the Tennessee A&I College teams from 1957-59, and the Wayland Baptist University teams from 1948-82. He became the 10th member of the Sonics to be enshrined.
Jack Sikma talks about his illustrious basketball career and the 'Sikma Move,' in his @Hoophall speech. #19HoopClass pic.twitter.com/zBppYhwzCe
— NBA TV (@NBATV) September 7, 2019
“To all the diehard Sonic fans who proudly sport the green and gold … there’s a hole in Seattle that needs to be filled,” Sikma said at Symphony Hall. “Speaking for all Sonics fans, it’s our great hope that the NBA will soon find a pathway to bring a franchise back to Seattle. It’s time.”
Eleven years ago, businessman Clay Bennett relocated the Sonics from Seattle to his hometown of Oklahoma City. He did that after a problem with the city of Seattle over a new arena and then renamed the franchise from the Sonics to the Thunder.
At the moment, a new arena is being built on the plot of Seattle’s old KeyArena. It will worth over $900 million and will host an NHL expansion team for the 2021-22 season. Sonics fans are hoping they will also have an NBA franchise again if the opportunity arises.
Jack Sikma was a force in the paint with a smooth go-to jumper… watch the 7x #NBAAllStar's top plays during his NBA career!
🏀: #19HoopClass Enshrinement
🗓️: Friday (9/6)
⏰: 7:30pm/et
📺: @NBATV pic.twitter.com/3j2OpgcHV5— NBA History (@NBAHistory) September 5, 2019
Jack Sikma led the Sonics to their lone NBA championship in 1979, winning over the Washington Bullets in five games. Sikma averaged 15.8 ppg, 14.8 rpg, and 3.2 bpg in the series. During his 14 seasons in the NBA, nine with Seattle and five with Milwaukee, Sikma was a dominant force in the paint. His signature behind-the-head jumper was nearly impossible to block and helped him average 16.8 points during his career with the Sonics. The Sonics retired his jersey in 1992 while Sikma is the franchise’s all-time leading rebounder.
H/T: ESPN
