As the Oklahoma City Thunder prepare to face the Indiana Pacers in the 2025 NBA Finals, a significant debate is resurfacing: If the Thunder triumph, will it mark the first championship in franchise history? While the emotional answer leans towards a clear “no,” technically, Spencer Hawes, a former NBA player, highlights the complexity surrounding the situation.
The Thunder claim ownership of the Seattle SuperSonics’ history, which includes a championship won in 1979. This ownership stems from the purchase of the SuperSonics by a group led by Clay Bennett in 2006. Despite this technicality, many fans from Seattle still associate the championship with their city, intensifying feelings of loss and resentment stemming from the franchise’s relocation to Oklahoma City in 2008.
Brett Goldberg, who works with notable former Sonics figures, explained that both organizations operate under a separation of histories, though they are inextricably linked by ownership. While memorabilia from the SuperSonics remains in Seattle, Thunder fans do not claim the emotional resonance that the franchise’s history holds for Seattle basketball supporters.
The pain for former Sonics stars like Spencer Haywood is palpable. He reminisces about the sense of community the SuperSonics fostered and expresses frustration that his jersey hangs in a museum rather than being celebrated in Oklahoma City. The emotional scars of the SuperSonics’ departure remain fresh for many Seattle fans, as they continue to hope for the return of the NBA to their city.
The current NBA Finals have ignited mixed feelings within the Seattle community, especially among fans who will be “hate-watching” the matchup. Many locals, including Hawes, have pledged their support to the Pacers over the Thunder, viewing the latter’s success as a painful reminder of what was lost. Notably, Haywood finds humor in Hawes’ sentiments, reflecting the wide range of emotions connected to this complex narrative.
For figures like George Karl, who once coached the Sonics, time has softened his views towards Oklahoma City. He acknowledges the Thunder’s success and character but maintains a deep-rooted love for Seattle.
The Thunder, while officially recognized as a continuation of the SuperSonics, evoke sentiments in Seattle that diverge based on personal and community connections to the past. As the finals unfold, seasoned fans and former players alike will grapple with a history that lives on in memory, anticipating the day when their beloved Sonics may stride back onto the court.
This situation presents an opportunity for hope; as discussions of NBA expansion circulate, the prospect of a new franchise in Seattle could one day reunite former fans and rekindle a longstanding love for basketball in the city—reminding everyone involved of the high stakes of loyalty, legacy, and community in sports.