NBA players from Seattle featured in charity game

Tavio Hobson chuckles when he's told the future of professional men's basketball in Seattle is riding on the success of his charity basketball game.

Still, he knows there's a lot at stake.

The H206 Charity Basketball Classic is the first NBA-sanctioned game in the city since the messy federal court case between Seattle and Clay Bennett three years ago ended in a financial settlement that allowed the Sonics to immediately move to Oklahoma City.

Saturday's 3:30 p.m. exhibition at KeyArena has to prove to commissioner David Stern, NBA owners looking who may relocate their franchise and potential investors that basketball fans here have gotten over their contempt for the league that spurned them.

The game has to raise revenue and awareness for A Plus Youth Program, which helps kids through the Rainier Vista Boys & Girls Club of Seattle.

And it also has to be entertaining.

That's a lot to accomplish for Hobson, who overcame a litany of logistical obstacles, including generating funds for expensive insurance premiums and securing commitments from players embroiled in labor negotiations with the NBA during a lockout.

"The toughest part, without a doubt, is making sure we get all of the guys coordinated," said Hobson, who founded A Plus Youth Program. "Everything else just takes a little time and effort, but it can be done.

"Guys have been good to deal with, but they have very busy schedules and they're giving up quite a bit of time to make this game happen."

It remains to be seen if the game will rekindle Seattle's once passionate love affair with the NBA.

Two years ago, Portland coach Nate McMillan, a former Sonics player and coach, had pushed for the league to schedule a Trail Blazers preseason game in Seattle.

However, team officials believed the timing wasn't right and instead held a practice and intrasquad scrimmage last year at Roy's alma mater, Garfield High School.

Hobson hopes Saturday's exhibition is the start of an annual tradition.

The game is billed as Seattle vs. the League and it has a Harlem Globetrotters feel to it.

The local team is stacked with NBA stars, including Portland's Brandon Roy, a three-time All-Star, and Atlanta's Jamal Crawford, a former Sixth Man of the Year.

Meanwhile the League squad features Minnesota's Michael Beasley and Klay Thompson, a Washington State star drafted No. 11 overall by Golden State last month.

"We can't have those guys coming here and leaving with a win," said Isaiah Thomas, the former Washington Huskies standout and Sacramento draft pick. "It will definitely get competitive towards the end of the game because your competitive nature is to win games.

"Even though you don't want to get hurt or you don't want to do too much, at the end of the day you want to have those bragging rights and say we did beat you. Plus, you want to give the fans a good show."

A noon rally outside KeyArena precedes the game, and players will participate in a three-point competition and skills challenge at 2 p.m. There's also a halftime ceremony honoring the Seattle Sonics.

Hobson had initially hoped to draw 1,000 to 2,000 spectators, but a recent surge in ticket sales has pushed estimates to 7,500.

"What this is really about is showing how vested our athletes from Seattle are into the community," Hobson said. "It's a chance for fans to see professional men's basketball.

"It won't replace the Sonics by any means, but it will allow people to go right down the street rather than make a trip to Portland or have to go out of state to see professional men's basketball."

Percy Allen: 206-464-2278 or pallen@seattletimes.com