What readers are saying

Sonics

Stern should know city supports team

David Stern is nothing but a dictator who had his feelings hurt last year because our lawmakers and city officials didn't give him the royal treatment that he believes he deserves.

Seattle and the state of Washington have supported the Sonics through thick and thin, and for him to suggest that we don't want the Sonics is deplorable.

Is it the city's fault that the team is losing money? No, it's awful management that has wasted money on poor draft picks and pitiful free-agent signees.

Is it KeyArena's fault that Sonics management allowed Nate McMillan to bolt Seattle for Portland? The bottom line is, the Sonics belong to Seattle and not Oklahoma City.

If they leave town, I will turn my back on the NBA forever.

— Mike Bastinelli, Yakima

Unconcerned Stern

Aren't more than half the NBA teams losing money? And Stern is talking about "expansion" to Europe? It seems the NBA and Stern need to look at themselves and the mess they've created with the out-of-control salaries that makes owners go to the taxpayers for handouts or they'll "up and leave."

If Stern were at all concerned about the Sonics leaving Seattle, why wouldn't he explore that potential local ownership group? Why can't Stern, if he cared, sway the owners when they vote, to vote no against moving the Sonics? Wouldn't that force Clay Bennett's hand into off-loading the team to a potential local buyer?

And why does Stern have to announce something like that during All-Star weekend? He could have just said they are monitoring the Sonics' situation but have no comment at this time, that this weekend is about the All-Stars. Did he want to say it in front of the New Orleans media and fans so they can rest assured that OKC won't be making a play for the Hornets?

— Brian Johnson, Mill Creek

Spread the blame

I love the Sonics, but we can't just put all the blame on Bennett and Stern. They deserve a lot of the blame, but the fans and state Legislature need to take responsibility, too. There's no action on either side.

— Luciano Tarabokija, Burien

Sad situation

This whole situation just leaves me cold and very sad. All the actors involved have earned my disgust. From the city that won't fight to preserve its history, to the NBA that seems so callous to a city that has served it so well for so long, to Bennett who is just plain selfish. It's all just real sad.

— Mark Marlow, Fairbanks, Alaska

Past owners erred

Can we really blame the new ownership for wanting to leave? First off, let us not forget it was a prior ownership group that got us a second-class arena with a financially unsound lease agreement. Second, it was a prior ownership that gave the Sonics probably the worst set of draft picks I can remember. And it was a prior ownership that did not renew an incredible coach, Nate McMillan.

Sure, you can argue that Bennett and associates were not forced to buy the team, but they did and they have totally invested in the future with such young talents such as Kevin Durant, who will become a superstar in the years to come, and Jeff Green, who will be his Scottie Pippen. Why shouldn't they be allowed to move?

It was Howard Schultz, et al, who brought down the team. It was Howard Schultz, et al, that did not care about the future of the franchise. It was Howard Schultz, et al, who were in it strictly for the profit on its sale.

I love the Sonics and NBA basketball. To see this team disintegrate is painful, but I believe the Bennett group is going to make a better team whether it is here or in Oklahoma City. Let's just not blame the wrong people for the exodus.

— Mark Ito, Redmond

Joyce Walker

Walker's courage shines through

I just wanted to thank Sandy Ringer ("Hard road back," Seattle Times, Feb. 21) for the compassion in which she told Joyce Walker's story. As a Roosevelt alumnus, there is something wrong with looking at Garfield's bench and not seeing Walker there.

As important as she is to Garfield, she means so much to the girls high-school basketball culture. Our girls know what it means to play against a Walker-led Garfield team.

We all make mistakes. God gave us free will. I know that I would love to take back many decisions that I made. I wonder if I would have the same courage that Walker has to publicly take responsibility for those choices and face the people that were affected.

I believe that she is a fierce competitor. As she competes against this sickness, she will find the inner strength needed to conquer and rise above the addiction. She is smart enough to know there is a whole community of people pulling for her and she is not alone.

— Michael Duff, Kent

Chambers Bay

Riveting story of course design

I was riveted to Steve Kelley's Chambers Bay column ("Sea and sand," Seattle Times, Feb. 27). What really struck me was Robert Trent Jones Jr. saying the creation of this course was the "most important thing in my personal and professional life." Wow! A guy who has been in the pantheon of elite golf-course architects for decades uses that kind of a superlative.

— Bruce Hoard, Bangor, Maine

Mariners

Proud moment for Niehaus fans

My, oh my, how proud we are that Dave Niehaus is to be named to baseball's Hall of Fame. Dave is the best we've ever had, and besides loving to listen to his call of the game, we love him as a person in this city. We are so proud.

Thank you, Dave Niehaus, for all the fun you have created for us, just by watching and listening to you. We are a proud city and I am a very proud individual, one of many who loves you more as each year begins.

— Arlene Christensen, Lynnwood

Get Junior back

Someone give me one decent reason that prevents the Mariners from making Cincinnati an offer for Ken Griffey Jr.

This is win-win-win. The Reds have too many young outfielders for Junior to get his 400 at-bats; the Mariners desperately need to fill holes in right field and in their power production; and Griffey — while generating much love in Seattle — would cement his home-run totals and his place in the Hall of Fame.

At long last, Seattle would have the punch to match the pitching needed to perhaps catch Cleveland or Boston for a wild-card spot.

Jose Vidro plays 60 games at 2B, Griffey and Jeff Clement share some DH, Junior becomes the mainstay in right field.

The M's sell tickets. Bill Bavasi saves his job.

— Steve Suplin, Everett