Thursday, June 11, 2009

John Hollinger of ESPN Ranks NBA Franchises; Thunder 12th

John Hollinger of ESPN.com has put together his ratings of all 30 NBA teams based on all-time history. He ranks the Oklahoma City Thunder 12th.

I'm sure this news rankles those in Seattle and their empathetic brethren. I don't blame them. In fact, the feeling is mutual.

It's flattering to be considered in the upper crust of the NBA. The Thunder are ranked five spots ahead of the Knicks and one ahead of the Pistons? Are you kidding me?

The fact of the matter, for good and ill, is that the Thunder are not the Sonics anymore. Sonics fans resent their history being attached to the Thunder. Thunder fans are more than happy to let Sonics fans keep it. I haven't met a person yet who brags about winning a 1979 NBA championship. No one claims Gary Payton or Shawn Kemp. You cannot and will not see any championship banners hanging in the Ford Center dated prior to 2008. There's a banner that says established in 2008, not 1967.

The Thunder should be 30th. Let us earn it. The Thunder could rise to 25 in 5-10 years judging by the current direction of some franchises. That would be a near meteoric rise really.

So thanks but no thanks Mr. Hollinger. We're still on the ground floor and just fine with it.