Northwest Sports: In the Morning

Bennett v. Seattle begins today.

Save our Sonics is having a rally at 4pm outside the courthouse. By pure coincidence, this is the same time Clay Bennett will be testifying. Should make for an interesting atmosphere. Gary Payton, Xavier McDaniel, Jamal Crawford, Will Conroy and Spencer Hawes are all planning to be there, according to SonicsCentral.

Greg Nickels testifies today. The Times promises live updates throughout the day.

Greg Johns of the P-I has an interesting look at how things might play out, including this, which I haven't heard before--if Bennett wins, and Schultz files an injunction to stop him from moving the team, he (Schultz) would have to put up a bond to cover the Sonics losses if he lost the case. That bond could be in excess of $40 million.

The Times' Jim Brunner profiled Judge Marsha Pechman, who, according to colleagues, "could give a rip" about sports. This is bad news for us--I think we'd be better off with a judge who understands what it's like to live and die with a sports team.

What can you say about the M's? Swept at home by the worst team in the NL--not only that, but a team without their top two hitters (Zimmerman and Johnson), the M's are 21 games under .500 and 17.5 back of the Angels.

Here's one thing: if there were a division for last place teams, the M's would be 10 games back in that division. (Toronto's last place in the AL East at 35-36).

"We should be booed," Jarrod Washburn told John Hickey.

Willie Bloomquist tells occasional mag contributor Howie Stalwick in the Kitsap Sun that he's going to explore a move to the National League. This garners the predictable amount of derision from USS Mariner commenters, but Willie Ballgame's point is taken--his skills are better suited for the NL, and he probably would play more on an NL team.

Also, Bloomquist has an interesting comment on the "chemistry" issue: "I hate even talking about chemistry. What is it? Do you mesh well together, don't mesh; I don't know. I've been on the team where guys hated each other, but you know what? When it came time to play, we were good. I've been on teams where everyone seems to get along and like each other, and we don't play well. I think that 'chemistry' is an overrated term. I know this team gets along well together. I don't know of anyone who dislikes anyone else on this team. We're all a bunch of good dudes, I think."

As badly as they've struggled on the road, it's even more important than ever that the Storm maintain their undefeated home record, writes Jayda Evans. The Storm host Connecticut tonight. The 8-2 Sun have the best record in the WNBA. Former Storm forward Barbara Turner is flourishing with the Sun, writes Darren Fessenden.

Seattle Rotary (Peyton Siva and Tony Wroten's AAU team) had an amazing game against Northwest Panthers (Abdul Gaddy and Avery Bradley) at the Rose City Classic over the weekend. The Oregonian provides this play-by-play.

Ready for a possible recruit from the Class of 2013? I'm not sure I am, but decide for yourself: Meet Nigel Williams-Goss, a Portland 7th-grader who is playing 17-and-under AAU ball.

Romar signed another relatively unknown recruit, Charles Garcia, Jr., a JC forward.

That US Open playoff is on, you can watch it live here.

Finally, here's a team that has fun at the ballpark...the Texas Rangers, slipping and sliding on the tarp during a rain delay.




Via With Leather