New Orleans Hornets to Seattle? Lots of speculation about whether the Hornets might end up in Seattle. “Game ON,” wrote SonicsCentral. Of course, they’re thinking the same thing in Anaheim and Kansas City, both of which have better arenas.
Locker Left Off All Pac-10 Team: The All-Pac-10 football teams came out today, and Mason Foster was the only Husky on the first team. Chris Polk, Jermaine Kearse and Nate Williams made the second team. Jake Locker joined Victor Aiyewa and Alemeda Ta’amu as an “honorable mention.” So that postseason awards marketing campaign panned out after all!
Sounders Become Citizens: Because Jhon Kennedy Hurtado, Steve Zakuani, and Blaise Nkufo have all gotten green cards, the Sounders have three more slots for international players. Watched Barcelona in the Champions League yesterday, and they have this dude Messi the Sounders might want to go after.
What they’re saying…
“Once we’re someplace, we try to stay there.” – NBA commissioner David Stern (via @mattpitman)
“The prospect of going through the process of ingratiating ourselves to a league that a) already spurned us once, b) is demonstrating a willingness to seize control of failing teams like a state assumes control of failing schools under No Child Left Behind, and c) will likely choose to move elsewhere anyway just sounds sort of exhausting.” — Nate Parham, SB Nation
“Why oh why are the M’s interested in Valbuena?? No no no no nooooooooooo!!!!” — @courtanaaay
“it doesn’t bother me that I’m short. I still do what I’m suppose to do I love being me! Being short makes me who I am!” Isaiah Thomas, via Twitter
“Hhaha Isiah Stanback just walked in the treatment room and tells me ‘looks like u got shot on the bottom of the foot w/ a 12 gauge boy!'” — Mike Williams, via Twitter
In other news…
The 49ers will start Alex Smith at quarterback Sunday against the Seahawks. (stifling laughter.) Smith is 2-5 career against Seattle with a 73.9 passer rating.
According to advanced football stats, the Seahawks are the 3rd-worst team in the NFL.
More free agent/trade names linked to the Mariners: Former M’s Luis Valbuena and Miguel Olivo, journeyman starter (and Mount Vernon High grad) Mark Hendrickson and Jorge Cantu. Um. Excited for Opening Day yet?
The nominees for Sports Star of the Year (formerly P-I Sports Star of the Year) are out.
Ken Griffey Sr. will manage the minor league Bakersfield Blaze this season. Guest hugging coach Ken Griffey Jr.?
Jackson High’s Brett Kingma dropped 32 on Edmonds-Woodway last night. Kingma’s an Oregon recruit–but they could probably use him right now.
Two huge Pac-10 hoops games tonight: #15 San Diego St. at Cal, and Gonzaga at Wazzu. Husky fans, you want your league to start racking up some non-conference wins. Note: if you are a big Pac-10 hoops fan, check out 18 And Life, the Pac-10 hoops podcast I do with Jeff Nusser of CougCenter.
Today in SPNW…
Stanley Holmes on Sounders owner Joe Roth’s fan-angering opposition to more seats for opposing team’s supporters at Qwest.
Doug Farrar on how a play run as a tribute to Walter Jones turned into a big weapon for the Seahawks Sunday.
Today’s action…
College hoops: Gonzaga @ Washington State, 8 p.m. (FSN)