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Paul Allen. A true Seattle guy.

Only two people voted to keep the Sonics in Seattle. Those votes came from Mr. Paul Allen and Mr. Mark Cuban. These are two men who know a thing or two about making money, sure. But they also know quite a lot about owning a professional sports team, and doing so honorably where money isn't the bottom line to every question asked. It's almost bittersweet that Allen and Cuban were the only two people fighting to keep the Sonics where they belong. You see, they not only represent what NBA owners should be, but also the exact opposite of what Howard Schultz and Clay Bennett are. 

Paul Allen, who owns the Portland Trailblazers, stepped in to rescue the Seahawks franchise under similar circumstances a decade ago. He recognized how important professional sports were to Seattle folks, and dug his heels into the ground to make the team more profitable. It wasn't a victory that was won overnight. But what I can say is that Paul Allen fought the battle, and won. If you need any proof , look at the Seahawks record these past few seasons. Howard Schultz, on the other hand? He saw the fight, and ran from it. 

It almost makes sense. Howard Schultz isn't from Seattle, he's a New Yorker. But Paul Allen, he grew up with the Space Needle in the distance. He went to the same high school as I did. He's a Seattle guy, born and bred. That's why Allen saved the Seahawks. He probably spent Thanksgivings watching the team with his cousins, like I did. But Howard Schultz? He didn't grow up on Sonics basketball, and he didn't care to fight the good fight. 

And as the Sonics are poised to move, all I can really ask for is for Howard Schultz to move with them. He doesn't belong in Seattle, he proved that himself.