Seattle SuperSonics

Seattle SuperSonics are a former American professional basketball team that was based in Seattle, Washington from 1967 to 2008. The team colors were green, gold and white.

In the 1968-69 season, Lenny Wilkens displayed a robust all-around game and averaged 22.4 ppg, 8.2 apg and 6.2 rpg. Bob Rule also improved his rookie statistics to 24 ppg and 11.5 rpg. However, the SuperSonics won just 30 games and hence Bianchi was substituted by Wilkens. In the 1979-71 season, Wilkens became the 1971 All-Star Game MVP. In the following season, the SuperSonics recorded the winning season at 47-35.

In 1975, the head coach Bill Russell coached the SuperSonics to the playoffs for the first time. This team defeated the Detroit Pistons in a three game mini-series. In 1976, although Brown and Burleson played well at 28.5 ppg and 20.8 ppg, the SuperSonics lost to the Phoenix Suns in the playoffs.

In the 1976-77 season, the SuperSonics won 11 of the initial 12 games under Wilkens and completed the season at 47-35 and won the Western Conference title. In the 1978-79 season, the SuperSonics defeated the Bullets in five games and won the NBA title.

In October 1983, Sam Schulman, who was the original team owner, sold the team to Barry Ackerley.

In the 1992-93 season, Gary Payton and Shawn Kemp displayed considerable improvement and the team created a 55-27 record. In the Western Conference finals, the SuperSonics took the Phoenix Suns to seven games. In 1993-94, the SuperSonics had the best record in the NBA at 63-19.

The Kingdome was the home arena from 1978 to 1985. The Tacoma Dome was the home arena for 1994-95. The KeyArena or the Seattle Center Coliseum was the home arena thrice between 1967-78, 1985-94, 1995 to present.

In the history of the team, only Lenny Wilkens has entered the Basketball Hall of Famers. He was the player and head coach for the 1979 Championship team. Currently, the head coach is P.J. Carlesimo and the assistant coaches are Paul Westhead, Walt Rock, Ralph Lewis, Brian Keefe, Mark Bryant and Scott Brooks.

On 22nd May 2007, the team was awarded the 2nd pick in the 2007 NBA draft. This is the highest draft position, this team has ever held. On 28th June 2007, the SuperSonics traded Ray Allen and Glen Davis in the 2007 NBA Draft to the Boston Celtics. On 11the July 2007, the SuperSonics and the Orlando Magic acceded a trade of Rashard Lewis. From the Magic, the SuperSonics got a future second-round draft pick and a 9.5 million USD trace exception. On 20th July, the SuperSonics used this trade exception to pick Kurt Thomas.

Major Achievements

Championship in 1979, 3 conference titles and 6 division titles.

After failing to reach an agreement on a new arena in Seattle in 2008 the franchise relocated to Oklahoma City under the name Oklahoma City Thunder.