Extra Points

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December 23, 2008 8:41 AM

A reason to watch the NBA?

Today's column is about how many Seattle-bred NBA players are thriving, led by Brandon Roy. It's an interesting situation because even though the NBA has turned its back on this city, Seattle continues to supply the league with some of its most promising talent.

This column isn't an attempt to woo you back to the league. If you're still upset with Czar Stern and others about what happened with the Sonics, believe me, I'm with you. I still watch portions of NBA games because I love basketball, but it's difficult to truly invest in the league since I'm no longer able to cover the Sonics. Nevertheless, there are some locals worth following.

Usually, during a televised NBA game this season, I peek at a quarter here and there. But last Thursday, I was fully engaged in Brandon Roy's 52-point outburst against the Phoenix Suns. He's a remarkable talent who continues to improve. When you think he's gotten as good as he will get, he adds another dimension to his game. The biggest criticism of Roy used to be that he'll never be a scorer on the level of Kobe Bryant or LeBron James. Well, this season Roy has shown that, when needed, he can put up 30 points. In addition, he's so versatile that he can make an 18-point performance seem like so much more because of his ability to pass, defend and even rebound. He's quickly becoming my favorite basketball player.

(Of course, as my luck would have it, I praised Roy on a day when he had his worst game of the season, a 3-for-11 performance in a loss to Denver. Oh well.)

So, here's the dilemma: Do you continue to ignore the NBA? Or do you support Seattle's finest?

Or do you just need more time?

There's no wrong answer. People grieve differently.

But it's good to know that even though the NBA has taken away the Sonics, it can't stop depending on Seattle basketball players. It just goes to show that the city is -- and always will be -- more important that a single sports league.

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Comments

Jerry, glad you posted this question. I've been wrestling with it this year too. I'm in the anti-Stern, NBA-has-deminished,... Posted on December 28, 2008 at 10:05 PM by dcagen. Jump to comment

Glad to hear they are doing so well, but I quit on the NBA and I will never go back. Posted on December 25, 2008 at 7:01 PM by shemberry. Jump to comment

Where I live, there's only one reason to watch the NBA - Marvin Williams. Give some love to the 3-6-0 - and $11.50 for the ferry. Posted on December 23, 2008 at 8:30 PM by good ol' george. Jump to comment

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