Sonicsgate (2009)Exposing the truth behind the Seattle SuperSonics' tragic exodus after 41 years in the Emerald City. Director:Jason Reid |
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Sonicsgate (2009)Exposing the truth behind the Seattle SuperSonics' tragic exodus after 41 years in the Emerald City. Director:Jason Reid |
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| Watch Trailer 0Share... |
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
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John Keister | ... |
Himself - Narrator
(voice)
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Kevin Calabro | ... |
Himself - Sports Broadcaster, KIRO710
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Percy Allen | ... |
Himself - Sportswriter, Seattle Times
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Chris Daniels | ... |
Himself - News Reporter, KING5
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Art Thiel | ... |
Himself - Sports Columnist, Seattle PI
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Steve Kelley | ... |
Himself - Sports Columnist, Seattle Times
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Slade Gorton | ... |
Himself - Former U.S. Senator
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Sam Perkins | ... |
Himself - NBA Player
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Brent Barry | ... |
Himself - NBA Player
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Nick Collison | ... |
Himself - NBA Player
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Desmond Mason | ... |
Himself - NBA Player
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Jamal Crawford | ... |
Himself - NBA Player
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Aaron Brooks | ... |
Himself - NBA Player
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Doug Christie | ... |
Himself - NBA Player
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Jim McIlvaine | ... |
Himself - NBA Player
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"Sonicsgate" is a feature documentary film exposing the truth behind how Seattle lost the SuperSonics after a heated legal battle in 2008. The perfect storm of corporate greed and political impotence formed to rob loyal Seattle sports fans of their oldest professional franchise. The team's celebrated 41-year run in Seattle included an NBA Championship, three Western Conference titles, six division titles and legendary players such as Gary Payton, Shawn Kemp, Ray Allen, Tom Chambers, Xavier McDaniel, Jack Sikma, Freddy Brown, Slick Watts and Spencer Haywood... just to name a few. As NBA salaries skyrocketed following the 1999 player lockout, the league's business model changed to require expansive new buildings paid for with taxpayer dollars. Seattle's KeyArena, built in 1995 as a remodel of the old Seattle Coliseum, just wouldn't cut it anymore according to NBA Commissioner David Stern. Faced with operating losses and political leadership that was extremely adverse to stadium funding,... Written by Adam Brown
I wasn't expecting this feature to be so well-made and intriguing. I decided to glance thru it just to see the contents. But one minute into it, i was truly engaged.
the filmmaker does a great job giving the sports history of the City of Seattle and the history of the Sonics. It made me understand why the citizens of Seattle loved their basketball. Being a fan of the Sonics' bitter rival, the Portland trailblazers, i found myself becoming a fan of the Sonics and a fan of the Sonics' fan. In saying that, i found it heartbreaking to see what happened to the organization, the city, and the fans.
I couldn't give it a full 10 stars just because it felt a little too biased. Some more perspective from the NBA and Bennett would have been nice, but i guess since they declined to be interviewed, we're not able to see that. Overall, a very excellent doc! PS. I hope Seattle does get another NBA franchise, and hopefully not at the expense of another struggling city.