Synopsis
Few cities in the history of modern sports had a visceral connection to a professional sports team like the citizens of Seattle and their Sonics. Beginning with their first season in 1967 through their last in 2008, the city's love affair with their team and players was unlike any other. From Lenny Wilkens, Spencer Haywood, Slick Watts, "Downtown" Freddie Brown and Jack Sikma, through Gary Payton and Shawn Kemp and the electric 90s era, all the way up to Ray Allen's run and Kevin Durant's single season, Hoops Heist explores the incredible impact of the Sonics locally and the importance of the franchise nationally. Featuring exhaustive research and exclusive interviews with Seattle legends, NBA Hall of Famers and the players who came of age in the Sonics' shadow, including Isaiah Thomas, Brandon Roy, Doug Christie, Jason Terry, Nate Robinson, Jamal Crawford and more, Hoops Heist captures the transcendence of the Pacific Northwest's basketball scene and its ongoing influence in today's NBA.
The book explores the passionate fan base of the Sonics and their deep-rooted connection to the city of Seattle. Finkel recounts the heartbreaking relocation of the team to Oklahoma City in 2008 and the subsequent legal battles between the city of Seattle and the NBA.
However, the story doesn't end there. Finkel goes on to uncover the untold story of how the Sonics' departure ultimately led to the rise of a secretive NBA empire. He reveals the behind-the-scenes dealings and power struggles within the NBA that transformed the league into a billion-dollar business.
Through meticulous research and interviews with key figures, Finkel paints a vivid picture of the Sonics' legacy and the impact their relocation had on the NBA landscape. "Hoops Heist" is a compelling read for basketball fans and anyone interested in the business of sports.