What the NBA Supersonics Became in 2008

In 2008, the NBA Supersonics relocated to Oklahoma City and became the Thunder.

The NBA Supersonics: A Brief History

The NBA Supersonics began in 1967 as an expansion team based in Seattle, Washington. The team enjoyed early success, making the playoffs in their first season. They won their first division title in 1978 and their first conference title in 1979. They made it to the NBA Finals in 1978, but lost to the Washington Bullets In 1979, they won the NBA Championship defeating the Bullets again.

The team remained competitive through the 1980s and early 1990s, but struggled in the late 1990s. In 2001, they made it back to the NBA Finals but lost to the Michael Jordan led Chicago Bulls After another disappointing season in 2002-03, the team was sold to new ownership. The new owner announced that the team would be moving to Oklahoma City for the start of the 2008-09 season.

The move was met with protests from Seattle fans and lawsuits from local government officials. However, the move went ahead as planned and the Supersonics became the Oklahoma City Thunder The Thunder have enjoyed success since moving to Oklahoma City making the playoffs six times and reaching the Western Conference Finals twice.

The NBA Supersonics: 2008 and Beyond

In 2008, the NBA Supersonics became the NBA Thunder relocating to Oklahoma City and playing their first season there in 2008-2009. The Sonics began in 1967 as an expansion team of the NBA, and they played their first games in 1968. The team became a dynasty in the 1970s with back-to-back NBA championships in 1979 and 1980 led by Head Coach Lenny Wilkens and stars like Jack Sikma, Gus Williams, and Dennis Johnson. The team maintained a level of success throughout the 1990s and 2000s, but they were unable to return to the NBA Finals In 2006, it was announced that the team would be relocated to Oklahoma City following the 2007-2008 season. After just one season in Oklahoma City the team made it all the way to the NBA Finals but ultimately lost to the Miami Heat

The NBA Supersonics: Where are They Now?

The National Basketball Association Supersonics, founded in 1967, was a professional basketball team located in Seattle, Washington. The team played in the NBA until 2008, when they relocated to Oklahoma City and became the Thunder.

In their 41 years in Seattle, the Supersonics won three Western conference championships and one NBA Championship in 1979. The team also made the playoffs 22 times, with a record of 1839-1612. Karl Malone and Gary Payton are among the notable players who donned a Supersonics jersey during their careers.

After 37 years in the same arena, KeyArena, the Supersonics moved to Oklahoma City’s Ford Center in 2008 and became the Thunder. The move was controversial – many fans were upset that their team was leaving Seattle – but it was also seen as a way for the small-market franchise to be more competitive financially.

Since relocating to Oklahoma City the Thunder have been one of the best teams in the NBA. They’ve made the playoffs every year since 2009 and reached the NBA Finals in 2012. With two MVPs (Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook) and several other All-Star caliber players, the Thunder are one of the most talented teams in the league.

The NBA Supersonics: What Happened?

In 2008, the NBA Supersonics became the Oklahoma City Thunder following a controversial relocation from Seattle. The move was spearheaded by then-owner Clay Bennett, who had purchased the team just one year prior with the intention of relocating them.

The decision to relocate the team was highly unpopular with fans in Seattle, who had supported the Supersonics for nearly 40 years. Many blamed Bennett for the move, and he faced lawsuits and public backlash. In the end, though, the relocation was approved and the Supersonics became the Thunder.

The Thunder have been largely successful since moving to Oklahoma City making the playoffs in nine of their first 10 seasons. They even reached the NBA Finals in 2012, losing to the Miami Heat in five games.

Despite their on-court success, many Seattle fans still harbor resentment towards Bennett and the Thunder. The team’s arena is often half-empty on game days, as many fans refuse to support them. And every time the Thunder come to Seattle to play a Preseason Game or exhibition match, they are met with boos and chants of “Traitor!” from disgruntled fans.

The NBA Supersonics: The Legacy

In 2008, the NBA Supersonics became the Oklahoma City Thunder but their legacy as one of the most iconic teams in Basketball History still lives on. The franchise was founded in 1967 and quickly rose to prominence, winning the NBA Championship in 1979. The team was a perennial contender throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, led by stars like Gary Payton and Shawn Kemp

The team’s fortunes began to change in the late 1990s, however, and they were eventually sold to an ownership group that moved them to Oklahoma City in 2008. While the franchise may no longer exist, the Supersonics are still fondly remembered by basketball fans around the world.

The NBA Supersonics: The Fans

The NBA Supersonics were a professional Basketball team that played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) from 1967 to 2008. The team was founded as an expansion team in 1967, and played its home games in Seattle, Washington for 41 years, before relocating to Oklahoma City Oklahoma in 2008 and becoming the Oklahoma City Thunder

The relocation of the Supersonics was widely unpopular in Seattle, and caused many fans to feel betrayed by the team’s owner, Clay Bennett. In the years since the relocation, there have been several efforts to bring NBA basketball back to Seattle, but so far none of them have been successful. TheSupersonics name and logo are currently owned by the Oklahoma City Thunder but there is still a strong desire among many fans for an NBA team in Seattle once again.

The NBA Supersonics: The Players

The National Basketball Association’s (NBA) Seattle SuperSonics were a professional basketball team founded in 1967. The team played in the Western Conference of the NBA throughout their entire history. In 2008, the Supersonics became the Oklahoma City Thunder and now play in the Northwest Division of the NBA’s Western Conference

The NBA Supersonics: The Coaches

The NBA Supersonics: The Coaches
In 2008, the Seattle Supersonics became the Oklahoma City Thunder The team’s colors changed from green and gold to Blue and Orange and their home arena shifted from the KeyArena to the Chesapeake Energy Arena Though the majority of the roster and fan base remained the same, there was one significant change: the Coaching Staff

Head coach P.J. Carlesimo and his assistant coaches were all let go, and replaced by Scott Brooks who had been an Assistant Coach with the Denver Nuggets Under Brooks’s leadership, the Thunder would go on to have great success, reaching the NBA Finals in 2012 and winning multiple division titles.

The NBA Supersonics: The Management

The NBA Supersonics were a professional Basketball team that was based in Seattle, Washington. The franchise was established in 1967 as an expansion team, and they played their home games at the Seattle Center Coliseum. The team was named after the Boeing aircraft company, which is headquartered in the city.

The Supersonics qualified for the playoffs in their first season, and they went on to win the NBA championship in 1979. The team also reached the NBA Finals in 1996, but they lost to the Chicago Bulls In 2008, the franchise was sold to Clay Bennett and his ownership group, who then moved the team to Oklahoma City and renamed them the Thunder.

The NBA Supersonics: The Future

The NBA Supersonics were a relatively new team when they joined the league in 1967. They played their first game in 1968 and quickly developed a reputation as a tough, hard-nosed team. The Supersonics made the playoffs in their first year and went on to win the NBA championship in 1979. The team was relocate to Oklahoma City in 2008 and became the Thunder.