DigeeBooks

This is the untold story of the city of Seattle, their beloved Sonics, and how the legacy of their stolen team created a transcendent hoops culture and a pipeline of NBA All-Stars, champions and icons with roots in the Emerald City and the Pacific Northwest. 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.

Hoops Heist: Seattle, the Sonics, and How a Stolen Team's Legacy Gave Rise to the NBA's Secret Empire, written by Jon Finkel, is an eye-opening look into the controversial relocation of the beloved Seattle SuperSonics basketball team to Oklahoma City in 2008. This deeply researched and compelling book unravels the intricate web of events and power plays that led to the Sonics' controversial departure, exposing the hidden agendas and greed underlying the decision.

Finkel masterfully narrates the tale of the Sonics' rise as a basketball powerhouse in the 1970s, culminating in their historic NBA championship victory in 1979. He introduces the key figures involved, including team owner Howard Schultz, who spearheaded the Sonics' relocation, as well as former NBA Commissioner David Stern, who played a crucial role in facilitating the move.

Through meticulous research and insightful storytelling, Finkel uncovers the secret negotiations, legal battles, and backroom deals that unfolded behind closed doors. He sheds light on the political maneuvering and financial incentives that influenced the outcome, casting doubt on the NBA's claims that the move was necessary to ensure the Sonics' long-term viability.

Finkel's investigative journalism exposes the hidden empire within the NBA, revealing how team owners use their collective power to protect their own interests, often at the expense of fans and players. He argues that the Sonics' relocation set a dangerous precedent, paving the way for future team relocations and ultimately weakening the league's connection to its fan base.

Hoops Heist is a meticulously crafted narrative that exposes the inner workings of the NBA, challenging the league's official story and revealing the hidden truths behind the Sonics' controversial relocation. It is a must-read for basketball fans, sports enthusiasts, and anyone interested in the intersection of sports, power, and money.