2007–08 Seattle SuperSonics season

The 2007–08 Seattle SuperSonics season was the 41st and final season of the Seattle SuperSonics in the National Basketball Association (NBA) and the franchise's final season of play in Seattle before relocating to Oklahoma City to play as the Thunder. With the hiring of new head coach P. J. Carlesimo as replacement of Bob Hill, who was fired at the end of the previous season,[1] the SuperSonics finished in 15th and last place in the Western Conference with a franchise worst 20–62 record. Seattle's first round draft pick and number two overall Kevin Durant was chosen as the Rookie of the Year at the end of the season.

2007–08 Seattle SuperSonics season
Head coachP. J. Carlesimo
General managerSam Presti
OwnersClay Bennett
ArenaKeyArena at Seattle Center
Results
Record2062 (.244)
PlaceDivision: 5th (Northwest)
Conference: 15th (Western)
Playoff finishDid not qualify

Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
Television
RadioKPTK

As of 2023, the only remaining Sonics in the NBA are Jeff Green of the Houston Rockets and Kevin Durant of the Phoenix Suns, after Nick Collison retired in 2018. Collison was also the last remaining player on the Thunder roster who previously played for the Sonics team, with Russell Westbrook and Serge Ibaka being drafted under the SuperSonics name in 2008 before moving to Oklahoma City. Until 2019, Mark Bryant was also the last Sonics coach to remain with the franchise on the Thunder roster. General manager Sam Presti is currently the last remaining Sonics staff member to remain with the franchise on the Thunder roster as of 2020.

Offseason

Following Bob Hill and Rick Sund's departures as head coach and general manager respectively,[1] President of Basketball Operations Lenny Wilkens was charged with the responsibility of finding replacements.[2] For the general manager position, Wilkens hired Sam Presti[3] and months later P. J. Carlesimo was appointed as head coach of the Sonics.[4] Wilkens quit a day later.[5] Presti's first order of business involved a trade with the Boston Celtics on draft day that sent Ray Allen and the SuperSonics' second round pick Glen Davis to Boston in exchange for the Celtics' first round pick Jeff Green, Wally Szczerbiak and Delonte West.[6] Weeks later the free agent period began, and the SuperSonics' front office needed to reach a decision regarding Rashard Lewis' future, since Lewis opted out of his final two years and became one of the most prized free agents in the offseason.[7] The team finally agreed to a sign and trade deal with the Orlando Magic.[8] The other trade the Sonics made during the offseason brought 12-year veteran Kurt Thomas from the Phoenix Suns.[9]

The SuperSonics began preparations for the regular season on July 7, kicking off Summer League games in Las Vegas.[10] The team finished with a 2–6 overall record, with rookies Kevin Durant and Jeff Green leading the team in scoring in the majority of the matches.[11][12]

Draft picks

At the 2007 Draft Lottery the SuperSonics got the second overall pick behind the Portland Trail Blazers,[13] matching their highest overall selection in franchise history.[14] With their first round pick the SuperSonics selected Kevin Durant from Texas and forwards Carl Landry and Glen Davis in the second round. Davis and Landry were traded on draft day to the Boston Celtics and the Houston Rockets[15] respectively.

Round Pick Player Position Nationality College/Team
1 2 Kevin Durant SF  United States Texas
2 32 Carl Landry PF  United States Purdue
2 35 Glen Davis (traded to Boston) PF  United States LSU

Pre-season

The SuperSonics kicked off a ten-game pre-season on October 9, with a 98–104 loss visiting the Sacramento Kings. Following a victory against the Cleveland Cavaliers in their next match three days later, the SuperSonics went on a 5-game losing streak before closing the exhibition tour with a victory against the Phoenix Suns in Vancouver, Canada.

Game log

2007 pre-season game log
Pre-season: 2–6 (home: 1–2; road: 1–4)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
1 October 9 @ Sacramento L 98–104 Damien Wilkins (18) Nick Collison (9) Delonte West (6) ARCO Arena
13,284
0–1
2 October 12 @ Cleveland W 96–90 Chris Wilcox (20) Nick Collison (11) Earl Watson (6) Quicken Loans Arena
15,878
1–1
3 October 13 @ Indiana L 87–97 Kevin Durant (21) Mouhamed Sene (15) Four players (4) Conseco Fieldhouse
10,796
1–2
4 October 18 @ L. A. Lakers L 106–126 Kevin Durant (19) Robert Swift (8) Luke Ridnour (8) Bakersfield, California
6,016
1–3
5 October 20 Houston L 94–117 Kevin Durant (25) Kurt Thomas (12) Delonte West (7) KeyArena
10,854
1–4
6 October 23 Golden State L 122–126 (OT) Damien Wilkins (27) Chris Wilcox (12) Earl Watson (14) KeyArena
9,861
1–5
7 October 24 @ Portland L 107–109 Nick Collison (17) Chris Wilcox (7) Luke Ridnour (8) Rose Garden
11,342
1–6
8 October 26 Phoenix W 109–107 Chris Wilcox (27) Nick Collison (11) Delonte West (9) General Motors Place
17,704
2–6
2007–08 season schedule

Roster

2007–08 Seattle SuperSonics roster
Players Coaches
Pos.No.NameHeightWeightDOBFrom
PF 4 Collison, Nick 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 255 lb (116 kg) 1980-10-26 Kansas
SF 12 Dupree, Ronald 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 209 lb (95 kg) 1981-01-26 LSU
SG 35 Durant, Kevin (C) 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1988-09-29 Texas
C 16 Elson, Francisco 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 235 lb (107 kg) 1976-02-28 California
SG 15 Gelabale, Mickaël Injured 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1983-05-22 France
SF 22 Green, Jeff 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 235 lb (107 kg) 1986-08-28 Georgetown
SF 44 Griffin, Adrian 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 230 lb (104 kg) 1974-07-04 Seton Hall
PF 42 Marshall, Donyell 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 245 lb (111 kg) 1973-05-18 Connecticut
C 27 Petro, Johan 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 247 lb (112 kg) 1986-01-27 France
PG 8 Ridnour, Luke 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 1981-02-13 Oregon
C 18 Sene, Mouhamed 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 230 lb (104 kg) 1986-05-12 Senegal
C 31 Swift, Robert Injured 7 ft 1 in (2.16 m) 245 lb (111 kg) 1985-12-03 Bakersfield HS (CA)
PG 25 Watson, Earl 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1979-06-12 UCLA
PF 54 Wilcox, Chris Injured 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 235 lb (107 kg) 1982-09-03 Maryland
SF 21 Wilkins, Damien 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 1980-01-11 Georgia
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)

Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • (DL) On assignment to D-League affiliate
  • Injured Injured

Roster
Last transaction: April 26, 2008

Regular season

Kevin Durant and Jeff Green's regular season debuts were in doubt, since each player had to deal with sprained ankle injuries during the pre-season.[16] Durant managed to return in time for the season opener on Halloween night, scoring 18 points in a loss against the Denver Nuggets.[17] After their home opener (a loss against the Phoenix Suns), chances for the team to remain in Seattle took a heavy blow, as Sonics' owner Clay Bennett made public his desire to relocate the team to Oklahoma City.[18] The SuperSonics remained on a losing streak that reached 8 games,[19] their worst start in franchise history,[20] and remained the only team in the league without a win before defeating the Miami Heat, followed by a Durant game-winner two days later to get past the Atlanta Hawks.[21] The SuperSonics finished the month of November snapping a 6-game losing streak[19] with their first home victory in a game against the Indiana Pacers, with Durant scoring a career-high 35 points.[22] Before the win against the Pacers, the Sonics where 0–7 at home.[19]

The Sonics registered their best record of the season in December,[19] struggling with injuries to Luke Ridnour, Delonte West and Kurt Thomas adding to the absence of center Robert Swift.[23][24] Kevin Durant matched again his career-high 35 points in a win against the Milwaukee Bucks,[25] one of their four victories at home that month. After a 2–3 road trip that ended with a loss against the Utah Jazz in which the Sonics were held to one of their lowest scoring outputs in the season,[19] the team returned to the KeyArena to close the year with a 5-game homestand.

After a loss against the Philadelphia 76ers in the last game of 2007, the Sonics went on their longest losing streak of the season,[19] dropping their first 13 games of January in a combined franchise worst 14-game losing streak.[26] During the first games of the month, the team were without the services of their second best scorer Chris Wilcox[27] and point guard Luke Ridnour, who were sidelined with injuries.[28] The Sonics halted the streak by defeating the defending champions San Antonio Spurs and proceeded to win their next two games at home.

After managing to win only 2 of their 16 games in January, the SuperSonics finished February with a 4–8 record and snapped an 8-game losing streak of road games with a victory against the Sacramento Kings, obtaining their first road win since mid-December.[19] Robert Swift returned from his injuries and played his first game since November 11 in a loss against the Chicago Bulls,[29] but would be sidelined for the remainder of the season after two more appearances.[30] The SuperSonics reached the All-Star break with a 13–38 record,[19] 10 games behind their worst record in franchise history at the time.[31] Rookies Kevin Durant and Jeff Green participated in the T-Mobile Rookie Challenge against the second-year players.[32] Near the trade deadline, the Sonics sent Kurt Thomas to the San Antonio Spurs for Brent Barry, Francisco Elson and a 2009 second round draft pick.[33] Barry was waived the next day.[34] The Sonics made one more move before the deadline, that sent Wally Szczerbiak and Delonte West to the Cleveland Cavaliers in a three-team deal with the Chicago Bulls.[35]

The Sonics finished the month of March with their worse record in the regular season, winning only two games, with losing streaks of 11 and 3 games.[19] At this point the Sonics had a 17–57 record and were six games away from their franchise worst 23–59. On March 16, the Denver Nuggets dealt the Sonics their worst loss in franchise history,[36] with a 116–168 score. It was the most points the Nuggets' scored since a January 11, 1984, game against the San Antonio Spurs.[37] Nearing the end of the month, injuries plagued the roster. Mickaël Gelabale tore his ACL during a practice and was out for the remainder of the season.[38] Chris Wilcox re-injured his pinky finger, an injury that ultimately made him miss the remainder of the season,[39] and Nick Collison and Francisco Elson were also sidelined with other injuries.[40]

In April, the Sonics stretched their March losing streak to five games before winning in a double overtime match against the Denver Nuggets. After losing another three straight games, the Sonics played their last home game in Seattle, defeating the Dallas Mavericks 99–95 and closing the regular season with a road victory against the Golden State Warriors. The SuperSonics finished the season with a 20–62 overall record, their worst in franchise history.

Standings

W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-Utah Jazz5428.65937–417–2413–3
x-Denver Nuggets5032.610433–817–2410–6
Portland Trail Blazers4141.5001328–1313–2810–6
Minnesota Timberwolves2260.2683215–267–343–13
Seattle SuperSonics2062.2443413–287–346–10
#
Team W L PCT GB
1 c-Los Angeles Lakers5725.695
2 y-New Orleans Hornets5626.6831
3 x-San Antonio Spurs5626.6831
4 y-Utah Jazz5428.6593
5 x-Houston Rockets5527.6712
6 x-Phoenix Suns5527.6712
7 x-Dallas Mavericks5131.6226
8 x-Denver Nuggets5032.6107
9 Golden State Warriors4834.5859
10 Portland Trail Blazers4141.50016
11 Sacramento Kings3844.46319
12 Los Angeles Clippers2359.28034
13 Minnesota Timberwolves2260.26835
14 Memphis Grizzlies2260.26835
15 Seattle SuperSonics2062.24437

Record vs. opponents

2007-08 NBA Records
Team ATL BOS CHA CHI CLE DAL DEN DET GSW HOU IND LAC LAL MEM MIA MIL MIN NJN NOH NYK ORL PHI PHO POR SAC SAS SEA TOR UTA WAS
Atlanta 0–32–22–21–21–11–10–41–10–21–21–11–12–03–12–22–01–30–24–02–23–11–10–21–10–21–11–21–12–2
Boston 3–03–14–02–22–01–12–11–12–03–02–02–02–04–04–02–04–01–14–01–23–11–12–02–02–02–03–11–10–3
Charlotte 2–21–31–31–30–21–10–31–10–23–12–01–11–13–11–22–01–30–21–21–31–20–22–00–20–22–02–21–11–3
Chicago 2–20–43–13–10–21–13–11–10–22–21–10–21–12–13–11–11–20–22–20–41–30–20–21–10–22–01–21–11–2
Cleveland 2–12–23–11–31–10–21–31–10–24–02–02–02–03–01–32–01–30–22–11–32–10–22–02–01–11–13–11–12–2
Dallas 1–10–22–02–01–11–21–13–13–11–14–01–34–02–01–13–01–12–22–02–01–12–12–22–11–33–11–12–20–2
Denver 1–11–11–11–12–02–10–23–12–21–13–10–34–02–01–14–02–01–21–11–11–12–22–22–12–23–12–01–32–0
Detroit 4–01–23–01–33–11–12–02–01–14–02–01–12–04–03–12–03–02–02–22–22–22–01–10–22–02–03–10–22–1
Golden State 1–11–11–11–11–11–31–30–22–21–13–12–24–02–02–03–11–11–21–11–12–02–22–23–12–12–12–00–32–0
Houston 2–00–22–02–02–01–32–21–12–22–03–02–13–11–12–03–02–02–22–01–10–22–24–02–22–24–01–11–22–0
Indiana 2–10–31–32–20–41–11–10–41–10–21–10–21–13–13–11–12–21–14–01–23–00–22–01–10–21–11–31–12–2
L.A. Clippers 1–10–20–21–10–20–41–30–21–30–31–10–43–11–11–11–32–00–42–00–20–21–30–33–10–32–11–11–30–2
L.A. Lakers 1–10–21–12–00–23–13–01–12–21–22–04–02–12–01–13–01–12–22–01–12–03–12–23–12–24–02–03–12–0
Memphis 0–20–21–11–10–20–40–40–20–41–31–11–31–22–00–22–22–00–42–01–10–20–30–32–21–33–10–20–31–1
Miami 1–30–41–31–20–30–20–20–40–21–11–31–10–20–22–21–11–20–21–30–40–31–10–21–10–21–10–41–10–4
Milwaukee 2–20–42–11–33–11–11–11–30–20–21–31–11–12–02–21–10–40–21–31–31–20–20–20–20–21–11–20–22–2
Minnesota 0–20–20–21–10–20–30–40–21–30–31–13–10–32–21–11–11–11–31–11–11–12–20–42–10–41–30–22–20–2
New Jersey 3–10–43–12–13–11–10–20–31–10–22–20–21–10–22–14–01–10–21–31–32–20–21–10–20–22–01–31–12–1
New Orleans 2–01–12–02–02–02–22–10–22–12–21–14–02–24–02–02–03–12–02–01–12–04–02–21–22–23–01–11–30–2
New York 0–40–42–12–21–20–21–12–21–10–20–40–20–20–23–13–11–13–10–21–31–30–20–20–20–20–21–31–12–1
Orlando 2–22–13–14–03–10–21–12–21–11–12–12–01–11–14–03–11–13–11–13–13–10–22–01–10–22–02–10–23–1
Philadelphia 1–31–32–13–11–21–11–12–20–22–00–32–00–22–03–02–11–12–20–23–11–31–11–11–11–12–01–30–22–2
Phoenix 1–11–12–02–02–01–22–20–22–22–22–03–11–33–01–12–02–22–00–42–02–01–13–04–03–14–02–01–22–0
Portland 2–00–20–22–00–22–22–21–12–20–40–23–02–23–02–02–04–01–12–22–00–21–10–31–30–32–21–13–11–1
Sacramento 1–10–22–01–10–21–21–22–01–32–21–11–31–32–21–12–01–22–02–12–01–11–10–43–11–33–11–12–20–2
San Antonio 2–00–22–02–01–13–12–20–21–22–22–03–02–23–12–02–04–02–02–22–02–01–11–33–03–12–11–12–22–0
Seattle 1–10–20–20–21–11–31–30–21–20–41–11–20–41–31–11–13–10–20–32–00–20–20–42–21–31–21–10–40–2
Toronto 2–11–32–22–11–31–10–21–30–21–13–11–10–22–04–02–12–03–11–13–11–23–10–21–11–11–11–10–21–3
Utah 1–11–11–11–11–12–23–12–03–02–11–13–11–33–01–12–02–21–13–11–12–02–02–11–32–22–24–02–02–0
Washington 2–23–03–12–12–22–00–21–20–20–22–22–00–21–14–02–22–01–22–01–21–32–20–21–12–00–22–03–10–2

Game log

2007–08 game log
Total: 20–62 (Home: 13–28; Road: 7–34)
October: 0–1 (home: 0–0; road: 0–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
1 October 31 @ Denver L 103–120 Damien Wilkins (21) Nick Collison (11) Earl Watson (7) Pepsi Center
19,380
0–1
November : 3–13 (home: 1–7; road: 2–6)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
2 November 1 Phoenix L 99–106 Kevin Durant (27) Chris Wilcox (11) Earl Watson (8) KeyArena
17,072
0–2
3 November 4 @ L. A. Clippers L 101–115 Kevin Durant (24) Nick Collison (10) Damien Wilkins (6) Staples Center
17,376
0–3
4 November 6 @ Sacramento L 98–104 Wally Szczerbiak (32) Chris Wilcox (10) Earl Watson (8) ARCO Arena
14,908
0–4
5 November 7 Memphis L 98–105 Chris Wilcox (21) Chris Wilcox
Nick Collison
(8)
Earl Watson (8) KeyArena
10,761
0–5
6 November 9 Utah L 101–103 Kevin Durant (20) Nick Collison (12) Earl Watson (11) KeyArena
15,980
0–6
7 November 11 Detroit L 103–107 Kevin Durant (19) Chris Wilcox (9) Luke Ridnour (7) KeyArena
16,379
0–7
8 November 13 @ Orlando L 76–103 Nick Collison (15) Jeff Green (7) Delonte West
Earl Watson
(4)
Amway Arena
16,101
0–8
9 November 14 @ Miami W 104–95 Chris Wilcox (20) Nick Collison (11) Delonte West
Earl Watson
(6)
American Airlines Arena
19,600
1–8
10 November 16 @ Atlanta W 126–123 (2OT) Damien Wilkins (41) Nick Collison (14) Earl Watson (9) Philips Arena
13,534
2–8
11 November 17 @ Charlotte L 84–100 Chris Wilcox (24) Chris Wilcox (9) Earl Watson (5) Charlotte Bobcats Arena
13,697
2–9
12 November 19 @ Memphis L 108–125 Delonte West (17) Jeff Green (14) Damien Wilkins (6) FedExForum
10,863
2–10
13 November 23 New Jersey L 93–98 Delonte West (17) Jeff Green (14) Kurt Thomas
Earl Watson
Nick Collison
(3)
KeyArena
14,424
2–11
14 November 25 San Antonio L 101–116 Wally Szczerbiak (27) Kurt Thomas (7) Delonte West (5) KeyArena
14,186
2–12
15 November 27 @ L. A. Lakers L 99–106 Kevin Durant (25) Kurt Thomas (13) Earl Watson (6) Staples Center
18,997
2–13
16 November 28 Orlando L 94–110 Kevin Durant (22) Kurt Thomas (14) Kevin Durant
Earl Watson
(4)
KeyArena
12,398
2–14
17 November 30 Indiana W 95–93 Kevin Durant (35) Kurt Thomas (18) Earl Watson (11) KeyArena
14,786
3–14
December : 6–8 (home: 4–4; road: 2–4)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
18 December 2 Golden State L 96–109 Chris Wilcox
Earl Watson
(16)
Chris Wilcox (11) Earl Watson (5) KeyArena
11,461
3–15
19 December 5 L. A. Clippers W 95–88 Nick Collison (18) Nick Collison (17) Earl Watson (6) KeyArena
10,961
4–15
20 December 7 Milwaukee W 104–98 Kevin Durant (35) Chris Wilcox (13) Earl Watson (9) KeyArena
13,142
5–15
21 December 9 @ New Orleans L 88–91 Kevin Durant (23) Nick Collison
Chris Wilcox
(12)
Earl Watson (8) New Orleans Arena
10,773
5–16
22 December 11 @ Chicago L 96–123 Kevin Durant (16) Jeff Green (6) Earl Watson (6) United Center
21,772
5–17
23 December 12 @ New York W 117–110 Kevin Durant (30) Kurt Thomas (8) Kevin Durant
Earl Watson
(4)
Madison Square Garden
17,637
6–17
24 December 14 @ Minnesota W 99–88 Chris Wilcox (19) Chris Wilcox (11) Earl Watson (8) Target Center
16,523
7–17
25 December 15 @ Utah L 75–96 Wally Szczerbiak (24) Nick Collison (9) Earl Watson (5) EnergySolutions Arena
19,911
7–18
26 December 19 New Orleans L 93–107 Kevin Durant (18) Nick Collison (9) Kevin Durant
Jeff Green
(5)
KeyArena
11,968
7–19
27 December 21 Toronto W 123–115 Kevin Durant (27) Nick Collison (10) Earl Watson (7) KeyArena
13,661
8–19
28 December 25 @ Portland L 79–89 Kevin Durant (23) Nick Collison (14) Earl Watson (11) Rose Garden
20,527
8–20
29 December 27 Boston L 96–104 Kevin Durant (25) Kurt Thomas (14) Delonte West (8) KeyArena
17,072
8–21
30 December 29 Minnesota W 109–90 Jeff Green
Wally Szczerbiak
(18)
Kurt Thomas (15) Delonte West (7) KeyArena
14,038
9–21
31 December 31 Philadelphia L 90–98 Earl Watson (18) Kurt Thomas (13) Earl Watson (7) KeyArena
10,595
9–22
January : 2–13 (home: 2–5; road: 0–8)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
32 January 3 @ Phoenix L 96–104 Kevin Durant (28) Nick Collison (15) Earl Watson (8) US Airways Center
18,422
9–23
33 January 6 @ Washington L 86–108 Kevin Durant (19) Nick Collison (17) Kurt Thomas
Delonte West
(4)
Verizon Center
17,816
9–24
34 January 8 @ Cleveland L 79–95 Kevin Durant (24) Nick Collison (14) Earl Watson (6) Quicken Loans Arena
20,409
9–25
35 January 9 @ New Jersey L 88–99 Johan Petro (22) Nick Collison (13) Delonte West (5) Izod Center
14,101
9–26
36 January 11 Dallas L 70–90 Wally Szczerbiak (17) Kurt Thomas (15) Kevin Durant (6) KeyArena
12,522
9–27
37 January 14 L. A. Lakers L 121–123 (OT) Nick Collison (24) Nick Collison (18) Luke Ridnour (11) KeyArena
13,452
9–28
38 January 16 @ New Orleans L 92–123 Kevin Durant (20) Kevin Durant
Johan Petro
(7)
Earl Watson (11) New Orleans Arena
9,882
9–29
39 January 18 @ Memphis L 100–124 Kevin Durant (22) Kurt Thomas (8) Earl Watson (8) FedExForum
13,451
9–30
40 January 19 @ Dallas L 96–111 Wally Szczerbiak (26) Nick Collison (12) Earl Watson (6) American Airlines Center
20,386
9–31
41 January 21 @ Houston L 89–96 Jeff Green
Wally Szczerbiak
(15)
Kurt Thomas (11) Earl Watson (9) Toyota Center
15,264
9–32
42 January 23 Houston L 107–109 Kevin Durant (25) Nick Collison (14) Luke Ridnour (8) KeyArena
12,342
9–33
43 January 25 Atlanta L 90–99 Chris Wilcox (18) Chris Wilcox (7) Luke Ridnour (4) KeyArena
13,647
9–34
44 January 27 Sacramento L 101–103 Kevin Durant (19) Kurt Thomas (10) Earl Watson (8) KeyArena
13,409
9–35
45 January 29 San Antonio W 88–85 Kevin Durant (26) Nick Collison
Chris Wilcox
(10)
Kevin Durant
Luke Ridnour
(5)
KeyArena
13,295
10–35
46 January 31 Cleveland W 101–95 Kevin Durant (24) Chris Wilcox (13) Earl Watson (12) KeyArena
13,109
11–35
February : 4–8 (home: 3–5; road: 1–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
47 February 2 New York W 86–85 Kevin Durant (21) Nick Collison (12) Earl Watson (8) KeyArena
12,783
12–35
48 February 4 Chicago L 108–118 Wally Szczerbiak (21) Nick Collison (9) Earl Watson (8) KeyArena
10,935
12–36
49 February 6 @ Sacramento W 105–92 Earl Watson (23) Earl Watson
Chris Wilcox (10)
Earl Watson (10) ARCO Arena
13,136
13–36
50 February 8 @ Phoenix L 99–103 Chris Wilcox (22) Chris Wilcox (15) Earl Watson (5) US Airways Center
18,422
13–37
51 February 13 Utah L 93–112 Kevin Durant (19) Kurt Thomas (13) Earl Watson (14) KeyArena
10,618
13–38
52 February 19 Memphis W 108–101 Earl Watson (26) Nick Collison
Jeff Green (9)
Earl Watson (9) KeyArena
11,391
14–38
53 February 21 @ Portland L 88–92 Kevin Durant (20) Nick Collison (14) Earl Watson (9) Rose Garden
20,168
14–39
54 February 22 Portland W 99–87 Kevin Durant (17) Jeff Green (9) Earl Watson (4) KeyArena
16,640
15–39
55 February 24 L. A. Lakers L 91–111 Mickaël Gelabale (21) Johan Petro (10) Earl Watson (8) KeyArena
17,072
15–40
56 February 26 @ Golden State L 99–105 Kevin Durant
Jeff Green (21)
Nick Collison (13) Luke Ridnour (15) Oracle Arena
19,412
15–41
57 February 27 Denver L 96–138 Kevin Durant
Mickaël Gelabale (16)
Johan Petro (8) Mickaël Gelabale (6) KeyArena
13,627
15–42
58 February 29 Miami L 93–103 Chris Wilcox (30) Nick Collison
Jeff Green (11)
Luke Ridnour (5) KeyArena
12,542
15–43
March : 2–14 (home: 1–5; road: 1–9)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
59 March 2 @ Minnesota W 111–108 (OT) Kevin Durant (25) Chris Wilcox (15) Earl Watson (9) Target Center
11,508
16–43
60 March 4 @ Detroit L 97–100 Earl Watson (23) Johan Petro
Chris Wilcox (10)
Earl Watson (7) The Palace of Auburn Hills
22,076
16–44
61 March 5 @ Milwaukee L 106–118 Kevin Durant (23) Johan Petro (15) Earl Watson (8) Bradley Center
15,010
16–45
62 March 7 @ Philadelphia L 83–117 Chris Wilcox (20) Nick Collison
Johan Petro (5)
Earl Watson (5) Wachovia Center
17,762
16–46
63 March 9 @ Toronto L 106–114 Chris Wilcox (28) Chris Wilcox (10) Luke Ridnour (9) KeyArena
19,800
16–47
64 March 11 @ Indiana L 107–114 Kevin Durant (27) Nick Collison (8) Luke Ridnour (8) Conseco Fieldhouse
11,216
16–48
65 March 12 @ Boston L 82–111 Kevin Durant (16) Johan Petro (10) Earl Watson (7) TD Banknorth Garden
18,624
16–49
66 March 14 Minnesota L 116–121 Kevin Durant (24) Nick Collison (8) Earl Watson (10) KeyArena
14,035
16–50
67 March 16 @ Denver L 116–168 Kevin Durant (23) Chris Wilcox (12) Earl Watson (7) Pepsi Center
19,155
16–51
68 March 19 Phoenix L 105–130 Jeff Green (19) Nick Collison (12) Four players (3) KeyArena
17,072
16–52
69 March 21 @ L. A. Lakers L 101–115 Kevin Durant
Earl Watson (20)
Johan Petro (11) Earl Watson (7) Staples Center
18,997
16–53
70 March 22 @ Utah W 97–84 Kevin Durant
Jeff Green (23)
Nick Collison (13) Earl Watson (5) EnergySolutions Arena
19,911
16–54
71 March 24 Portland W 104–99 Kevin Durant (23) Nick Collison (11) Luke Ridnour (9) KeyArena
11,292
17–54
72 March 26 Washington L 99–104 Kevin Durant (32) Nick Collison (21) Earl Watson (6) KeyArena
10,497
17–55
73 March 28 Charlotte L 93–96 Kevin Durant (18) Nick Collison (10) Earl Watson (6) KeyArena
13,592
17–56
74 March 30 Sacramento L 107–120 Kevin Durant (25) Nick Collison (8) Earl Watson (12) KeyArena
10,862
17–57
April : 3–5 (home: 2–2; road: 1–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
75 April 2 L. A. Clippers L 84–102 Kevin Durant (30) Nick Collison (17) Luke Ridnour (6) KeyArena
10,392
17–58
76 April 4 Houston L 66–79 Nick Collison (15) Johan Petro (15) Three players (4) KeyArena
14,170
17–59
77 April 6 Denver W 151–147 (2OT) Kevin Durant (37) Nick Collison (14) Earl Watson (11) KeyArena
13,104
18–59
78 April 8 @ Dallas L 83–99 Earl Watson (22) Jeff Green (8) Earl Watson (8) American Airlines Center
20,228
18–60
79 April 9 @ Houston L 80–103 Kevin Durant (26) Nick Collison (15) Earl Watson (8) Toyota Center
18,370
18–61
80 April 11 @ San Antonio L 74–95 Kevin Durant (20) Nick Collison (14) Luke Ridnour (4) AT&T Center
18,797
18–62
81 April 13 Dallas W 99–95 Earl Watson (21) Nick Collison (11) Earl Watson (10) KeyArena
16,272
19–62
82 April 16 @ Golden State W 126–121 Kevin Durant (42) Nick Collison
Kevin Durant (13)
Earl Watson (12) Oracle Arena
19,596
20–62
2007–08 season schedule

Relocation to Oklahoma City

On September 21, 2007, majority owner Clay Bennett applied for arbitration by a federal judge on the issue of whether the team could break its lease on the KeyArena in 2008.[41] Bennett initially set a deadline for October 31, 2007, for the City of Seattle to reach an agreement regarding a new facility,[42] and two days past that date Bennett informed the NBA commissioner David Stern of his intentions to relocate the team to Oklahoma City.[18] Seattle had filed a lawsuit on September 23, 2007, in an attempt to keep the Sonics from leaving before the end of their lease in 2010.[43]

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer made a new offer on a KeyArena expansion on March. Ballmer proposed to pay half of the US$300 million required for the expansion and set an April 10, 2008, deadline for the City of Seattle to accept the offer.[44] After the deal fell through, all hopes rested on the lawsuit set for June 2008.[45]

On April 18, 2008, the NBA Board of Governors approved the team's relocation to Oklahoma City by a 28–2 vote. Mark Cuban, owner of the Dallas Mavericks and Paul Allen of the Portland Trail Blazers were the only ones against the move.[46] On July 2, 2008, the City of Seattle and the Sonics' ownership reached a settlement that allowed the franchise to move to Oklahoma City.[47] According to the settlement, items associated with the SuperSonics' history in Seattle, including trophies, banners, and retired jerseys, stayed in the city and were placed in the Museum of History and Industry.[48]

Player stats

Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field-goal percentage  3P%  3-point field-goal percentage  FT%  Free-throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game
Player GP GS MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Nick Collison 783528.5.502.000.7379.41.4.60.89.8
Ronald Dupree [1] 404.5.3331.0002.0.3.3.01.0
Kevin Durant 808034.6.430.288.8734.42.41.0.920.3
Francisco Elson [1] 22212.7.341.000.4623.0.4.3.33.0
Mickael Gelabale 39011.9.439.432.7781.5.8.3.24.3
Eddie Gill [1] 105.0.000.000.01.0.0.0.0
Jeff Green 805228.2.427.276.7444.71.5.6.610.5
Adrian Griffin [1] 1306.5.3751.0001.7.4.4.11.1
Donyell Marshall [1] 15012.3.352.233.9233.1.3.3.53.8
Ira Newble [1] 208.5.286.000.0.5.0.02.0
Johan Petro 722818.2.419.000.7365.1.4.5.66.0
Luke Ridnour 61520.0.399.296.8571.54.0.6.26.4
Mouhamed Sene 1304.8.458.4711.2.1.0.52.3
Robert Swift 8412.3.3531.0002.3.1.6.81.8
Wally Szczerbiak [1] 50123.6.460.428.8432.71.4.3.113.1
Kurt Thomas [1] 423925.2.513.6968.81.3.81.07.5
Earl Watson 787329.1.454.371.7662.96.8.9.110.7
Delonte West [1] 35520.8.388.339.6672.73.2.9.36.8
Chris Wilcox 625528.0.524.000.6457.01.2.7.613.4
Damien Wilkins 763124.3.403.323.7363.22.0.8.39.2
Mike Wilks [1] 307.3.556.0001.000.31.7.3.04.0
  • 1 Statistics with the Seattle SuperSonics.

Awards

Injuries

  • Robert Swift missed the majority of the season after tearing his ACL the previous season. After playing in only 8 games, Swift underwent knee surgery on March to repair a torn lateral meniscus and was out for the remainder of the season.[51]
  • Mickaël Gelabale tore his ACL during a team practice on March and was sidelined for the rest of the season.[52]

Transactions

Overview

Players Added

Via draft

Via trade

Via free agency

Players Lost

Via trade

Trades

June 28, 2007[6] To Seattle SuperSonics
Jeff Green
Wally Szczerbiak
Delonte West
To Boston Celtics
Ray Allen
Glen Davis
July 11, 2007
(Sign and trade)[8]
To Seattle SuperSonics
2009 second round pick
To Orlando Magic
Rashard Lewis
July 20, 2007[9] To Seattle SuperSonics
Kurt Thomas
2008 and 2010 first round selections
To Phoenix Suns
2009 second round selection
February 21, 2008[35] To Seattle SuperSonics
Adrian Griffin (from Chicago)
Donyell Marshall (from Cleveland)
Ira Newble (from Cleveland)
To Cleveland Cavaliers
Wally Szczerbiak
Delonte West

See also

Notes and references

  1. Associated Press (April 25, 2007). SuperSonics fire Hill as coach, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved June 25, 2012.
  2. Associated Press (April 28, 2007). Team president Wilkens charged with hiring new coach, ESPN.com. Retrieved June 25, 2012.
  3. Bell, Gregg. Associated Press (June 7, 2007). Sonics hire Sam Presti as new GM, USA Today. Retrieved June 25, 2012.
  4. Associated Press (July 3, 2007). Report: Spurs assistant Carlesimo to be named Sonics coach, ESPN.com. Retrieved June 25, 2012.
  5. Wilkens quits as vice chairman of Seattle SuperSonics, Reuters, July 7, 2007. Retrieved June 25, 2012.
  6. Stringer, Peter. Playing Chips, Ainge Swings Deal for Allen Archived February 1, 2013, at the Wayback Machine. Celtics.com. Retrieved June 25, 2012.
  7. ESPN.com news services (July 1, 2007). Sonics management talks about team's future with Lewis, agent, ESPN.com. Retrieved June 25, 2012.
  8. DuPree, David (July 12, 2007). Magic, Pistons score big as free-agent signings start, USA Today. Retrieved June 25, 2012.
  9. Seattle acquires Thomas, draft picks, from Phoenix, Reuters, July 20, 2007. Retrieved June 25, 2012.
  10. Beck, Howard.Two Heralded Rookies Get First Taste of N.B.A. Basketball, The New York Times, July 8, 2007. Retrieved June 25, 2012.
  11. 2007 Vegas Summer League Schedule, ESPN.com, July 16, 2007. Retrieved June 25, 2012.
  12. 2007 Rocky Mountain Revue Schedule, ESPN.com, July 21, 2007. Retrieved June 25, 2012.
  13. Associated Press (May 21, 2007). Blazers nab top spot in the draft, The Argus-Press. Retrieved June 25, 2012.
  14. Oklahoma City Thunder Draft Picks, Basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved June 25, 2012.
  15. Associated Press (June 29, 2007). Rockets draft Oregon's Brooks; pick up Landry in trade, ESPN.com. Retrieved June 25, 2012.
  16. Associated Press (October 27, 2007). Durant questionable for Sonics' opener; Green sprains left ankle, ESPN.com. Retrieved June 26, 2012.
  17. Graham, Pat. Associated Press. Nuggets bottle up Durant, beat Sonics, USA Today, November 1, 2007. Retrieved June 26, 2012.
  18. Associated Press (November 3, 2007). Owner seeks NBA approval to move Sonics to Oklahoma, USA Today. Retrieved June 26, 2012.
  19. 2007–08 Seattle SuperSonics Schedule and Results, Basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved June 26, 2012.
  20. Associated Press (November 14, 2007). Magic Throttle Sonics, Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Retrieved June 26, 2012.
  21. Associated Press (November 16, 2007). Wilkins scores 41, but Durant's 3-pointer clinches Sonics' double-OT win, ESPN.com. Retrieved June 26, 2012.
  22. Associated Press (November 30, 2007). Durant scores career-high 35 to lead Sonics over Pacers, 95–93, The Seattle Times. Retrieved June 26, 2012.
  23. Stevens, Jayda. Still Mending Archived March 3, 2016, at the Wayback Machine, December 10, 2007. Retrieved June 26, 2012.
  24. Allen, Percy Swift at a standstill, The Seattle Times, December 23, 2007. Retrieved June 26, 2012.
  25. Associated Press (December 7, 2007). Durant scores 35 as Sonics beat Bucks, 104–98, The Seattle Times. Retrieved June 26, 2012.
  26. Booth, Tim. Associated Press (January 27, 2008). Sonics drop a heartbreaker to Kings, 103–101, The Seattle Times. Retrieved Jun 26, 2012.
  27. 2007–08 Seattle SuperSonics Roster and Statistics, Basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved June 26, 2012.
  28. Allen, Percy. Sonics vs. Lakers | Wilcox, Ridnour could reignite offense, The Seattle Times, January 14, 2008. Retrieved June 26, 2012.
  29. Associated Press (February 4, 2008). Smith returns to starting lineup, leads Bulls past Sonics, ESPN.com. Retrieved June 26, 2012.
  30. Robert Swift 2007–08 Game Log, Basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved June 26, 2012.
  31. Oklahoma City Thunder Franchise Index, Basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved June 26, 2012.
  32. Durant, Green and Roy to play in Rookie Challenge game Archived March 3, 2016, at the Wayback Machine, The Seattle Times, January 30, 2008. Retrieved June 26, 2012.
  33. Allen, Percy. Sonics trade Kurt Thomas to Spurs, The Seattle Times, February 20, 2008. Retrieved June 25, 2012.
  34. Evans, Jayda. No Bones in Seattle Archived March 3, 2016, at the Wayback Machine, The Seattle Times, February 21, 2008. Retrieved June 26, 2012.
  35. Allen, Percy. Sonics trade Wally Szczerbiak, Delonte West to Cavs, The Seattle Times, February 21, 2008. Retrieved June 26, 2012.
  36. Willis, Paul. Denver delivers the Sonics' worst loss, The Seattle Times, March 17, 2008. Retrieved June 26, 2012.
  37. Associated Press (March 16, 2008). Nuggets set NBA season high in scoring with 168–116 rout of SuperSonics, The Seattle Times. Retrieved June 26, 2012.
  38. Associated Press (March 20, 2008). Sonics' reserve Mickael Gelabale out for season with torn ACL, The Seattle Times. Retrieved June 26, 2012.
  39. Allen, Percy (March 27, 2008). Sonics' Chris Wilcox to miss rest of season, The Seattle Times. Retrieved June 26, 2012.
  40. Allen, Percy (March 21, 2008). Injuries to Wilcox, Gelabale clip Sonics lineup, The Seattle Times. Retrieved June 26, 2012.
  41. "NBA Sonics seek arbitration to escape Seattle lease". AFP. September 21, 2007. Archived from the original on June 22, 2008. Retrieved March 26, 2008.
  42. ESPN.com News services (August 13, 2007). New owners intend to move Sonics if deal can't get done, ESPN.com. Retrieved June 27, 2012.
  43. Johns, Greg (September 24, 2007). "City sues Sonics to enforce arena lease". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Retrieved April 22, 2008.
  44. Brunner, Jim; Thomas, Ralph (March 11, 2008). Ballmer's Sonics offer runs out soon, The Seattle Times. Retrieved June 27, 2012.
  45. Brunner, Jim (April 8, 2008). Ballmer's proposal to expand KeyArena is dead, The Seattle Times. Retrieved June 27, 2012.
  46. Allen, Percy (April 18, 2008). NBA approves Sonics' move to Oklahoma City, The Seattle Times. Retrieved June 27, 2012.
  47. Pian Chan, Sharon; Brunner, Jim (July 2, 2008). Sonics, city reach settlement Archived 2009-05-01 at the Wayback Machine, The Seattle Times. Retrieved June 27, 2012.
  48. Associated Press (August 21, 2008). Details of settlement between Bennett, Seattle revealed, ESPN.com. Retrieved June 27, 2012.
  49. NBA Rookies of the Month, Basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved June 26, 2012.
  50. Kevin Durant Named T-Mobile Rookie of the Year Archived April 29, 2009, at the Wayback Machine, NBA.com, May 1, 2008. Retrieved June 26, 2012.
  51. Associated Press (February 29, 2008). Swift to have surgery to repair torn lateral meniscus in right knee, ESPN.com. Retrieved June 26, 2012.
  52. Associated Press (March 20, 2008). Sonics’ Mickael Gelabale Out for Season With a Torn ACL, NBA.com. Retrieved June 27, 2012.
  53. Allen, Percy. Point guard Eddie Gill picked to fill out lineup, The Seattle Times, March 25, 2008. Retrieved June 26, 2012.
  54. Allen, Percy. Sonics sign Mike Wilks to 10-day contract, The Seattle Times, February 29, 2008. Retrieved June 26, 2012.
  55. Evans, Jayda. Newble waived, Swift to have surgery Archived February 13, 2015, at the Wayback Machine, The Seattle Times, February 29, 2008. Retrieved June 26, 2012.
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