My Daughter Emily recently had a Pirate themed birthday party and this very strange photo was taken by my Sister-In-Law with the I Phone. I promise that is has in no way been altered and I also promise that I have no idea whatsoever where my legs went.

Is there a photography expert that can solve this mystery? I was wearing dark black pants if that is any help. It is a bit disturbing to me.

Also featured in this photo is my beautiful pirate maiden wife Kelli and my dog Bandit's butt.

When the Sonics left town lots of my fond memories went with them.

 I guess it works a little like a divorce. When your wife leaves you I doubt you sit around and remember what a great person she was and how many awesome times you had together.

 But yesterday as I watched the Mayor of Seattle announce a plan the should put the NBA back in out town many of my favorite Sonics moments came flooding back.

 While there are no shortage of on the court moments to recall I find myself thinking more about other things.

 Of course I remember winning the title and getting to go to one of those games. I remember Payton and Kemp going head to head with Jordan and Pippen trying to win another title. But most of what I remember about having a pro team are events that had nothing to do with with watching a basketball game. 

 Here are a few of them....

 1. Watching Tommy Burleson Eat Eggs

 My first Sonics Memory is one of my best. My dad took me to my first game shortly after we moved here when I was 10. On our way home we stopped at Denny's on Mercer Island and there, sitting in a booth with his wife was the tallest man I had ever seen.

 Tommy Burleson was the Sonics starting Center for a couple of seasons in the early '70's and never was all that good. But after he gave me an autograph that evening at Denny's he bacame my favorite player.

 I still remember that he was eating Fried Eggs and Bacon. Me, I had a Patty Melt. mmmmmm Patty Melt.

2. Getting a Free Courtside Ticket For The Playoffs

 As a teenager I spent lots of time outside the games trying to get in for cheap. Often I would get given a ticket but on one occasion I really hit the lottery.

 The Sonics were playing the Rockets in the playoffs. I heard a scalper trying to buy a guy in a buisness suits extra ticket and giving him a hassle about the price.

 I walked over and asked him how much he wanted. The dude wanted to to spite the scalper I think so he said "Do you drink beer" ? Of course I did. He said " Buy me a beer inside and you can have my extra" . That extra turned out to be center court ON THE COURT. Hakeem the Dream never looked bigger.

 The only problem was that I owed this man a beer and was not old enough to buy him one. Its a good thing I have had a full beard since I was 12.

3. Living On A Billboard

 If you have been listening to Bob, Spike and Myself a long time you may remember this.

 In the early 90's we made a dumb bet with a radio station in Phoenix and watched as Charles Barkley knocked the Sonics out of the Playoffs and us up on a billboard we had to live on for more than two weeks.

 Some of the highlights of that time was Randy Bachman playing a free concert from the billboard, Alice n Chains making regular stops to drink beer with us in between recording sessions they were doing down the road, and a late night visit from Barry and Ginger Ackerley.

 At that time Mr. Ackerley owned the Sonics AND all the billboards in town. He said he just wanted to stop by to thank us and drop off some hot coffee.

 I doubt Howard Schultz would have taken the time to do that. And hes got plenty of hot coffee. Sorry....still a little bitter I guess.

4. George Karl's Farewell Blowout

 As much as I love Sweet Lou and Mike Holmgren, George Karl was the most entertaining coach to watch in pro sports. When they fired George that was the beginning of the end and I was there.

 George wanted to thank the fans after the team canned him so he had us get the word out to head over to Floyds Place.

 The place was packed and when coach showed up he siad " I want to but everyone a drink to say thanks " That statement started what had to be a bar tab that even an NBA coach would be spending a few weeks salary on.

 After a couple of barley pops George stood up on top of the bar and entertained us with what was partly Q and A but mostly just hime telling jokes, some of the pretty dirty.

 After awhile he pulled a stack of his business cards, said " I wont be needing these anymore " and starting autographing and handing them out. I still have mine.

 Those are just a few of the many fond memories I have from the days when the NBA was in Seattle. I have said that I could care less if I ever see an NBA game again but, as of yesterday, I think I am changing my mind.

 I hope we get a new Arena and, heck, I might even beg Kelli to let me be a season ticket holder again.

 Do you have fond memories of the Sonics? Do you have strong feelings about building a new Arena either Pro or Con? Feel free to share your stories and comments here.