The vibes were immaculate during Oklahoma City Thunder general manager Sam Presti’s preseason press conference.
Presti was able to talk about music, crack some jokes and spoke brightly about the Thunder’s future.
But one compliment stuck out the most. Presti spontaneously complimented the city of Seattle when answering a question about the Pearl Jam concert he attended.
“I do think it’s important to recognize also that Seattle is an incredible place. It’s an incredible city. They will have a basketball team again, and I think all of us here are like that’s a positive thing. We’re hopeful that happens because it’s a great place, great fans, and the arena that they’ve built there, it’s spectacular. So when it happens, it’s going to be great.
“I think everybody here recognizes that’s an important thing. That should happen. At the same time, things here for us have been great, and I just give them a lot of credit for the way they handled that.
“I think it shows a lot about them, to be honest with you, because I think that’s — because it also gives me a chance to say the things I’m saying now too, which is like Seattle is an awesome place. Great basketball community. And will be again shortly, I think.”
Of course, Presti got his start as general manager under the Seattle Supersonics shortly before the team relocated to Oklahoma City in 2008, so I’m sure he has a soft spot for the city.
If the NBA were to ever expand, Seattle has been theorized as one of the top destination markets to receive a team. If that day ever happens — which it sounds like Presti is confident will be the case — then the inevitable Sonics vs. Thunder rivalry will be one of the best in professional sports due to the amount of animosity the former holds against the latter.
