The Seattle SuperSonics, an iconic NBA franchise, have left an indelible mark on professional basketball history despite their relocation to Oklahoma City in 2008.
Established in 1967, the SuperSonics quickly garnered a dedicated fan base with their thrilling gameplay and memorable seasons. The team experienced its pinnacle in 1979, clinching their first and only NBA championship with the help of stars like Dennis Johnson, Gus Williams, and Jack Sikma.
Throughout their tenure in Seattle, the Sonics showcased many talented players who captivated audiences and brought pride to their city. With the NBA potentially returning to Seattle in a few years, more players could be added to this list.
In this article, we delve into some of the best players who ever donned the green and gold, celebrating their achievements and contributions to the storied legacy of the SuperSonics.
Gary Payton
Gary Payton, commonly known as “The Glove,” is widely regarded as one of the greatest point guards in NBA history. The Seattle SuperSonics selected him with the 2nd overall pick in the 1990 NBA Draft, and he quickly established himself as a defensive powerhouse.
In his rookie season, he led the Sonics in total steals (165). His tenacity on defense earned him the Defensive Player of the Year award in the 1995-96 season, the same year he led the league in total steals. His defensive excellence garnered him nine All-Defensive Team selections. Despite his defensive accolades, Payton was also a formidable offensive player known for his ability to facilitate, score, and make clutch shots.
Over his 13-plus seasons with Seattle, he became the franchise leader in points, assists, steals, and games played. Beyond his on-court exploits, Payton’s fiery personality and penchant for trash talk made him a beloved figure in Seattle.
His remarkable career and contributions to basketball were honored in 2013 when he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
Shawn Kemp
Shawn Kemp was selected 17th overall by the Seattle SuperSonics in the 1989 NBA Draft, rapidly dispelling concerns about his potential with an electrifying early career. Despite a brief collegiate stint, Kemp’s athleticism and dynamic play won over fans and critics alike.
Teaming up with Gary Payton, who joined the team a year later, Kemp helped form one of the NBA’s most formidable duos. During his tenure with the Sonics, Kemp was a six-time NBA All-Star and earned three All-NBA selections. His performance was pivotal in the 1995-1996 season when the Sonics reached the NBA Finals. In the playoffs that year, Kemp averaged 20.9 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks per game, including team-highs of 23.3 points and 10.0 rebounds in the Finals against Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls.
Known for his dominance in the paint and high-flying dunks, Kemp participated in the NBA Slam Dunk Contest four times in his first five seasons. These dunk contests were extremely popular during Kemp’s time, featuring legends like Jordan, Dominique Wilkins, Clyde Drexler, and Spud Webb. Kemp remains second in franchise history for career rebounds and blocks and is among the top ten in career points for the Sonics.
Jack Sikma
A pillar of the SuperSonics’ historic success, Jack Sikma was selected with the No. 8 pick in the 1977 NBA Draft. With his infamous bleach-blonde visage, Sikma quickly established himself as one of the best centers of his era due to his versatility and skill set. Standing at 6 feet 11 inches, he was not only a dominant post presence but also an exceptional shooter.
Key to the SuperSonics’ 1979 NBA Championship victory, Sikma averaged 14.8 points, 11.7 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.4 blocks per game in the 1979 NBA Playoffs. During the NBA Finals, he elevated his performance, averaging 15.8 points, 14.8 rebounds, and 3.2 blocks per game against a formidable Hall of Fame frontcourt.
Over his nine seasons in Seattle, Sikma was a seven-time NBA All-Star and twice finished in the top-10 MVP voting (1979 and 1982). He ranks among the top five SuperSonics in career points, top 10 in career assists, and top three in blocks, leading the franchise in total rebounds.
Ray Allen
Ray Allen began his basketball career in Dalzell at Hillcrest High School. He went on to become a college All-American at UConn and was selected fifth overall by the Milwaukee Bucks in the 1996 NBA Draft.
Once in Seattle, Allen’s impact was immediate, signing a five-year, $85 million contract extension in 2005 and breaking the NBA record for most 3-pointers made in a single season with 269 in 2005-06. Though Stephen Curry would later surpass this mark, Allen remains in the top 5 in Sonics history for 3-point field goals and boasts the fifth-highest scoring average (24.6 points per game) in franchise history.
His consistent work ethic, clutch performances, and role as Jesus Shuttlesworth in “He Got Game” further cemented his legacy.
Spencer Haywood
Spencer Haywood, a trailblazing figure in basketball history, joined the Seattle SuperSonics in 1970 under exceptional circumstances that changed NBA rules forever. In 1971, Haywood made a historic leap to the NBA after just two years in college, challenging the existing rule that restricted players from entering the league until four years post-high school.
Haywood’s entry was driven by hardship, including his mother working as a sharecropper for $2 a day to support her ten children in rural Mississippi.
His entry into professional basketball was nothing short of extraordinary. In his first year in the ABA, Haywood dominated the league, averaging 30.0 points and 19.5 rebounds per game, earning both ABA Rookie of the Year and MVP honors. Upon joining the SuperSonics, Haywood continued his stellar performance, becoming a four-time NBA All-Star and securing All-NBA selections during his tenure.
Haywood has the highest rebounding average (12.1 per game) and the third-highest scoring average (24.9 points per game) in Sonics history.
The Bottom Line
The Seattle SuperSonics were a dominant force in the NBA for over four decades. The Sonics hold a special place in basketball lore with a rich history of talented players, passionate fans, and memorable moments.
Though they may no longer have an active presence in the league, at least at the moment, their legacy and impact will always be remembered by those who love the game of basketball. If the NBA should return to Seattle, expect many fans to be heavily involved in NBA standings bets on where the new SuperSonics will finish.
