Could Seattle Use an NBA-Bred Mayor?

Word former Suns point guard Kevin Johnson would run for mayor of Sacramento (his hometown) has percolated since January. Yesterday, KJ made it official. (And of course, today the mud is already flying.)

Back then, we addressed the impacts on Sacramento's arena efforts. It helps to look at the situation in Seattle for further perspective. Would a mayor with ties professional and personal to the NBA have helped matters? Yes. I don't think the mess would have gotten this far if the city leaders in Seattle had as keen a relationship to the league as a fellow like KJ does.

Remember, the city of Seattle was seen as a foe, part of the problem for quite a while. It was only when civic leaders bristled at the idea of Clay Bennett skipping out on his lease two years early that the City Council stood up. Even then, it seemed nothing more than a show. And even still, I'd gather the Save Our Sonics contingent reserves caution when relying on the city to stand strong against relocation.

This isn't to say Mayor Slick Watts would have ceded taxpayer dollars to Bennett for a new arena, or Councilman Detlef Schrempf would have been able to consolidate sufficient pushback. But I imagine the Maloofs won't be pulling off something like this with Mayor KJ. One more advocate in a powerful place cannot hurt... and this is why KJ for mayor is important to Sacramento's Kings fans.