Stern already did it to Seattle.

The NBA is locked out. The last team we saw play was the Dallas Mavericks. We watch Summer Leagues and double the amount of football. We don't know how but we just want basketball back. We are getting a sneak peak into the life of a Sonics fan. Words like 'revenue' and 'profitability' mean a lot more to a Sonics fan than they do to you. They've heard it all before. They've been locked out since 2008.

Sunday, April 13, 2008, Key Arena, Seattle, WA-

Earl Watson, Kevin Durant, Jeff Green, Nick Collison, Johan Petro. These five names would make up the last ever Seattle Supersonics starting lineup. Playing Shooting Guard (out of position) in P.J Carlisemo's gut wrenchingly bad offence, was Kevin Durant. Kevin Durant would become a two time NBA scoring champion and worldwide basketball superstar in a matter of years, but today he was playing his last game for the team that took him #2 in 2007 NBA Draft. It was a strange scenario, it didn't feel like the end. Until the end;  "SAVE OUR SONICS" echoed through the rafters, the team managed to pull out a win against the perrenial contender Dallas Mavericks. The atmosphere was electric but suddenly turned cold and bitter, it was all over. 41 years of history, 41 years of memories, 41 years of some of the greatest athletes on earth; gone.

The Reason? David Stern.

Many members of the media claimed that Seattle did not do enough to keep the Sonics. Fans from other cities told the city "too little too late".

Fast forward to October 2, 2011. Labor talks had resumed in New York after a series of unspectacular failed negotiations. Dwayne Wade of the Miami Heat had only shown his face at the talks a couple of times sinc ethe lockout was confirmed and was actually targeted as not doing enough about the situation (listening, Sonics fans?). However, Wade had been keeping out of the spotlight but still up to date with every development, or lack thereof, in the CBA negotiations. He attended the latest meeting along with the agenda of more direct involvement but not to take centre stage. David Stern begins his usual manipulative with his weak followers alongside (Mr Bennett, anyone?). During a speech, Stern gesticulates with a finger point towards the players. These negotiations had been heated yet civil since July, just as the actions of Supersonics fans were quiet yet urgent through that whole last season. Dwayne Wade springs from his chair and shouts "You're not pointing your finger at me. I'm not your child".

This was Wade's Save our Sonics rally, this was wade's heartfelt cry for help during the Mavericks game in '08, this was a reaction to a bully. A bully is calculating and subtle by nature. They'll seem your best friend one minute and take your Basketball franchise the next (or you know, whatever). The point is that the NBA has been scared of Stern for a t least a decade now and it's time for that to end. His act has worn thin. Dwayne Wade may not have helped the talks. He may have angered the most powerful man in basketball, but he wasn't letting himself or any single other player be bullied anymore.

Thanks to the greed and manipulation of one man, Seattle might never end their lockout. The only number Stern didn't want to increase was 41.