Another pratfall by Sonics owners

There was simply no way in hell anyone, locals or out-of-towners, could have cobbled together a complicated, controversial plan that had no purchased land, completed renderings or specific amounts of private cash in the six months available from takeover to the end of the legislative session.

But since that deal died, Bennett, except for one foolish flyby challenge last month to Mayor Greg Nickels to show some leadership, has basically folded arms across chest and pouted. If this is a good-faith effort, Bennett is fortunate that he did not become a Baptist preacher.

I'm not a lawyer, but I'm certain I could sue Bennett, the old ownership and probably the city for contract breach , tie up everyone for years and eventually win. Damages? Line 'em up for a Three Stooges-style one-hand dope slap.

From multiple fiascoes with local icon Lenny Wilkens, to the graceless firing of coach Bob Hill, to playing the forbidden Las Vegas relocation card, to the departures of the team's best and most popular players, the Bennett regime seems to be falling down an endless flight of stairs -- save for a dumb-luck pause to draft Kevin Durant.

Bennett cut player payroll, office staff and the radio voice, hired what is probably the cheapest coach/general manager combo in the league, dismissed his Seattle PR firm and moved the team offices to save $400,000 a year. The Sonics seem to be operating out of the trunk of a rusty Studebaker at the U District street fair.

And now Bennett appears to be out of control of that which he most trusted -- his own partner. In an attempt to backpedal away from the damage, each man issued statements on one club letterhead Monday, yet were curiously separate.

Bennett's main point: "Aubrey expressed his personal thoughts and, in context of the story, was not speaking on behalf of the ownership group."

McClendon's main point: "I was always aware and understood our number one goal was to work with officials to build a new arena in the Seattle area."

Yet no public denial of what was said was offered, nor was an explanation of the contradiction. No apology was made for the obvious betrayal of those who have worked or are working on behalf of the franchise, or are supporting it with ticket purchases.

On a long list of bad days for the franchise over the past year, this was the worst.

The upshot? An arena project is no closer, but the notion of mustering support for this ownership group, locally and even nationally, is farther away.

Besides alienating any remaining political supporters as well as the dwindling knot of fans, the remarks allow the city's attorneys, in the almost inevitable breach case, to claim ownership admitted publicly it wasn't trying to keep the team here. And the NBA has to wonder why it would reward this group with relocation to a market that McClendon, elsewhere in the same interview, admitted wasn't as good as Seattle.

Final note on the interview: McClendon hailed Bennett as "very artfully and skillfully" maneuvering to "(make) off with the team."

If what we have seen so far constitutes to McClendon art and skill in sports, perhaps he should stick to what Bennett suggests may be his buddy's highest and best use: Tailgating.