Kind of a rough day for the city of Seattle

We've never really considered ourselves "Seattleites" despite spending the past six years in this cold, damp metropolis. But after a day like the city had yesterday, you sorta have to feel for them.

Within a couple hours of each other, the opening arguments were made in the Seattle vs. Sonics trial (the team is like totally moving, but might be forced to play two lame-duck seasons first. That might be fun.) and Mariners general manager Bill Bavasi was canned, the first in what should be a series of moves to rectify a team that is on pace to lose 100+ games, despite a $117 million payroll and an 88-win season a year ago. And they've lost eight in a row. Three of them were against Washington. At home. Yikes.

The trial, though, is the big story in town. It got off to a warm and fuzzy start, as the fine folks of the "Save Our Sonics" fan group organized a rally to protest the move. About 1,000 fans showed up, as did Gary Payton who spoke. If anyone knows how to prevent a team from moving it's The Glove. Power to the people!

So, yeah, rough day for this fine city. But that's Shawn Kemp. SHAWN KEMP!