Forget losing Kevin Durant, Robert Swift's exotic snake collection, or even Squatch. Aside from the non-competitive basketball on the court, what will truly be missed by all Sonics fans is play-by-play man Kevin Calabro's iconic voice.
Over 21 seasons, Calabro called everything from Gary Payton and Shawn Kemp connecting on devastating alley oops to Vitaly Potapenko securing his place as arguably the worst Euro baller in NBA history.
But instead of following the Sonics (soon to be Shit Kickers or the Thunder) to Oklahoma City, Calabro stood his ground and honored Seattle and the franchise known as the Sonics. Calabro said he won't go if they go.
In staying behind, Calabro has been tapped to become the voice of the Seattle Sounders FC - Seattle's MLS franchise that debuts in 2009. This just doesn't seem right.
Calabro is to basketball as Vin Scully is to baseball. It's like telling Lil' Wayne to cover "Just the Way You Are".
Calabro will go insane calling a 0-0 barn buster. There's no doubt that Calabro will make MLS more exciting than Becks prancing around and getting hurt. But soccer is too boring for Calabro's style.
Calabro needs basketball. Basketball needs Calabro. It doesn't have to be on the pro level. The "Master's League" at the Mercer Island JCC is looking for a new play-by-play man. Sure, it might be a little degrading, but at least it's the right sport.
While having Calabro voicing soccer games will surely attract non soccer fans to the Sounders FC, it won't be the same as having him lose his breath while calling the final 30 seconds in Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals. And it's a damn shame Calabro won't have that chance again.
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