Sonics on ESPN Classic

ESPN Classic allowed Bill Simmons, aka the Sports Guy, to choose an NBA matchup a week to televise. Tonight's Simmons pick is Game 5 of the 1993 Western Conference Finals between the Suns and Sonics.

Explains Simmons:

"You can't go wrong with any game involving the '93 Suns, but this one features
two superb matchups (Barkley in his prime vs. a young Shawn Kemp, KJ in his
prime vs. a young GP) and Dan Majerle going nuts with a then-record eight 3s. Up
until this point, the series sucked ... then Game 5 turned out to be a classic."

I disagree slightly with Simmons. Three of the first four games were pretty lopsided, yes, but Game 2 had an outstanding finish - especially for Sonics fans. Sam Perkins made a key three-pointer as the Sonics stole a game in Phoenix.

Now as far as Game 5, I'm not sure you'd want to watch it as a Sonics fan. As Simmons explains, Thunder Dan owned the evening from downtown, though the Sonics made a valiant effort. Man, it seemed like Majerle was always open back then, didn't it?

What I'd love to see is Game 6 of that series, a 118-102 victory at a rocking Seattle Center Coliseum that remains one of my favorite games I've attended (possibly with the long-defunct "standing room only" tickets).

As for Game 7 ... we don't talk about that one.