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Friday, June 20, 2008 - Page updated at 12:00 AM

Avid fan Sherman Alexie compares NBA players to Greek gods
Four days into the Sonics trial, the fans finally had their say. After
hours of testimony this week from Mayor Greg Nickels, chairman Clay...

By Percy Allen
Seattle Times staff reporter

Sherman Alexie's testimony was at times humorous, passionate and
long-winded.

Four days into the Sonics trial, the fans finally had their say.

After hours of testimony this week from Mayor Greg Nickels, chairman Clay
Bennett and number-crunching economists, avid Sonics fan Sherman Alexie
attempted to "remind everybody what this is really about, and that's the
fans. People who love the NBA."

The award-winning author and comedian had been a controversial witness.
Sonics lawyers tried to bar his appearance in court in pretrial motions
last week.

Alexie's much-anticipated testimony was at times humorous, historical,
passionate and long-winded. Brad Keller, the Sonics' lead attorney, twice
asked Judge Marsha Pechman to remind Alexie to stay on topic.

"The fans needed a voice at trial," said Seattle's lead attorney, Paul
Lawrence.

Alexie talked for 37 minutes of his love for basketball, particularly the
NBA, beginning when he was a child in Spokane. He said his father
introduced him to the game, and the sport strengthened their relationship.

Alexie likened LeBron James to Hercules and said hundreds of years from
now, people will talk about NBA players like today's generation talks about
Greek mythology.

Alexie could hardly contain his enthusiasm. He said he enjoys the diverse
crowds at KeyArena and noted the variety of ethnicities and countries seen
in the NBA. Alexie, a Native American born in Spokane and raised on the
Spokane Indian Reservation in Wellpinit, Stevens County, said he also likes
the NBA because "rise from poverty."

The Sonics' treatment of season-ticket holders became less
customer-friendly after Bennett bought the team, Alexie said. Alexie
described last year's annual seat-relocation party as lackluster. In
previous years, partygoers were given popcorn and cucumber sandwiches and
received special attention from the team's employees.

Keller began his cross-examination of Alexie by saying, "Thank you for your
support. It is very much appreciated." Moments later, though, he added
this: "I'm sorry that the locker guy didn't know who you are. I am sorry
there wasn't popcorn when you came in."

When Sonics attorney Michelle Jensen asked if he would attend other college
or high-school games if the Sonics were allowed to break their lease,
Alexie said: "That's like telling Seattle they only get to have me as a
writer and not Shakespeare."

At the end of the testimony, he made one last pitch to Pechman.

"I love this team," he said. "If they leave, I haven't been given — the
fellow fans have not been given the proper way to say goodbye... . I'm
hoping in those two years, if they do leave, the season-ticket holders, the
fans, the city and the team will have a chance to celebrate each other.

"I want two more years of the Greek gods."

After his testimony, Alexie said he hadn't been nervous representing Sonics
fans.

"I've been representing the voice of Native Americans for 15 years, so this
actually felt lighter," he said. "It's a huge responsibility and I felt a
lot of pressure. Since it's been known that I've been testifying ... I've
gotten more e-mails in the last month probably than I have in my entire
career.

"About half really supporting me. About half pep-talking me and the other
half sending me quizzes to prove I'm not the fan they are. ... The
intensity of the response, whether it was supportive or challenging, has
been amazing from fans."

Percy Allen: 206-464-2278 or pallen@...