SuperSonics’ new owner reveals grand plan

Clay Bennett’s vision for a new arena in the Puget Sound region is taking shape as a venue beyond just a home for his two teams, the NBA Seattle SuperSonics and WNBA Storm.

The National Hockey League? Sure. NCAA basketball tournaments? Absolutely. Concerts? Of course.

Republican National Convention?

“Maybe Democratic National Convention would be good as well,” joked Bennett, a staunch Republican.

The Oklahoma City businessman returned to Seattle Wednesday to announce the hiring of HOK Sport as the architectural firm that will be asked to create and possibly build the new arena that Bennett is seeking.

He has said the teams cannot continue to play in their KeyArena home in Seattle.

He was occasionally humorous, but Bennett’s ownership group is facing a serious time crunch to have a preliminary plan – including site selection, a funding framework and facility schematics – ready by the end of the year.

“We’re working hard,” he said. “We hope to be ready by the end of the year to have a preliminary economic model.”

Bennett reiterated that the economical model he hopes to take to the state Legislature in January will require a “significant public investment.” He also indicated the ownership group is done looking at possible sites for a new arena in the city of Seattle.

He wouldn’t elaborate when asked if that meant the group is focused on the eastern suburb of Bellevue.

On the court

Joe Johnson scored a season-high 36 points to help the Atlanta Hawks beat the Charlotte Bobcats 99-90 in Atlanta.

Much of Johnson’s early scoring came at the expense of Bobcats rookie Adam Morrison, who struggled keep up with the Hawks veteran. Johnson was 9 of 10 from the field, making three 3-pointers, in the second period.

Morrison, who had scored more than 20 points in three of the last four games, was held to six points, 10 less than his average.

Knicks 101, Cavaliers 98: At Cleveland, Quentin Richardson scored 27 points and Eddy Curry 24, 12 in the fourth quarter, to lead New York over Cleveland, snapping the Cavaliers’ six-game home winning streak.

Jazz 83, Spurs 75: At Salt Lake City, Carlos Boozer had 23 points and 16 rebounds, Matt Harpring added 13 points and 12 boards, and Utah beat San Antonio to snap a two-game losing streak.

Suns 102, Rockets 91: At Phoenix, Steve Nash broke out of a bad shooting night with eight points in a 14-3 fourth-quarter run, and the Suns won their fifth in a row with a victory over Houston.

Mavericks 117, Raptors 98: At Dallas, Josh Howard scored 26 points and the Mavericks overcame the loss of Dirk Nowitzki to beat the Toronto for their 11th straight win.

Nowitzki left the game in the first quarter with blurred vision. A team spokesperson said he was not poked in the eye but he did not return.

Nets 106, Celtics 103: At Boston, Vince Carter scored 23 points, 16 in the fourth quarter, and Jason Kidd added 19 as New Jersey snapped a six-game losing streak with a victory over the Celtics.

Pacers 108, Warriors 106: At Oakland, Calif., Stephen Jackson buried a 3-pointer with 1 second remaining to lift Indiana over Golden State.

Clippers 105, Grizzlies 90: At Los Angeles, Cuttino Mobley came off the bench to score 26 and lead the Clippers past Memphis.