As predicted in many quarters, the NBA’s team owners voted to pursue commissioner Stern’s screw-Seattle strategy. Only our own Paul Allen (representing the Portland Trailblazers) and Allen’s pal Mark Cuban (representing the Dallas Mavericks) said no.

It’s not over. Not by a buzzer-beater long shot.

But the way to save pro basketball in Seattle won’t be pretty. In fact, it’ll be as ugly as this past Sonics season.

Essentially, we’ve gotta keep litigatin’ to keep the team through the two more contracted seasons on its KeyArena lease; all the while assembling all the ingredients of a privately-financed, NHL-capable arena. Two different groups are trying for this. Let’s make it happen.