Fans Celebrate After ‘Torture’ Ends

A cheering crowd of thousands swept into the streets Sunday afternoon, blocking traffic after the Seattle SuperSonics fought their way to their first NBA Finals in 17 years.

“It’s quite a payoff for the torture they put us through,” said Pat O’Connor, 22, Seattle.

Right after the game ended with Seattle defeating Utah 90-86, hundreds of fans thronged to the nearby Sonics Team Shop, where O’Connor works, to snap up $20 T-shirts proclaiming “Western Conference Champions.”

Victory is particularly sweet for fans who suffered through first round playoff eliminations against Denver in 1994 and the Los Angeles Lakers last year. The Sonics will face the Chicago Bulls in a best-of-seven series beginning Wednesday.

About a thousand people started an impromptu parade on the street outside KeyArena. Police officers on horses tried to keep fans off the street.

But screaming fans chanted “Bring on the Bulls,” waved banners and partied in the street, some rocking taxicabs outside the arena.

A blond woman on a red Porsche bared her breasts to the crowd, and another woman in a BMW followed suit a little later.

“This win means a lot to the city. Seattle has a reputation of being a laid-back town. But this win rocks and will show Chicago that Seattle can rock, too,” said Keith Perry, manager of Pedal Cab Co., as he sat atop his bicycle cab wearing a Sonics T-shirt.

“It’s their time, baby; it’s their time,” said Evan Sayre, 21. He predicted the Sonics would defeat the Bulls in five games.

Jim Chow, 27, Seattle, said the Jazz put on a tough series, “but now it’s time for Seattle to be in the championship. It’s been too, too long.”

Fans hoping to catch a glimpse of Sonics players waited outside the Arena, waving their hands and screaming.