In the mid 1990s, Howard Schultz was the toast of Seattle.

Starbucks, of which Schultz was the president and CEO, rose to prominence, as people all over the world lining up to pay $6 for a coffee. And the SuperSonics, owned by Schultz, were making inroads in the NBA, playing before passionate sellout crowds and challenging for basketball supremacy.

Today, Seattle residents would like to toast Howard Schultz over an open fire.

Sure, Starbucks is still the world leader in overpriced beverages, but it no longer has the cache it did 15 years ago. And the Sonics? Let's not bring up the Sonics to Seattle residents.

For Schultz sold the Sonics to Oklahoma businessmen, who packed up the team and moved it to Oklahoma City. Thousands of loyal supporters were left with only memories. Schultz padded his bank account.

Oh well, at least Seattle will always have its famous weather. No one can take that away...