NBA expansion

[jimjim5]

Originally Posted by Pickle20

You just proved my point. What a completely baseless statement.

My point is that the NBA does not need the inner-city for support, it needs the paranoid suburbanites.

I said it was a weak argument from the beginning didn't I?

[jimjim5]

Originally Posted by Pickle20

I hear New Orleans is on the verge of a potential relocation.

I could see NO Hornets here.

[jimjim5]

Originally Posted by StevenJB

Really? Only the Capitals and Skipjacks? Let me count the number of hockey failures in Charm City:

First, there was the Baltimore Orioles of the Eastern Amateur Hockey League. They played in Charm City from the 1933-34 season to the 1941-42 season and they tried again in 1944-45 followed by the Baltimore Clippers from 1945-46 to 1949-50.

Then there were the Eastern Hockey League Baltimore Clippers. They played for almost two seasons of 1954-55 to 55-56 before the Carlins Iceland Arena burnt to the ground in Jan 1956. The Clippers relocated to Charlotte immediately.

Then there was the American Hockey League (AHL) Baltimore Clippers from 1962-63 to 1974-75. Then the Baltimore Blades in 1975-76 and again the Baltimore Clippers in 1976-77.

Next we go to the Atlantic Coast Hockey League Baltimore Skipjacks of 1981-82. The ACHL became the AHL again in 1982-83 and the Skipjacks played until 1992-93. Then Charm City tried for one last time at hockey with the AHL Baltimore Bandits from 1995-96 to 1996-97.

So, how many teams is that? The Orioles, the Clippers, the Clippers again, the Clippers again, the Blades, and yet again the Clippers, the Skipjacks, and finally the Bandits. That's eight teams if I count right, huh Baltimore? That's quite an interesting track record for hockey in Charm City, isn't it? You sure you guys want another shot at hockey? Isn't eight times enough?

BTW, guys, I am posting all of this just to tease you. Especially you guys who live and love in Baltimore. Many, but most definitely not all of you guys, who hail from Baltimore happen to be some of the most parochial sports fans that I have ever had the pleasure of sharing opinions with. Prior to the Montreal Expos moving to Washington, most of you Baltimore and Orioles fans would constantly tell us Washingtonians what a lousy baseball town that Washington was. Washington lost two teams! Ha, ha, ha, and so on and so on. . . .

Of course, there were mitigating circumstances why Washington lost our baseball teams just as there were mitigating circumstances why Baltimore had lost eight hockey teams, one NBA team, and one NFL team. Which all goes to show you Baltimoreans that we all deserve a second chance and in your case a ninth chance.

Get out of here with that crap. Washington does not even support the Football Terps. If the Terps were in the Baltimore area, the football program would be big time.

[Horseshoecurve]

Originally Posted by canis

The NBA is encouraging Europe and other cities overseas to build appropriate arenas with the idea that at some point in the future it would expand there. No mention however about expanding in the states nor about returning basketball to cities that once had teams, such as Baltimore and St. Louis. If they ever expanded stateside, what would Baltimore have to do to be considered a serious contender?

http://www.sportingnews.com/nba/arti...pansion-europe

Get rid of the Bullets. The reason the NBA is looking overseas is because the US market is saturated. The NBA, IMO, is nowhere near as compelling as MLB, NFL, or even the NHL. Again, this is only my opinion, but no pro sports post season is as good as the NHL. And I'm a baseball fan first.

[jimjim5]

Originally Posted by Horseshoecurve

Get rid of the Bullets. The reason the NBA is looking overseas is because the US market is saturated. The NBA, IMO, is nowhere near as compelling as MLB, NFL, or even the NHL. Again, this is only my opinion, but no pro sports post season is as good as the NHL. And I'm a baseball fan first.

This is where your opinion stinks. Baseball sucks...til' the postseason. The NBA has prime athletes and top notch match-ups every week to make up for the lousy regular season. The NBA post-season is very, very competitive now. (Less so during the Jordan years.)

Baseball is stuck in the middle ages and has regressed IMO. A lot of the best athletes don't play baseball anymore. They refuse to address why the game is no longer competitive. And it's now a sport with a lot of sissy players. Their is no toughness in MLB. This is coming from a former huge baseball fan.

"no pro sports post season is as good as the NHL" Maybe. Your opinion has merit here.

[acisking]

Originally Posted by Pickle20

I hear New Orleans is on the verge of a potential relocation.

I think the PR would be too bad from that. Memphis, Sacramento, and Charlotte are my guesses.

[jimjim5]

Originally Posted by acisking

I think the PR would be too bad from that. Memphis, Sacramento, and Charlotte are my guesses.

The NBA isn't a social service, it's a business. Business is business

[acisking]

Originally Posted by Horseshoecurve

Get rid of the Bullets. The reason the NBA is looking overseas is because the US market is saturated. The NBA, IMO, is nowhere near as compelling as MLB, NFL, or even the NHL. Again, this is only my opinion, but no pro sports post season is as good as the NHL. And I'm a baseball fan first.

The NBA season is def. way too long but are you really comparing it to the MLB sesaon? Baseball is like double the length of the NBA season. And halfway through that season its very clear what teams have no shot at making the playoffs, making the second half of the season largely irrelevant. The NBA has plenty of flaws (too many teams, too many rules) but has had a resurgence recently, especially in the playoffs.

Hockey has expanded too much in the American market (especially in cities like Phoenix that are never going to be naturally attracted to the sport). It's an incredible sport but it has to be more focused in markets that it could really dominate (more Canadian teams for instance). The main problem is that most Americans can't name 15 hockey players that play in today's NHL. One of the strengths of the NBA and the NFL is that people are aware of its players even if they don't follow those leagues (through college performance, endorsements, etc).The biggest mistake the NHL made was letting Versus broadcast its national TV games...most people either don't get that channel or aren't aware they have it.

[TheBirdz]

Originally Posted by jimjim5

Get out of here with that crap. Washington does not even support the Football Terps. If the Terps were in the Baltimore area, the football program would be big time.

Great to be a homer, but come on.

For whatever reason, college football is best in the middle of nowhere. The ones in or near big cities generally don't do as well, maybe with the exception of Michigan.

[Pickle20]

Originally Posted by jimjim5

Disagree. If Washington can't support a new team now what make you think they will in 10 years, regardless of development. Expos relocating to DC was a bad move.

Because if the Nationals win games, the fans will come.

More fans will also come when there is more to do around the stadium than just see a baseball game. More businesses, bars, and shops will make going to the game part of a full day of being in that area as opposed to just going to that neighborhood to see a baseball game.

[Pickle20]

Originally Posted by acisking

I think the PR would be too bad from that. Memphis, Sacramento, and Charlotte are my guesses.

I agree, but NO was about to relocate to Oklahoma City after Katrina.

In a few years, The Hornets will be gone from NO.

I also don't really see Charlotte or Sacramento moving.

It's NO and Memphis IMO.

[sonofboh]

Originally Posted by Pickle20

I agree, but NO was about to relocate to Oklahoma City after Katrina.

In a few years, The Hornets will be gone from NO.

I also don't really see Charlotte or Sacramento moving.

It's NO and Memphis IMO.

i could easily see sacto moving, their arena is similar to seattles. the state is broke and the maloff brothers dont have any roots there whatsoever.

but i agree with you that the hornets will be gone in a few years, but didnt memphis just build a new arena for the grizzlies?

[old school]

Originally Posted by baltimores/only/hockeyfan

The article basically states that those teams left due to a lack of coporate support. I guess things are on the up and up in Canada and they want to try and take their teams back. Quebec City is working on an arena deal, Winnepeg at least has a place where they can play for a couple seasons until a better option becomes available, and of course Hamilton is primed and ready. It will be interesting to see how this all pans out.

Corporate support. That's the most important part. Someone has to buy the luxury boxes and the advertising. Baltimore's basketball tradition is more than enough to support an NBA franchise. Corporate support is what's needed or an extremely rich owner.

If the NBA ever allowed a franchise in Vegas, the Maloof Brothers would leave everything, uniforms, front office people and equipment, in Sacramento just so they could get there there first to plant the NBA flag. I think Memphis and New Orleans would be in the race as well.

[Independent Terp]

Originally Posted by TheBirdz

Great to be a homer, but come on.

For whatever reason, college football is best in the middle of nowhere. The ones in or near big cities generally don't do as well, maybe with the exception of Michigan.

There's L.A with USC, UM with Miami, and Pitt with Pittsburgh that do pretty well.

[TheBirdz]

Originally Posted by Independent Terp

There's L.A with USC, UM with Miami, and Pitt with Pittsburgh that do pretty well.

In terms of fan support, they can't touch most SEC schools, or PSU, etc.


I think you have to be quite a homer to believe that if the Terps were located in Baltimore's shadow instead of DC's shadow, that MD football would be "big time."

[tsmonk]

The NBA needs to contract by 6 teams. Then they should cut out 6 teams that make the playoffs.

[jimjim5]

Originally Posted by TheBirdz

In terms of fan support, they can't touch most SEC schools, or PSU, etc.


I think you have to be quite a homer to believe that if the Terps were located in Baltimore's shadow instead of DC's shadow, that MD football would be "big time."

big time as in perrienal top 20 program, playing for a conference championship and meaningful bowl. VT, Oregon, the old Washington Huskies come to mind.

[StevenJB]

Originally Posted by jimjim5

Disagree. If Washington can't support a new team now what make you think they will in 10 years, regardless of development. Expos relocating to DC was a bad move.

Your anti-Washington bias and hatred are starting to rear their ugly head again. Your arguments are both naive and comical. Moving to Washington was a bad move? What were the alternatives, Einstein? Norfolk? San Antonio? Las Vegas? Portland? No other city had an available and ready-to-go MLB status ballpark available like RFK. The Expos had to be moved and moved very quickly. Washington was it and only it. Six million area population. Richest area in the country. Ready to rock and roll!

I know, you and your buddy, Peter Angelos would have contracted the Expos. Great idea, Einstein. But, if you eliminate the Expos then you have to eliminate a second team to get down to an even number of 28. How about contracting the Orioles too, Einstein? No one would miss them, would they?

Washington will support the Nationals when the Nationals provide Washingtonians a reason to come to the ball park. Look at the Capitals. Four years ago, hardly no one would buy a season ticket. Now they are sold out. Washington is no different than most other sports cities during the recession. People will support a winner. The entertainment district around Nationals Park will be completed by 2013. The area will become the new Verizon Center/Chinatown/Gallery Place.

Are you that jealous that Washington has the NHL and the NBA and that Baltimore has diddly squat? Is that why you attack Washington and the Nationals? If you want hockey and basketball then build an arena. Maybe you'll get lucky. Maybe the Orioles will win the World Series next year. Maybe pigs will fly. Who knows?

I hate to break the bad news to you, O's fan, but the Nationals are here to stay. They have a beautiful new ball park that they are committed to playing there until 2038. They are going to get better and better much faster than people realize. Jim Bowden and Manny Acta were disasters. They both set the Nationals three years behind. Mike Rizzo the new GM will select his new manager soon. The Nationals have a pipeline full of young talent who are the bright future of this team. Steven Strasburg and later Bryce Harper are but two of many to come. The Nationals will break out within four years while the Orioles are completing yet another consecutive losing season.

[jimjim5]

Originally Posted by TheBirdz

Great to be a homer, but come on.

For whatever reason, college football is best in the middle of nowhere. The ones in or near big cities generally don't do as well, maybe with the exception of Michigan.

I also forgot to add that when I think "big time" with regard to football programs, I am mainly speaking of team support. You Know, like the Clemsons, the Gamecocks, and the OK State Cowboys. Not world beaters, but solid, up and down - but well supported programs. This is the benefit I think Baltimore would give vs. DC area.

[jimjim5]

Originally Posted by StevenJB

Your anti-Washington bias and hatred are starting to rear their ugly head again. Your arguments are both naive and comical. Moving to Washington was a bad move? What were the alternatives, Einstein? Norfolk? San Antonio? Las Vegas? Portland? No other city had an available and ready-to-go MLB status ballpark available like RFK. The Expos had to be moved and moved very quickly. Washington was it and only it. Six million area population. Richest area in the country. Ready to rock and roll!

I know, you and your buddy, Peter Angelos would have contracted the Expos. Great idea, Einstein. But, if you eliminate the Expos then you have to eliminate a second team to get down to an even number of 28. How about contracting the Orioles too, Einstein? No one would miss them, would they?

Washington will support the Nationals when the Nationals provide Washingtonians a reason to come to the ball park. Look at the Capitals. Four years ago, hardly no one would buy a season ticket. Now they are sold out. Washington is no different than most other sports cities during the recession. People will support a winner. The entertainment district around Nationals Park will be completed by 2013. The area will become the new Verizon Center/Chinatown/Gallery Place.

Are you that jealous that Washington has the NHL and the NBA and that Baltimore has diddly squat? Is that why you attack Washington and the Nationals? If you want hockey and basketball then build an arena. Maybe you'll get lucky. Maybe the Orioles will win the World Series next year. Maybe pigs will fly. Who knows?

I hate to break the bad news to you, O's fan, but the Nationals are here to stay. They have a beautiful new ball park that they are committed to playing there until 2038. They are going to get better and better much faster than people realize. Jim Bowden and Manny Acta were disasters. They both set the Nationals three years behind. Mike Rizzo the new GM will select his new manager soon. The Nationals have a pipeline full of young talent who are the bright future of this team. Steven Strasburg and later Bryce Harper are but two of many to come. The Nationals will break out within four years while the Orioles are completing yet another consecutive losing season.

Calm down Baltimore hater.

We will see. I am not a Washington hater though. I just don't think Washington is a baseball town. Period. Just like I KNOW Washington is not a supporter of the Terps. The split nature of the suburbs (DC/MD/VA), the demographics, and the transients add to the Terps problems. However, if the entertainment district around Nationals Park becomes like the new Verizon Center/Chinatown area - I will check the area out. I like the what the Verizon Center area has going for it.

BTW, I hate to say it, but the Nationals will suck for a long time with the way baseball is now. Look at the O's as an example. MLB has succeeded in turning a very strong, very successful, large market and historic baseball franchise, into two weak a$-s smaller market teams. Sounds like a good plan to me.