Aquilini in talks to purchase NBA Indiana Pacers for Vancouver

[SpikePhanta]

I think the idea of bringing Asian talent is a great one.
I remember seeing all those kids in Beijing playing Bball, and surprised there were more Kobe Bryant Jerseys than YaoMing!

[whalley13]

Basketball is a bad fit for Vancouver...African American players don't like playing in canada, it will be hard to compete for free agents, due to travel committments and small corporate community

look at the way the raptors struggle...it will be even worse for us here....it may have fan support but not player support

[Zassk]

^ That was true in the 90's, but I think there is greater awareness and appreciation of Vancouver today. We can't do much about the fact that our city has practically no African Americans (Canadians?), but the NBA attracted a lot of other ethnic groups that are under-represented in the Canucks sellout crowds, and I think the potential is greater today than it was 15 years ago. I think there is room for two teams, given that they will have a common owner, and there is so much interest in sports after the Olympics. It is basically Aquilini's opportunity to double his number of revenue home games, which he has no way to do through the NHL. The TV and radio market is much more amenable to covering two 80+ game teams than it was in the 90's.

[SpikePhanta]

Originally Posted by Zassk

^ That was true in the 90's, but I think there is greater awareness and appreciation of Vancouver today. We can't do much about the fact that our city has practically no African Americans (Canadians?), but the NBA attracted a lot of other ethnic groups that are under-represented in the Canucks sellout crowds, and I think the potential is greater today than it was 15 years ago. I think there is room for two teams, given that they will have a common owner, and there is so much interest in sports after the Olympics. It is basically Aquilini's opportunity to double his number of revenue home games, which he has no way to do through the NHL. The TV and radio market is much more amenable to covering two 80+ game teams than it was in the 90's.

Not to mention that Basketball as a game is become more inclusive, having Asian, European and South American players coming up!

Plus all that matters is the Fan support, you make money from the fans not the players.
Just draft non-NorthAmerican players or do a Toronto and sign people like Turkoglu.

Also remember Toronto is in the top ten money making teams!

[EastVanMark]

Originally Posted by SpikePhanta

Not to mention that Basketball as a game is become more inclusive, having Asian, European and South American players coming up!

Plus all that matters is the Fan support, you make money from the fans not the players.
Just draft non-NorthAmerican players or do a Toronto and sign people like Turkoglu.

Also remember Toronto is in the top ten money making teams!

Good and valid points. The NBA is more multi-national today than it has ever been and that trend will most likely continue. In particular, there their has never been as many Canadians playing in the NCAA and we likely will see more Canadians in the NBA than ever before in the coming future.

As for teams making money, remember that the Raptors lean heavily on the Maple Leafs for TV, sponsorship, and ticket revenues. Without the Leafs, the Raptors would barely be above the waterline. The good news is that in Vancouver, unlike in the 90's, the Canucks are a money making machine where similar advantages could be exploited.

[twoNeurons]

Basketball is MUCH more inclusive than Hockey, that's for sure.

I could count the number of players who come from minorities on both hands.

[Vancity]

Originally Posted by EastVanMark

Good and valid points. The NBA is more multi-national today than it has ever been and that trend will most likely continue. In particular, there their has never been as many Canadians playing in the NCAA and we likely will see more Canadians in the NBA than ever before in the coming future.

As for teams making money, remember that the Raptors lean heavily on the Maple Leafs for TV, sponsorship, and ticket revenues. Without the Leafs, the Raptors would barely be above the waterline. The good news is that in Vancouver, unlike in the 90's, the Canucks are a money making machine where similar advantages could be exploited.

I wonder if the Aquilini's are interested in bringing a struggling NBA franchise north of the border? If they do what the Raptors are doing (depending heavily upon the Canucks), maybe the franchise would stand a chance of competing with the big market teams. Players want to come into a winning team. Toronto feels much like an american city, Vancouver does not. So, I would definitely go the route of drafting more asian talent, and more european players, than north american players. If our NBA team begins winning games, and establishing itself as a franchise that has high expectations, then I think players will begin to come out. Vancouver has NBA fans in this city. There is no doubt about that. Having the worst team in the league for 6 years, and still averaging (in the 2000-01 season) 13,737 fans is remarkable, considering the team never won more than 23 games a season.

I think the NBA made several mistakes, but no mistake worse than allowing TWO northwest pacific teams to move. Portland basically has no rivals right now. They're closest rival would be Sacramento - which is a team, as of right now, that sucks.

I see the NBA returning to Vancouver some day. I hope Aquilini does make a move for one of the struggling NBA franchises, and move 'em up here, and market them like crazy. Put a good product on the floor, and the fans will come. It comes down to one thing: WIN BABY, WIN.

[EastVanMark]

There are several current teams for sale, including one that locals might be familiar with:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memphis_Grizzlies

[Vancity]

Originally Posted by EastVanMark

There are several current teams for sale, including one that locals might be familiar with:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memphis_Grizzlies

Wouldn't be that justice if the Grizzlies were to return to Vancouver? WOW. I'd laugh at Heisley all the way to the bank. Memphis is drawing poorer now than when they were back in Van. I hope, for as long as they are in Memphis, that they never win a playoff series.

I wonder if Aquilini has interest. He must, eh? To fill the other 41 dates at GM Place, when the Canucks are on the road. If they could get an NBA franchise (one that wins more than 23 games a year) to fill in for the other 41 dates at GM Place, I think things would be very different. Vancouver IS an NBA city. We just need an NBA caliber team to cheer for.

[Prometheus]

What do you think a cool name would be for a new Vancouver NBA franchise? The name "Grizzlies" is tarnished by now I think (assuming we were to buy the Grizzlies).

I am having a hard time thinking of anything really good.

[vansky]

Originally Posted by Prometheus

What do you think a cool name would be for a new Vancouver NBA franchise? The name "Grizzlies" is tarnished by now I think (assuming we were to buy the Grizzlies).

I am having a hard time thinking of anything really good.

vancouver Aquas or Whales

[Prometheus]

Originally Posted by vansky

vancouver Aquas or Whales

I think we can do a bit better than that.

How about The Vancouver Storm? Or has that already been used before?

[Locked In]

WNBA - Seattle Storm

[vansky]

how about Vancouver Losers - with historical significance and pride...inheriting the last franchise

[twoNeurons]

• Vancouver Rain
• Vancouver Red Dragons ( Suggested by the Chinese community )
• Vancouver Ravens ( I know it was the Lacrosse Team )
• Vancouver Predators
• Vancouver Extinction ( Name suggested by the society for competition with Toronto committee )
• Vancouver GreenestEvar ( Name suggested by the mayor )
• Vancouver Sea Lions

Of those, I think Rain has the most potential for fun at games and wordplay.

[Mininari]

If you want to resurrect another one...
How about Vancouver Mounties?

After the recent embarrassment caused by the short-skirt versions of the mountie uniforms at the Olympic closing ceremonies, how could this be any worse?

[Zassk]

Something with an edge...

Vancouver Maulers
Vancouver Hitmen

[flight_from_kamakura]

the vancouver slithering rattlesnakes? the vancouver vintage toasters? the vancouver barnyard animals? each of those team names is as likely as the return of nba basketball to vancouver.

[twoNeurons]

An edge, you say?

• Vancouver Ponies
• Vancouver Unicorns
• Vancouver Popsicles
• Vancouver Narwhals
• Vancouver Mermen
• Vancouver Fast Fairies [sic]
• Vancouver Minimum-wagers
• Vancouver Nimbys
• Vancouver Bunnies/Kittens/Puppies
• Vancouver Sea Otters

[Zassk]

Vancouver Spirit Bears?
Vancouver Spotted Owls?

or something more dear to home...

Vancouver Panhandlers?
Vancouver Anarchists?
Vancouver Black Bloc?