Next city that should get an NBA team?

[Duiz]

I didn't say that people don't like NBA here, just that it wouldn't get as much support in Madrid or Athens as it would in Paris or Berlin. Loyalty is a big thing, and I just don't see how could an NBA franchise succed in Madrid where you already have Real, or in Athens where you already have Olympiakos and Panathinaikos. I remember we had a discussion about this on Slovenian message board and a lot of posters were scared that bringing NBA to Europe would ruin European basketball and European leagues in long term.

I am not sure if I understand here where you are coming from, because all the clubs you have mentioned already have basketball teams, and they are sports clubs, so they have soccer, basketball, rugby, swimming, or some other sports. They work different that sports franchises in the US. To me the teams on the following list should be up in the queue for expansion....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euroleague#Titles_by_Team

It would definitely give a good shake and weaken the influence of the regional european leagues, yes, it would do bad to them. But for the NBA, it means big bucks. Believe me, if Real Madrid could host an NBA franchise, they would, and they would make a lot of money. There was a reason why LeBron James could be given around 50 million a year contract in Greece. There is the interest, and it can work.

[MaRcu5]

Seattle had their shot. I would kill to have a team here in KC.

[Roger Murdock]

I miss basketball in Seattle already. Poor guys, the browns fan in me sympothises.

[Bucky O'Hare]

Seattle had an NBA team and they blew it. They'll receive no pity from me. Besides, Seattle's not really a sports town, what with their $8 cups of coffee and all. I think Oklahoma City will be, and they deserve a team, so there you go.

As for what city deserves a team next, I'd say it's a toss-up between Louisville, Kentucky and Crothersville, Indiana.

[Yao21]

clippers come to sd plz

[Duiz]

As for what city deserves a team next, I'd say it's a toss-up between Louisville, Kentucky and Crothersville, Indiana.

And Hibbert will retire as Top 5 Center of all time.. You are starting to sound just flat out funny to me, you are hilarious!

[BadWolf]

I am not sure if I understand here where you are coming from, because all the clubs you have mentioned already have basketball teams, and they are sports clubs, so they have soccer, basketball, rugby, swimming, or some other sports. They work different that sports franchises in the US. To me the teams on the following list should be up in the queue for expansion....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euroleague#Titles_by_Team

It would definitely give a good shake and weaken the influence of the regional european leagues, yes, it would do bad to them. But for the NBA, it means big bucks. Believe me, if Real Madrid could host an NBA franchise, they would, and they would make a lot of money. There was a reason why LeBron James could be given around 50 million a year contract in Greece. There is the interest, and it can work.

Things might change.
In Spain, Italy, Greece, Turkey, probably Serbia, domestic leagues are much more important then international, ie European, competitions.
Panathinaikos, Olympiacos, Barca, Real and italian teams value domestic championship over European. Panathinaikos wants to win over Olympiacos first, and only then over european competition...

Then money. Could European franchise be succesful? What's the money needed for salary a bit over the cup + halls, stuff, facilites etc? Sounds a lot more then these teams make. And I see little reason why there will be more income then now. There'll be a few more games played, but not much. And these teams are deep into red figures anyway.

[chriswebb86]

I really dont think there should be any new teams. However, if there is going to be a city that should get one it is Kansas City

[A.J.]

Las Vegas deserves one.

The team name:

Las Vegas Gamblers

[Storm Surge]

A European Division should be next

Moscow
Paris
Berlin
Rome
Madrid
Tel Aviv

[Huskies1947]

Anywhere in the states, we don't need another team in Canada or in Europe.

Yeah because the one Canadian team is doing so bad in terms of money and fandom? Yeah, let's see another memphis, New Orleans, Charlotte etc

[theTHIEF]

I like K.C. MO and St. Louis

[BadWolf]

I wonder what's the position of posters from Spain, Italy, Greece on NBA franchises in their country. Anyone to give us an insight?

[Chubby Chaser]

None. We should cut out the bottom four franchises. Base it on the bottom two teams from east and west based upon revenue. The NBA will be much better

[deeney0]

Expansion teams to Europe? I thought it has always made more sense for current European teams to "join" the NBA at some level or another. That solves the problem of an NBA franchise in Madrid competing for fans with Real Madrid. It's already started, with European teams playing NBA teams in the preseason. Seems like the NBAzation of FIBA rules is going to go a long way to fueling this. There are hurdles, to be sure, but no more so than plopping a new NBA team in Europe.

As far as dropping teams goes, no reason to fold the bottom teams. Dropping the bottom 2 teams to the NBDL every year solves a ton of problems.

[Bucky O'Hare]

If the NBA ever goes international (not counting the Raptors since Canada is our unofficial 51st state, they just don't realize it yet ) they'd need to change the league name. National Basketball Association just doesn't cut it. The IBA - International Basketball Association - would be more fitting.

[Duiz]

If the NBA ever goes international (not counting the Raptors since Canada is our unofficial 51st state, they just don't realize it yet ) they'd need to change the league name. National Basketball Association just doesn't cut it. The IBA - International Basketball Association - would be more fitting.

Nah.. I prefer HFBA...

Hibbert's Future Basketball Association.

[Duiz]

Expansion teams to Europe? I thought it has always made more sense for current European teams to "join" the NBA at some level or another. That solves the problem of an NBA franchise in Madrid competing for fans with Real Madrid.

Wow man.. you are a smart man... I keep explaining it, and finally someone gets.

[Rasho Brezec]

Expansion teams to Europe? I thought it has always made more sense for current European teams to "join" the NBA at some level or another. That solves the problem of an NBA franchise in Madrid competing for fans with Real Madrid.

Wow man.. you are a smart man... I keep explaining it, and finally someone gets.

This is what you meant? Sorry man, sometimes I have a hard time translating it so I can understand.

But I think this would be even harder to pull off. Fans wouldn't take this lightly. If Real Madrid becomes NBA franchise, they would play NBA teams, which means there would be no more rivalry matches with Barca, Tau Ceramica, Joventut and even other European clubs. These matches are something that diehard fans live for, and they'd be furious if their teams wouldn't have a chance to play against them. Also, teams' roster would change completely, they would have salary cap and all these regulations. Fans favourites players would have to be cut off from team, every player could be traded on any given day. NBA is a bussiness, and in Europe, tradition means a lot. I'm sceptical how this would work with clubs' supporters.

[TOStateofMind]

Seattle SHOULD get it.