OT: Would a NBA team succeed in Montreal?

[Undertakerqc]

I was wondering if Montreal could be a good home for a NBA team. We had a few off-season games and it was a huge success. The NBA will soon proceed to an expansion (about 2 years), if there is a willing owner (maybe Geoff Molson) would it work here?

Thoughts?

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[Price My Man Crush]

If the tickets price is okay, why not? I saw yesterday the prices for the game on October 20th, they are crazy. $500 for the best seats. I think Optimum games for the Habs are at $300.

Maybe I'll even go on October 20th. Must be a great experience.

 

[Kriss E]

Doubt it, especially not that the NBA season is pretty much at the same time as the NHL one. Maybe for one year, because it's new, but essentially I don't think so.

 

[Chfan]

If they're good, I think so.

 

[Hoople]

**** the NBA.

 

[PuckNorris]

Definitely not. Montreal is an event town. NFL would probably be successful for that reason.

 

[Rosso Scuderia]

No, too boring.

 

[Claimed Off Waivers]

No. Star players would not want to sign here. Nobody wants to play in Canada. If they won't play in English speaking Toronto, then they definitely would not want to play in French-speaking Montreal.

 

[Kriss E]

No. Star players would not want to sign here. Nobody wants to play in Canada. If they won't play in English speaking Toronto, then they definitely would not want to play in French-speaking Montreal.

Language has nothing to do with it. Canada is just not a basketball country.

 

[Undertakerqc]

Language has nothing to do with it. Canada is just not a basketball country.

I think it could be developed. A lot of people play basketball here.

 

[Sined]

No. Star players would not want to sign here. Nobody wants to play in Canada. If they won't play in English speaking Toronto, then they definitely would not want to play in French-speaking Montreal.

^This x1000

NBA Players think of Canada like it's Northern Siberia.
Just look up some quotes from Chris Bosh when he first got to Miami after being THE GUY, the franchise player, in Toronto for almost a decade.

For one Seattle got ROYALLY screwed out of the Supersonics, they should be first in line to get an expansion team and to a lesser degree so did Vancouver, both WAY better cities for Basketball.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

God I hope not.

Give each team a minute to play and 100 points. There's your basketball game.

And I can see it now, Montreal drafts a superstar and three years later he decides to hold a two hour press conference to annonce his 'decision' on where he's going to go play... Please. Please, no.

 

[LeHab]

NBA is the least likely major sport to succeed in Montreal.

 

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[Le Tricolore]

I doubt it'd be successful longterm. I'd probably check out a game or two if we did have a team, though.

 

[Marc the Habs Fan]

I think there would be interest...I know that at about every 3rd or 4th house in my area, there's a basketball hoop. So kids are playing the game.

The problem, as outlined, is that the NBA is a total superstar league. If you don't have one, you are basically screwed and have zero shot of doing anything. And I doubt we'd be able to attract or keep a superstar.

 

[Power Man]

Basketball is more entertaining than hockey, but no it wouldnt work

 

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[LeHab]

I think there would be interest...I know that at about every 3rd or 4th house in my area, there's a basketball hoop. So kids are playing the game.

Playing is fun, watching others play not so much.

 

[Undertakerqc]

I love cheering for hometown teams. I wish we had more.

 

[Rosso Scuderia]

Basketball is more entertaining than hockey, but no it wouldnt work

What's so entertaining about basketball? I wonder how people can watch 4 quarters of that sport. Watch the last quarter and it's more than enough. Points all over the place, no momentum, tons of stoppages, fouls and time-outs and unless its a blow-out, the final minute of the game takes like 15 minutes to play with a stoppage every 3 sec.

 

[coolasprICE]

Not a chance in hell.

 

[Montreal Impact FC]

I doubt it...

 

[Hackett]

No. Star players would not want to sign here. Nobody wants to play in Canada. If they won't play in English speaking Toronto, then they definitely would not want to play in French-speaking Montreal.

Bingo. NBA players do not look at Canada as a desirable destination. They make baseball players seem like low maintenance. If you don't attract good players, you don't win. If you don't win, fans eventually stop showing up.

Its as simple as that

 

[Clumsyhab]

I'd rather we have the Expos back. I also prefer we keep our MLS team than having an NBA team. Basketball is just boring to watch.