If the Sonics leave Seattle, does that help Vancouver's chan

[VancouverBall]

If the Sonics leave Seattle, how does that affect Vancouver's chances of landing an NBA franchise? I mean, if Seattle loses their team, that sets up an interesting dynamic, especially with the Trailblazers struggling (though I hear Paul Allen bought back the Rose Garden).

So what could Paul Allen do? Could he try to move the Trailblazers to Seattle? And the Sonics leaving Seattle leaves only one team in the Pacific Northwest (heck we had 3 teams in this region when the Grizz was around!), so could the NBA lean more heavily to Vancouver in that they'd want to have a rivalry in the Northwest?

The problem with getting a team back into Seattle after the Sonics leave is the Key Arena situation. You'd have the same problem all over again. With Vancouver, you've got a plug and play arena in GM Place, and it's ready to go.

The announcement of the Sonics leaving could happen in October right around the time of the exhibition game here. Could some dynamics start up then?

[Naslund Is King]

Just me, but I think that would hurt Vancouver more then it would help.

[Jelly]

Landing a team here might draw a few crowds from Seattle, but not that many, travel is still harsh. 2, 3 hours drive.

we just don't have the fan base for basketball to survive, unless they can sell the tickets at a lowered price, and maybe even packages to highschool groups on the weekends, to attract new fan base.

a problem with basketball fans is that, we all probably already have a home team already of another city. sure, having a team here is great and all, but the team HAS to have someone that we WANT to go and see.

a problem with the grizzlies was that they simply couldn't win, and didn't have a performer who attracted fans for a losing team . ie. #8 for Captitals, #87 for Penguins (two years ago)

Not that we have to have someone like King James, but surely it would help us sell out everynight.