New league doing it right, and it's Hall of Fame time

Been kind of remiss in hitting this hard over the last few days but you have to give the folks at the nascent National Basketball League of Canada some credit.

They’ve had a flurry of announcements of late, mostly of teams in London, Oshawa, Moncton and Summerside and they are truly moving forward to a November opening for the latest attempt at pro league in Canada.

And they seem to be doing it at a perfect pace.

They have chosen markets carefully, not too big where teams would get lost in the hubbub of the city and not too small so that the economics wouldn’t work.

They haven’t made any grandiose signings or plans or pronouncements, they seem to realize that slow and steady and well thought out is the way to go.

Now, I don’t know enough about the economics of each ownership group or what support each civic government is giving (that’s for a story to work on next week) but from what I do know, they are solid. Sure, there are likely to be hiccups along the way, that’s to be expected in any new pro sports endeavour, but so far, everything they’ve done seems right.

The game needs a league in Canada, if for no other reason that to increase awareness of the sport and let fans in smaller cities see games live.

I don’t think it needs to a feeder league for any other, nor should they promote it to players as a step to anywhere else.

It should be self-sustaining, smallish without being bush league and as long as the league office and each of the teams realizes what it truly is, I can’t see any reason it won’t be hugely successful.

Hope it is.

Oh, and the league’s first draft is next week, better get started on my mock draft.

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Man, did I get some heat last night.

Show up at Mighty Rockies practice Coach Steve is all over me about the U2 thing and best band of the era and the first thing that comes to mind is, “he reads this crap?”

But apparently he does and ignited a bit of a debate because while he’s all over U2 (and he’s very much a Man Of A Certain Age), he has these guys No. 1 and there’s no debate.

Is there?

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So they’re doing the Hall of Fame inductions down in Springfield today and it’s a huge class.

Dennis Rodman, Chris Mullin, Artis Gilmore, Arvydas Sabonis, Satch Sanders, Goose Tatum, Tex Winter, Tara VanDerveer, Teresa Edwards and Herb Magee.

Can’t see an argument with any of them now that I’ve come around on Rodman, who I wondered about initially because I wasn’t sure he was enough of an all-around player to warrant an honour I think they give out too easily.

Anyway, the one guy who intrigues me, of course, is Sabonis because we only got to see him at the end of what was an astonishing career. When you look at the gifted big men in the game today – the guys who can run and pass and shoot – he was the first.

Besides, I saw this the other day on twitpic – or someone pointed it out to me, I can’t recall – and while a guy like Rodman did some wild things, I’m not sure he ever jumped rope while wearing a fedora.

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A wistful feeling at the ball park yesterday.

Last Mighty Rockies practice of the season and it’ll be sad to see the urchins go.

We’re in The Big Championship Game on Saturday (if we lose in the first of the double-elimination final we go again Sunday) and I think Ticketmaster might have ducats if you look really, really, really hard.

Or not.

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This comes out of the mail and gets to some news I heard about the other day.

(And speaking of mail, I’ll have an afternoon and an evening in Niagara Falls to sit and putter around, please help me fill the time. Pretty gloomy over in the in-box, click here to send something along)

Q: Hi Doug. I just read that "The NBA plans to bring its All-Star Game and weekend-long festivities to Houston for the third time in 2013".

Didn't BC say that we'd get them in TO?

Dead Issue or is he still trying?

Thanks.

Mary-Anne B, Toronto

A: I don’t think it’s a dead issue but it’s not an active one, that’s for sure. There are several issues at play that may make it difficult for them to ever hold one, though.

First, the back-of-house at the Air Canada Centre is simply not adequate enough right now to jam everything in that they’d need without causing major headaches.

I’m also told the convention centre that’d be needed for the Jam Session and stuff like that is booked for some kind of shows through at least 2013 and perhaps beyond.

And I’m not entirely sure how the NBA and its “family” of sponsors and business partners would deal with late-February in Toronto, weather-wise.

Now, all of those things may not be insurmountable but, honestly, I think it’s a long shot they ever bring an all-star weekend to Toronto.

Oh, and consider this: If this season is delayed, or cancelled, they’ll have to make amends to Orlando, which is supposed to hold the 2012 event. So, no game this year, Houston 2013, Orlando 2014 and then we’ll see where we are might be how it plays out.

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One last Hall of Fame note, of a personal nature.

I don’t imagine any of you know Brian McIntyre, who is now the senior communications advisor to David Stern and the man who ran the NBA’s media relations department for almost 30 years.

He’ll being honoured today with the John W. Bunn Lifetime Achievement award which, according to the Hall itself, was instituted by the Board of Trustees of the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1973 and is the most prestigious award presented by the Hall of Fame outside of Enshrinement. Named in honor of Hall of Famer John W. Bunn (Class of 1964), the first chairman of the Basketball Hall of Fame Committee who served from 1949-1964, the award honors coaches, players and contributors whose outstanding accomplishments have impacted the high school, college, professional or international game.

And that last sentence sums up Brian perfectly.

In an era where too many media departments of too many leagues and teams work as impediments to the media, and see us evil-doers of some level, Brian always had, and always has, the interests of the media in mind.

If you had a problem with a team or a player or needed anything from the league, you called Brian and the thing got fixed. Fast.

They don’t make ‘em like him any more, sadly. This is an honour richly deserved.

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Comments

[Steven in Fredericton]

Doug, I read daily but alas my company of 30k employees and many other corporations block access to Youtube (and other sites). Now that you are embedding videos I would ask for a simple desciption of what I am missing out on. i.e I can only assume the video posted today of the best rock band of this era is Trooper. Thanks!

Blogger's note: Trooper, or the E Street Band

[Dallas]

If there's no season, and the NBL of Canada gets rolling, will there be a trip East for you? If so, I recommend the Picaroons microbrewery out of New Brunswick.

Blogger's note: I'd hope they'd listen to a pitch to do a story East of Oshawa, that's for sure

[Josh]

Same situation here as the above poster, on some days I can at least see the video title, but on other days I just get a big white box. Would be nice to at least get the title to look up later.

Blogger's note: Appreciate the heads-up

[Peter G]

Hi Doug,
Thanks for the plug for the NBL of Canada. What you said is right on about the way the organizers are planning the league carefully and deliberately .

Speaking from the point of view of someone from Saint John, NB, home of the Mill Rats, I can truly say that the group that ran our team last year was first class all the way. I can assure fans in the new franchises that they are in for a treat. We saw some great basketball, played at a high level, as well as lots of community involvement. The players were encouraged to visit schools, put on clinics, be available after each game for free autographs, and generally be part of the community. We averaged 3500 fans/ game which is good for a first year team playing in a 6000 seat venue, which they also share with the Memorial Cup winning Saint John Sea Dogs.

Last year my wife and I got 2 season tickets, but so many of our kids and grand-kids wanted to come with us, that this year we got 4.

We can hardly wait for the season to start. Come to Saint John sometime and see a game.

Peter G

[marc in panama]

Hola Doug,

The one thing I can say about a Springsteen show is that each and every time I saw him and the E Street Band play, (6xs) they left everything on the stage. Incredible shows!!! I've seen U2 (4xs) and while early shows were great, (going back to Joshua Tree), later shows became more of a spectacle and a sermon. Bono got waaaay to into himself and his causes. I appreciate he's done some incredible things, made a lot of people's lives better in this world through his charitable causes, but honestly I didn't pay good cash to hear him preach—shut up and sing the damned songs!!! My two cents for what they're worth.

marc in panama

[Peter]

Hey Doug, thanks for the blog.

Bruce Springsteen is the pinnacle, he has to be. No one has been making music with as much passion and genuine feeling for as long as he has. And I'm only 30, so I'm not coming to this from having listenend to Bruce my whole life. I'm coming to this with a genuine appreciation for one of the greats!

If this new basketball league is succesful, do you think there's a chance they might expand further west at some point?

Thanks Doug!

Blogger's note: I would presume they would -- slowly -- consider expansion once they're solid in their original markets

[Mike D.]

Good to see Artis Gilmore in the Hall. He never seemed to get the recognition he deserved because he was steady but unspectacular, but what a force in the middle. I like this picture, from his college days, of him blocking a shot well above the square:

http://www.rankopedia.com/CandidatePix/70405.gif

[Lorie]

Hi Doug,
I'm also looking forward to the NBL's debut in the fall. The Raptors seem to have their share of supporters down here in southwestern Ontario - you seem to have a good number of readers from not only London, but also Ilderton, Glencoe (Hey, Steph!), Windsor (Hi, Tim!), Woodstock and Tillsonburg etc., and I hope this will translate to a supportive fanbase for the NBL of Canada here in London. Now enough basketball crap. Onto the really important stuff - music, and the (oh so subjective nature of naming) The Best Rock and Roll Band of our Era. I love how U2 earnestly continues to ask the right questions - to ignite the fire in our social consciences - and how Bruce and The E Street Band always knows and touches the yearning in our hearts, but for the Greatest, Most Important Rock and Roll Band (still performing so it can't be The Beatles) my vote goes to The Rolling Stones. And I offer up this for your consideration. The song that Rolling Stone magazine named the 2nd most important rock and roll song of all time (after some ditty by a dude named Dylan). It's all about alienation and the search for authenticity. And other stuff. Cheers! And, Doug, Rock On.
http://youtu.be/dbJT_5rbvA0
http://youtu.be/yRAg4K7tNYs

[Devin]

This is a blog for the TORONTO Star, and you're picking U2 or Bruce Springsteen as the #1 band?

It's Rush, for crying out loud, and it's not even close. Toronto's own? YYZ? Come on! 40+ years and still going strong!

[Andre]

I'm interested in the NBL as well. Will the star cover the league? Will there be a team in Mississauga or Brampton? (I think they are great markets) How much do you think it costs to own a team.

Great blog

Blogger's note: No plans for anything in West GTA that I've heard and I won't hazard a guess on cost, sorry

[doug]

in regards to the greatest band of a era discussion era...to me there is one crucial element missing that being what is the definition of a era??..my era, life?, a particular music era?..what exactly...to do a greatest bands list of the 60's,70's,80's,90's and 00's would in my opinion be tougher and more apropos...and i must confess with all due respect to @Lori the Rolling Stones are my least favorite band of all time, I can't even listen to them on the radio if they come on, they sold out so long ago it's ridiculous, they haven't had a good tune in god knows when..I don't like anything they stand for....do you know something interesting about this years HOF'ers is that you have 3 guys (that I know of) that battled alcoholic related issues well they played and still managed to make the Hall, good for them as to fight it, deal with it and still perform isn't easy....a interesting class and good to see Tex finally get in...

[John]

Hi Doug,
I'm from Summerside and am looking forward to going to the games and hope they do well. From the local news articles it looks like each owner invested $100,000 to own a team, and need 2,000 per game to turn a profit. It seems like a lot for Summerside, the local pucks don't get nearly that much for to a game, but hope the community gets behind it and it's a success.

[doug]

ok this is my non-related b-ball rant of the week.....why is it if I open up the ESPN or S.I. sites and try to see whats going on with the PGA.I get this, McIlroy shoots 73 Tiger tries to rally is the headline on ESPN..on S.I. it's can Tiger rebound?/...hello who's winning the tourney??...is there any other sport that does this...the PGA tour has allowed themselves to be used so badly....can anyone one headline or maybe a link on that story at least let me know who is winning without having to go find a leaderboard and open it up...not only frustrating just absurd....ok that's it needed to vent..don't get me started on Finchem, how's the Fed Ex Cup going?, I think the only person that understands or let's on he does is Jim Nantz and the CBS crew, ask anyone else and they don't not only have a clue, but don't care...i think Fed Ex is getting fleeced on that deal....the PGA tour needs direction and leadership from someone, anyone, imagine when Tiger is gone (maybe he is now) the Tour will be a mess....ok rant really over this time...thanks...

[Tim H.]

Lorie (sorry, I don't get this whole @stuff!):

Just the Irregulars alone should be enough to keep the NBL alive!

Any idea where in London they would be playing? I'd be happy to take a game or six.

[Drew Ebanks]

Thanks a lot Doug for a great Blog Post
on the NBLCanada! We truly appreciate the support
for all things hoops.
Keep up your great work as always.
Talk to you soon.
Drew Ebanks

PR Director
NBL Canada Oshawa

[doug]

@Tim H..let's face it your not the sharpest knife in the drawer...if you want to use sarcasm or insult someone try to use a bit of intelligence,,,,if you knew or know London at all where do you think there playing...Alumni Hall? get real I can imagine your idol chat at a bar, how inspiring.......it's named after a founder of a beer company...is that smart enough for you...google @John labatt....idiot...unreal.....and he thought he was being cute....

[D-Mac Ottawa]

@Mike D: Classic shot of Artis. Now those are some serious hops! I'm pretty sure it was taken during the Elite Eight game of the 1970 NCAA tournament, with Jacksonville edging my alma mater the Iowa Hawkeyes 104-103 to advance to the Final Four. John Wooden's UCLA would beat Gilmore's Dolphins 80-69 to win their 4th straight title (and 10 of 12 between 1964 and 1973).
Back then, each division also had consolation games. Iowa beat Austin Carr's Notre Dame 121-106 in that tilt, despite Carr's 45 points.
Talk about talent back then (and those 120-point games attest to a lot of great, great shooters) – here's a few of the players from that 1970 March Madness: Gilmore, Carr, Dan Issl (Kentucky), Sidney Wicks and John Vallely (UCLA), Rick Mount (PUrdue), Pistol Pete Maravich (LSU), Rudy Tomjonavich (Michigan), Bob Lanier (St. Bonaventure), Calvin Murphy (Niagara!). That is high, high octane talent!!
I had the huge privilege to scrimmage informally nearly every afternoon in the old Iowa Fieldhouse with that amazing Iowa team, which featured Chad Calabria, Ben McGilmer, Glen (The Stick) Vidnovic, and two other All Americans and long-time NBAers: John Johnson and HOFer Downtown Freddie Brown.
Them were the days! Cheers, and thanks for posting that shot.

[D-Mac Ottawa]

Oh yeah, and along with that best band of the era thing, I'd think there's a spot in there somewhere for some consideration for these guys (oh, and a gal named kd, too, eh): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HuPRRRBAEFI&feature=related
Cheers.

[Lorie]

@Tim H
As @doug above said (in his own unique way!!!) they'll be playing at the John Labatt Centre (or as we call it "The JLC: Home of the London Knights!" which is a perfectly sized venue for the NBL - 9,100-seat capacity and right in the middle of our downtown. There's lots and lots of great restaurants, bars, bistros and hotels all within walking distance! Alumni Hall at UWO is nice: intimate, but too small a venue to be part of a successful business plan I would think, and quite a bit north of the downtown area. Cheers!

[Tim H.]

Doug (the commenter):

You must be looking in the mirror when you use the word 'idiot!'

Can you guarantee that the NBL team will be playing the Labatt Centre? Perhaps there is a 'more intimate' setting that would be more befitting a start-up league!

And, since I don't live in London, how in the world do you assume that I should know all about the city?????

I don't mind criticism, but when it is as unfounded as yours is, then you need to decide who the idiot is in this case!