Vancouver Sun, Pg E1, September 10
Vancouver NBA hopes hurt by geography
Kelsey unfazed by underdog role, moving forward on Hornets' move
By Gary Kingston
Basketball junkie Howard Kelsey, who got the ball rolling on Vancouver's offer to rescue the NBA's displaced New Orleans Hornets, concedes the city and GM Place are "probably not the favourite," but that won't stop the ex-national team player from his hoops crusade.
Kelsey initiated the city's entreaty to the NBA after getting the go-ahead from Mayor Larry Campbell. He then secured the support of Vancouver Canucks owners Francesco Aquilini and John McCaw. Aquilini, who did not return calls Friday, is now dealing with the NBA.
"The one big advantage we have is that we are the only literal, NBA-approved plug-in-and-play of the candidates that are out there," said the exciteable Kelsey of the fact GM Place played host to the Vancouver Grizzlies for six seasons before the underachieving, money-losing franchise was relocated to Memphis in 2001.
Vancouver, however, is just one of nearly a dozen cities that have offered their arena to the Hornets.
The New Orleans Arena will be uninhabitable for some time following the flooding that accompanied Hurricane Katrina and resulted in the total evacuation of the city.
"What they've told me is the issue for Vancouver, the only downside, is proximity," said Kelsey, head of the HSBC high school basketball tournament. "They want it as close to [New Orleans] as possible."
(edit)
Frank said the ideal situation would be for the Hornets to play somewhere close to New Orleans.
"But nothing about this situation is ideal. I think their hearts are in the right place [in wanting to be close to the city], but whether or not that's realistic, it's something we have to figure out."
(edit)
Frank said there is no timetable, but Kelsey said he's been told the league will make a decision within a week.
Vancouver NBA hopes hurt by geography
Kelsey unfazed by underdog role, moving forward on Hornets' move
By Gary Kingston
Basketball junkie Howard Kelsey, who got the ball rolling on Vancouver's offer to rescue the NBA's displaced New Orleans Hornets, concedes the city and GM Place are "probably not the favourite," but that won't stop the ex-national team player from his hoops crusade.
Kelsey initiated the city's entreaty to the NBA after getting the go-ahead from Mayor Larry Campbell. He then secured the support of Vancouver Canucks owners Francesco Aquilini and John McCaw. Aquilini, who did not return calls Friday, is now dealing with the NBA.
"The one big advantage we have is that we are the only literal, NBA-approved plug-in-and-play of the candidates that are out there," said the exciteable Kelsey of the fact GM Place played host to the Vancouver Grizzlies for six seasons before the underachieving, money-losing franchise was relocated to Memphis in 2001.
Vancouver, however, is just one of nearly a dozen cities that have offered their arena to the Hornets.
The New Orleans Arena will be uninhabitable for some time following the flooding that accompanied Hurricane Katrina and resulted in the total evacuation of the city.
"What they've told me is the issue for Vancouver, the only downside, is proximity," said Kelsey, head of the HSBC high school basketball tournament. "They want it as close to [New Orleans] as possible."
(edit)
Frank said the ideal situation would be for the Hornets to play somewhere close to New Orleans.
"But nothing about this situation is ideal. I think their hearts are in the right place [in wanting to be close to the city], but whether or not that's realistic, it's something we have to figure out."
(edit)
Frank said there is no timetable, but Kelsey said he's been told the league will make a decision within a week.
Comment