In a perfect world, tonight’s matchup between the Grizzlies and Raptors would have been an all-Canadian showdown between two playoff teams in their respective conferences. A young, surprising team that vaulted up the Eastern Conference standings versus a more experienced gritty squad that had been causing havoc in the West for the past few years.
The Naismith Cup—symbolic or otherwise—would have been on the line and Vancouver and Toronto would tip it off in a battle for national supremacy.
Basketball Night in Canada.
But, alas, the Grizz left Canada’s west coast a long time ago. Memories of Mike Bibby, Bryant Reeves, Greg Anthony, Steve Francis, Brian Winters, Lawrence Moten and many more have long since faded, though a few Shareef Abdur-Rahim jerseys can still be spotted on hardcore fans wandering up and down Robson Street.
David Stern had a fabulous career as commissioner of the NBA, transforming the league into one of the most lucrative businesses (not just sports) in the world. But there were few hiccups during his reign and the Grizzlies departure is one that will likely never be rectified.
Michael Heisley already had one foot out the door when he purchased the franchise from Orca Bay Sports and Entertainment in 2000. In spite of pro-Canadian lip service in the initial days that followed the sale (actually promising to keep the team in Vancouver at one point), the American businessman almost immediately began planning the relocation.
The league could—and should—have stepped in and kept the team in Canada. However, a Canadian dollar that was hovering just above 60 cents US was a factor that Stern chose not to ignore. After only six seasons in Vancouver, the Grizzlies left for Tennessee.
If not for strong ownership (and, thus, the ability to dance through the tumultuous financial free fall taking place across the country) the Raptors could have faced a similar fate. But Toronto rode the wave of uncertainty that drowned their Canadian cousins and had some of their greatest moments as a franchise during those lean years. Vince Carter can be thanked for that. And many have wondered over the years whether Vinsanity could have saved Van City had the Grizzlies drafted Carter instead of Bibby second-overall in 1998.
The Aquilini Investment Group, owners of the NHL’s Canucks, has expressed interest in bringing the NBA back to Vancouver in recent years. But the NBA doesn’t seem to be in a hurry to expand and relocation doesn’t appear to be on the horizon for many clubs. The closest a team has come to moving recently was during the Maloof family’s sale of the Sacramento Kings. However, Seattle and Anaheim were mentioned most in those rumours—not Vancouver—and Kansas City and Las Vegas have long had investors attempting to bring teams to those cities.
Could new NBA commissioner, Adam Silver, right the wrong and give basketball fans in British Columbia a fresh start? Anything is possible. And though the Canadian dollar is sliding a bit again (nowhere near the degree it did 15 years ago), the business and real estate markets in Vancouver are strong and the multicultural, sports-savvy fan base is one the Association could capitalize on.
Until then, the Raptors are the only game in town. But five playoff appearances in franchise history (and only one second-round berth) have not generated a ton of Canada-wide support. Toronto, simply, must win more to attract more attention on a national level. The Blue Jays have not been to baseball’s post-season in 20 years but the club is still reaping the benefits of Canadian pride and passion instilled in so many fans— young and old—during their back-to-back championships in 1992 and 1993.
Seasons like this one will help the Raptors cultivate new fans and create coast-to-coast buzz. But many hoopsters and hipsters in Vancouver will never stop yearning for their own team.