NBA Relocation: Why Montreal's a Viable Option

All the recent talks about the Sacramento Kings' relocating to Anaheim got this writer thinking about what other North American cities would be able to support an NBA team.

Since I live in Canada, there has always been a part of me that wished that the Grizzlies never left Vancouver for "greener" pastures down south (seriously, Memphis?).  

If David Stern stopped to think once in a while before randomly throwing an NBA franchise to a city on nothing more than a whim, he would realize that Canada does have an attractive option for relocation: Montreal.

Of course, there are pundits out there that would cite the mere presence of the Canadiens as a roadblock for a potential NBA team in Montreal.  What I would suggest is to look to Montreal's biggest hockey rival for proof that one sport will not swallow another one whole in all cases.  

Since the early 1920s, when professional hockey was first introduced to Toronto, Ontario's capital city has been predominately a hockey town.  

There is no denying that Toronto lives and breathes hockey, but that does not discount the fact that the Toronto Raptors have garnered success in the same territory dominated by the Leafs.  The Raptors have sustained decent attendance over the course of their history despite innumerable mediocre seasons that the fans have been forced to endure.  

I believe that the same would hold true for Montreal.  

Montreal is also the second-largest city in Canada and the 15th largest in North America, which only increases its appeal as a potential NBA city.  Furthermore, Montreal has shown that they truly enjoy watching NBA basketball.  

Over 22,000 rabid fans showed up for a preseason match between the Raptors and the Knicks on October 22nd, 2010.  

While it is only one game and any team would have trouble maintaining that level of attendance, Montreal has shown that, given the opportunity, the fans will show up.  There is more than enough room for these fans, as Montreal has a world-class facility in the Bell Centre.  

The great city of Montreal is ready with open arms to welcome an NBA franchise.  The only question that remains is whether the NBA is ready to embrace Montreal as well.