Bill Simmons has called for the NBA's New Orleans Pelicans to be relocated, citing the city's lack of a successful franchise history.
Speaking on his podcast, Simmons explained why he doesn't defend the city of New Orleans having an NBA franchise. He noted that no franchise has found success in New Orleans dating back almost 50 years, and believes the city doesn't have an ingrained basketball culture tying it to a franchise.
The city of New Orleans has had a unique history with NBA franchises. They had their first team, the Jazz, from 1974 to 1979, before the franchise was moved to Utah. The city waited 23 years for their next team, the Charlotte Hornets, which relocated to New Orleans ahead of the 2002-03 NBA season.
The Hornets were temporarily moved to Oklahoma City due to the destruction caused by Hurricane Katrina, where they played as the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets. In 2013, the team was rebranded to the New Orleans Pelicans.
Simmons compared New Orleans to other cities, saying he feels differently about Portland and even Memphis, which have proven themselves as small-market franchises. However, he believes New Orleans would be the city that the NBA should consider relocating a team from.
The NBA has been expanding, with two new franchises set to join the league. However, Simmons' comments suggest that the league may need to consider relocating a team from a city that doesn't have a strong basketball culture. This could be a significant development for the league, and it remains to be seen how the NBA will respond to Simmons' comments.
The New Orleans Pelicans have struggled to find success in the city, and it's unclear if the team will ever be able to establish a strong following. The city's lack of a successful franchise history has been a topic of discussion among fans and analysts.
The NBA has not made any official statements about Simmons' comments, and it's unclear if the league will consider relocating the Pelicans. However, Simmons' comments suggest that the league may need to reevaluate its approach to expansion and relocation.
The NBA's expansion plans have been a topic of discussion in recent years, with the league announcing plans to add two new franchises. However, Simmons' comments suggest that the league may need to consider relocating a team from a city that doesn't have a strong basketball culture.
The New Orleans Pelicans are set to begin a new season, and it's unclear what the future holds for the team. The city's lack of a successful franchise history has been a challenge for the team, and it's unclear if they will ever be able to establish a strong following.
Source: Yahoo Sports