Is it weird that Pittsburgh isn't an NBA city?

[msgkings322]

Or am I overthinking it? They have the other 3 major sports...are they just too close to Cleveland? Is it kind of like why Cleveland doesn't have an NHL team?

 

[tlance]

I think it would be weirder if they did. Just doesn't seem like a basketball town for some reason.

 

[BigFin]

They had the Pythons.

 

[Black Adam]

I think it would be weirder if they did. Just doesn't seem like a basketball town for some reason.

actually you never know. the NBA I understand might be considering expansion in the not-too-distant future...

 

[BigFin]

I heard someone from Pitt state that the city doesn't really want a NBA franchise.

 

[shopson67]

Don't forget the Pisces...

 

[SteelersPride]

actually you never know. the NBA I understand might be considering expansion in the not-too-distant future...

no, they tried putting some other forms of hoops here, its just not a good town for it

 

[Shaqdaddy11]

If any city deserves a team it's Seattle

 

[msgkings322]

I think it would be weirder if they did. Just doesn't seem like a basketball town for some reason.

But this is sort of tautological....it doesn't seem like an NBA town because well, it's not one and unlike Seattle hasn't been one. I wouldn't say the same thing about Tampa even though they have all 3 other sports. NOt that they should, their MLB team needs to move.

 

[tlance]

But this is sort of tautological....it doesn't seem like an NBA town because well, it's not one and unlike Seattle hasn't been one. I wouldn't say the same thing about Tampa even though they have all 3 other sports. NOt that they should, their MLB team needs to move.

Pittsburgh's culture is synonymous with football and baseball. I don't think that is true for Tampa. In fact, I don't think it would be weird at all to have the NBA in Tampa. We will likely never see that, however because they already have 2 Florida teams.

 

[Lakers+USC=#1]

How do you really know if it's not a basketball town? Wouldn't basketball have to be there to find out? Who's to say they wouldn't embrace it if it came?

 

[Wamu]

actually you never know. the NBA I understand might be considering expansion in the not-too-distant future...

Expansion huh? Well the city of L.A. is big enough for 2 NBA teams. Kind of a shame that a city of that size only has the Clippers.

 

[wildturkey]

I remember thinking this also several years back and if I remember my googling correctly, the sentiment seemed to be the area just isn't very supportive of basketball, at least not pro basketball. I always found that odd since the Pitt Panthers have good following, but it must have some truth to it. With the exception of Seattle (which had more to do with Bennett just wanting to move the team), market forces typically don't lie. If a team isn't there, it probably isn't economically viable. Pittsburgh, in its current economic state, just might not be able to support 4 total pro teams. And as for the NBA itself, it'd be a waste to even go there. Between Cleveland and Philly, that entire geographical area is pretty much saturated.

On a somewhat tangentially related note, the new 2k game this year allows you to expand the league from 30 up to 36 teams. So Seattle, Pittsburgh, Vancouver, wherever can all have teams!

 

[broncosmitty]

It's not as weird as Milwaukee not having a hockey team.

 

[DJ Fieri]

PA already has 1 minor league basketball team.

 

[DJ Fieri]

In all seriousness.....Pittsburgh is a football and baseball city.

But, I do want to visit since the GF has family there and I hear Primantis makes one Hell of a sammich.

 

[psaboy]

In all seriousness.....Pittsburgh is a football and baseball city.

But, I do want to visit since the GF has family there and I hear Primantis makes one Hell of a sammich.

More a hockey town than baseball

 

[DJ Fieri]

actually you never know. the NBA I understand might be considering expansion in the not-too-distant future...

If the NBA does get another expansion team it won't be in Pittsburgh.

 

[Scapegoat]

Don't forget the Pisces...

Get down Pisces

 

[Hornsstampede2.0]

Basketball towns are the ones that have a clearly defined vibrant urban downtown.
The NBA experience is one of a glamourous night out in the big city, with a nice dinner, and cocktails later.
There are obvious exceptions, usually cities without any other pro teams, that simply were desperate for anything.

Pittsburgh has underwent an incredible renaissance in the last 15 years.

It has kicked off its manufacturing roots to embrace the wealthy urban lifestyle of fancy restaurants and bars.
It might be the coolest and hippest city in America now.

An NBA franchise would fit perfectly into the "new Pittsburgh". They would support it well.