NBA Commissioner Adam Silver gave his annual state-of-the-league address at Scotiabank Arena ahead of Game 1 He spoke about expansion among a bevy of topics, as Tim Reynolds of The Associated Press relays.
“We are just not in expansion mode at the time,” Silver said. “We’re flattered that other Canadian cities have expressed interest, as some other U.S. cities have, but again, nothing new. I’ve said this before: We, meaning the NBA collectively, all our team owners are very focused on creating the best possible competition among the 30 teams.”
Should expansion occur, Las Vegas and Seattle are likely contenders for teams.
“I’m sure inevitably, at some point, we’ll turn back to expansion,” Silver said. “But that’s not on the agenda at this time.”
Silver touched on the ongoing trade and tariff clash between the United States and China, declaring that he’s “not concerned at this time.”
“Of course, we’re not immune from global politics,” Silver said. “It’s something that we’re paying a lot of attention to. I look, though, to sports — and this is something Yao and I have discussed — where we can use basketball maybe in the way ping-pong was used in the days of Richard Nixon. There could be something called ‘basketball diplomacy.’”
Silver spoke on the Clippers’ situation with the Staples Center and their desire to move to a new arena. The team currently shares its home with the Lakers and the Los Angeles Kings of the NHL.
“I think from a league standpoint, if you had both teams in the playoffs, plus a successful hockey team there, it becomes very difficult for us for scheduling purposes,” Silver said. “So in terms of the overall marketplace and the concert marketplace, I can’t speak to that. But maybe purely out of self-interest for the NBA, it would be helpful to have another arena in town.”
Fan behavior was another topic during the commissioner’s speech. Russell Westbrook was heckled and allegedly received racist taunts by a fan in Utah. Silver said the league did not need to step in because of how the franchise handled the situation.
“We have such tremendous confidence in the Miller family, and Gail Miller as the principal owner, I thought by her taking the court prior to the following game, speaking directly to the people in that community and saying, ‘This does not represent our community,’ I think that was much more powerful than me issuing a statement from all the way across country in the New York,” Silver said. “I think they handled it very well.”
Silver also weighed in on the antics of entertainer Drake, who has sat courtside during many Raptors games this postseason. During the Eastern Conference Finals, Drake wandered from his seat and gave coach Nick Nurse a shoulder rub.
“We certainly appreciate his super-fan status, and I know he’s beloved in the community of Toronto,” Silver said. “I think certainly we don’t want fans, friend or foe, contacting an NBA coach during a game.”
The Raptors should stick it to the NBA and everyone whining about the Drake situation but putting him on the “coaching staff” – what would it hurt? A few years ago the Cubs put a retired Manny Ramirez on their staff and he certainly had no value other than being himself in the dugout. Sure it’s a little different he was actually a great player prior to that situation but put Drake on as a “trainer” or “therapist” and just stick it to the league and everyone whining about it! Haha
Except for the the NBA Rule 3 Section IV Part D “The bench shall be occupied only by a league-approved head coach, a maximum of three assistant coaches, players and trainer.” so Toronto would need to get rid of a coach just to have Drake there and I doubt he is more important than a coach
Courtside seats aren’t the bench.
And Drake would certainly have less ability to act the way he does if he was an “official” member of the coaching staff. He gets excused because he’s a fan who, while annoying, does very little to zero actual harm.
Yes and he has better seats than a coach, too! Certainly better than a player.
Drake seemed to be lowering his profile last night. No sign of agitating Draymond until the end (that they showed, anyway).
Drake even has a table next to him for an elbow to rest on, effectively making his seat wider! Downside, sometimes a player will block his view of the court.
I should be so rich.
Basketball would be better with 26-28 teams. Over 28 teams the law of diminishing returns kicks in.
LOL, I agree. So let’s kick out the two worst-run teams down to the GL. A league without Lakers and Knicks would be interesting …
Where do you get 28 so specifically? And what does this source say about 20+20 with promotion & relegation?
Either for expansion or moving teams they got to stop with the Las Vegas nonsense. Seattle, San Diego or San Juan are way better options!
Seattle yes, but there’s crazy old cesc suggesting that San Juan PR makes more sense than Vegas.
What, you don’t know your Canadian Geography? How about Brandon, Manitoba; or St. John’s, Newfoundland?
Ok, if you don’t want to move it North of the border, I am sure Fayetteville, Arkansas or Cheyenne, Wyoming would be pumped to land a team.
I can’t stand Drake, and this is coming from a Torontonian. What an embarrassment, worse than even Cuban during his early Mavs days.
San Juan does make more sense. Lots of money to be made from new customers. Can’t drive there but players fly. (And boy do their arms get tired *rimshots*)
Boy greg1 are you really that ignorant? San Juan is a huge city, very very well known worldwide, with a huge fan base, way safer than Mexico City if the league wants to expand to Hispano-America… So many reasons why it is much better than Las Vegas or any Canadian city, I mean Canada? Really? Seriously? I as a fan rather go to the Caribbean than to Canada any day of the week & twice on Sundays my boy!!!