Jarrod Gillis provides current statistical data to NBA and NCAA teams through his work with Synergy Sports Technology (http://www.synergysportstech.com/). He is NBA Examiner for the Examiner which is a National publication. His career and educational experience in statistics and video has allowed him to gain extensive knowledge and an inside look on the game of basketball. You can follow Jarrod on Twitter.com @JarrodsNBA. Also read Jarrods articles here www.examiner.com/x-43656-NBA-Examiner.
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I asked Jarrod a couple of questions and here is what he had to say.Q.) Would you say St. Louis, MO is a good place to start an expansion team or move a current team that is for sale and has the ability to move here, to?
A.) Yes, I believe St. Louis would be a special place for NBA basketball. The fans would be great. I am sure they would provide that Midwestern spirit to the "Gateway to the West" City.
If you think about it, there appears to be this gaping hole in the middle of the U.S. where no team exists. OKC is nice and they have done a tremendous job providing people of the four-state area (MO, KAN, ARK, OK) a team to root for. However, for many it may still be considered somewhat southern demographically. It would be nice to have a truly centralized location represented proudly as well. There is tremendous American and Basketball history in St. Louis and I am sure that would come across in the people and business around the metropolitan area. Which make it a great city for the sport.
Q.) Obviously at one time the NBA was supported in St. Louis, so do you think that support would come again for a newly moved or formed team?
A.) Unfortunately, as great as the people and historical significance St. Louis presents, venue and money come into play, as surely you are well aware in bringing a franchise to a prospective city. So as feel-good a story bringing the NBA back to East Missouri would be, all would depend on potential ownership. It's not easy to do what OKC has done, their leadership and vision of what they wanted to represent to this point has been outstanding. Kevin Durant doesn't hurt either.
Ownership has to be willing to spend even at times when teams aren't winning and that, obviously can be tough to find ownership with the right people and beliefs in mind. But, if you can get that then, yes, among many other details St. Louis would be tremendous for NBA basketball.
I thank Mr. Gillis for giving his time and well thought out answers.
