(the sports edition)

• This is a satisfying story to read about as a former Grizzlies fan that was crushed when that bastard Heisley moved them to Memphis.  The  team’s ticket prices are lowest in the league and attendance was second lowest in the NBA last year. Add the two together and the Grizzlies generated only $322,000 per game, which is one sixth of what the LA Lakers pull in at the gate.  Maybe it wasn’t Vancouver after all.

• I am not as happy to hear about this prediction, however.  Are sponsors, or a lack thereof, the determining factor as to whether the games are a success or not?  Not entirely.  But I have a feeling that the tourist element in Vancouver is also not going to be as strong as earlier forecasts.

• A propagandist?  Wow, thanks Charlie!  Once again, I wish that such a title was accompanied by that elusive cheque that Charlie is so hotly pursuing.  Alas, it unfortunately isn’t, which will likely force Charlie to go back to the hard hitting stories about Vision Vancouver colour schemes that has earned him the reputation that he so richly deserves.

• I am very excited about the picking of the Olympic Men’s Hockey team which will be announced on December 30 by GM Steve Yzerman.  I don’t mind these predictions, although if Stamkos doesn’t make it just like Crosby didn’t four years ago, it will be a huge mistake…mark my words.

• Don’t hold your breath, Canucks fans.  It has been a rough first half for you guys and for my  beloved Habs, although they have just won 3 in a row with the return of Markov.  If the Canucks make it, so too will the Habs.  If they don’t, I think both teams miss.  Somehow I have a feeling that their fates are linked.

• This will be fun.  In fact, pulling football (Br) and football (Am) away from the dome will be more of an impetus for myself and many other quasi-fans to make more of an effort to attend games.  I absolutely hate BC Place, and no amount of renovations are going to change that.  Like I have previously stated, this is the stadium that is going to be responsible for the worse opening ceremonies in Olympic history.

That’s it for today, and for the next few, folks.  Merry Christmas to you and your families.  I will see you back here after Boxing Day.