I read with great interest recent news out of Portland that the possibility of professional basketball returning to Maine is a very real one in the form of an NBA Development League, or D-League, expansion franchise.

According to this newspaper, a former pro scout, assistant coach and director of basketball operations named Jon Jennings has researched and pursued the idea with such notables as Maine’s commissioner of basketball Peter Webb, former UMaine men’s hoop coach, Thomas “Skip” Chappelle, and K.C. Jones, former Boston Celtics great, who also coached the team.

In addition to the aforementioned hoop notables, Jennings has formed a partnership with T.D. Banknorth president Bill Ryan Sr. and his son Bill Ryan Jr. who owns Oxford Plains Speedway.

I was informed last Wednesday by phone message that the aforementioned group may be seeking my own input into such a venture.

Today, I will address issues that none of these people may have considered as they go about the business of planning another pro hoop team in this neck of the woods.

I wish this new bunch well. I really do. No affiliation with the Boston Celtics or connection to a storied franchise such as the Celtics is going to make a bit of difference to anyone who has to purchase a ticket to get into a game. At this writing, the Celtics have expressed an interest in a team in Portland by the 2009-2010 season, while the Toronto Raptors would like to see a team in southern Ontario by the 2009-2010 campaign.

The D-League has already had one team fold, while three others are currently inactive.

In a nutshell, dear readers, this isn’t even about a real good team or a real good product out on the floor. What this is about is competing with the competition locally which surrounds the new team.

For the record, I directed a pro basketball team, the Maine Lumberjacks of the Continental Basketball Association in Bangor, as their head coach and public relations guy – we played a couple of games in Portland – for almost two seasons. Make no mistake about it: We had quality players and our owners did a bang-up job of promoting and marketing the team.

The new NBADL team owners must never budget their franchise around gate receipts. To say the least, money is tight. Yes, the NBADL has some enticing variables to draw crowds, but I’m guessing that if there is any link between crowds and budgeting, it just won’t work.

Portland collectively bragged about location as a selling point for their United States Basketball League franchise, albeit a summer league team, which folded after one season. The new team will play during the fall and winter.

In this state, high school basketball is king. Any team which wishes to make inroads in athletics, regardless of its affiliation, is up against the best game in town when it comes to competing for everything from advertising dollars to attendance.

Towns and fans are forever linked to their own players. Toss into that mix the Portland Pirates hockey team – we dealt with the University of Maine hockey entry – and you automatically have set yourself up for another dilemma.

I’m not a pessimist by nature. And, I would love to see a pro team work. But for the aforementioned group to announce and speculate on crowds in the 3,000-plus range is this side of ridiculous.

Our average crowd here in Bangor with the Lumberjacks was 800-plus folks. Our best crowd in my two years was 3,200. Consider that, then consider what those numbers would do for a budget.

The NBADL in Portland is a nice idea, but in the end, NBA franchises get their future players from the college ranks. They always have, and they always will.

Put your money away, fellas. I’ve been there. I’ve done that. And it simply won’t work.

30-Second Time Out

Now that New England Patriots quarterback, Tom Brady, has announced that he and his ankle will be ready for Super Bowl game day this Sunday, I will answer hordes of questions regarding my own predictions with this: Pats 28, Giants 14.

bdnsports@bangordailynews.net