As I’ve watched the NBA playoffs, six months and counting, I got to thinking about the prospects of an NBA franchise coming to Kansas City. Then, after talking with my Russian friend, “Drago Gorbachev”, about the NHL playoffs, the notion of an NHL franchise crept into my mind.

The reason I’m pondering another professional franchise making its way to the City of Fountains is because of the Sprint Center. The Sprint Center, is expected to “revitalize” Kansas City, the Big Fone, a nickname sure to take off, will almost certainly bring a new team to the area.

It’s unlikely that a team will be in place by the time the Big Fone opens in the Fall of 2007, but one will come.

So that’s why I – along with my friend Drago – will figure out what is the best choice for the Kansas City Metro area. I think by 2020, according to some mad social scientist Hugh Downs, Lawrence will be a part of the Kansas City Metro.

I’ll cut right to the chase, I’m a hoops guy. I love college basketball, I really like the NBA and I’m in a WNBA fantasy league. (The “We Love Kendra Weckers” are struggling right now). I’m all for the NBA calling Kansas City home again. Again? For those of you born post-1985, the Kings resided in K.C. for 13 years before moving to Sac-Town.

My boy Drago though, well, if you couldn’t already tell by the name, stereotypes be damned, he’s a hockey guy. In his Eastern European drawl, he tells me, “Fred, vat are you tinking? Ze NHL vould crush de NBA!”

In a one-on-one fist fight, sure, maybe. But I think the entourage factor gives the NBA a slight edge. While NHL tough guy Tie Domi may knock out Detroit Pistons strongman Ben Wallace initially, Ben’s barber, his 7th grade best friend and the woman who braids his hair brandishing a bag of nickels would finally get the last laugh. COMBAT EDGE – NBA.

Drago says, “Okay, okay, I’ll geev dat to de hoopers, but de hockey players look better den de hoopers.”

No contest. When it comes to who looks better, its Communist Bloc versus Hip-Hop. Missing Fronts versus Gold Fronts. Cold Streams versus Bling-Bling. The NBA wins this in a landslide. With the NBA’s new dress code, players looked sharp while still maintaining that urban vibe. Hockey players, sure some of them dress nice, but missing teeth? Grills may not be for everybody, but at least they’re something. APPEARANCE EDGE – NBA

Drago is very disheartened after losing that argument. His once proud, “I just killed Apollo Creed” moment is now swinging wildly as he looks for any edge the NHL might have. Wearily, he mumbles, “Ze hockey iz for everybody, ze people here in de Midvest vill love ze game and its speed and action, no?”

Okay, Drago, I’ll give you that. The speed and action of hockey is unlike any other sport. Guys flying around on skates a la Nancy Kerrigan, pre-Jeff Gilooly, smashing each other into the boards and the fights. Yes, the fights. No team sport has fights. Actually…

The NBA does have fights. Though they not only fight each other in the NBA, they fight the fans. You’re sitting in the Big Fone and you get this unmistakable urge to pelt Kobe Bryant with a hot dog. Imagine the melee that would ensue. Of course you’d get your brains beat out, but you’d be all over SportsCenter. Hockey can’t say that.

Drago is now ecstatic about the idea of the NBA coming to Kansas City, and so am I. Stay tuned for when we break down the movie rating system. Thumbs are for suckers!