It's because they're all at the Red Wings game. In more major cities that have both leagues, the NHL is at least close to even in attendance and buzz. That's real crowd buzz, not the buzz ESPN makes up. Lucky for the NBA that it has a loyal betting following or they'd be off the map.
Based on % to capacity 11-12 NHL vs 10-11 NBA, the last full seasons for each league:
Detroit: NHL
Chicago, basically even, buzz according to my friends there slight edge to Hawks.
Dallas NBA
Miami NBA
New York Even
Boston See Chicago. I live here in the Massachusetts. Boston is a hockey town.
Los Angeles NBA
Phoenix NBA
Denver NHL
Washington NHL
Toronto NHL
Minneapolis/St Paul NHL
Philadelphia NHL
New Jersey NHL Brutal market. Both could be in first place and they don't draw.
(San Jose-Golden State) Edge NHL. Up for debate.
Atlanta NBA when the Thrashers were there, but it was slight. Bad sports city that mimics Florida franchises with a bunch of transients.
In close but no cigar markets....Carolina over Charlotte Edge NHL Nashville over Memphis Edge NHL Cleveland over Columbus Edge NBA. Orlando over Tampa Bay Edge NBA. Slight. San Jose
Mark Cuban's message still rings true today:
http://www.thestar.com/opinion/colum...ge_to_nhl.html