Some economists say that a pro sports franchise has no more economic impact on a region than a decent-sized grocery store. I have always believed this to be true. As a community, we're growing ever more separate. That story talked about blacks and whites. But it could have been rich and poor, old and young, anything.
Sports has a way of bringing people together.
Of bridging gaps. Of giving people something in common. Because I've lived in Memphis going on six years, because both my sons were born here, and because there's at least a shot it will help make this a better, closer community. I have all the respect in the world for those who disagree, for David Waters and Bart Sullivan and Michael Kelley and David Kushma and the murderer's row of opinion leaders at this paper who have been opposed to or highly skeptical of the entire NBA effort. That's the safer, maybe even more sensible position.