By Shane Goodman shane@dmcityview.com

Balls will be bouncing

I’m not much of a professional basketball fan, and I haven’t been since the days of Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan and the like. Don’t get me wrong, I think basketball used to be a great sport. It now bores me to death. If watching a bunch of criminals partake in an organized activity was my thing, I would take a visit to the state pen. At least the hot dogs aren’t six bucks. 

My attitude could change now that I learned the inside information on a professional basketball team moving to Des Moines. This is a big coup for our city and may even get a guy like me to reconsider watching the sport. I certainly recall the American Basketball Association and what it meant to the world of sports. To have it right here in Des Moines is unbelievable. Editor Michael Swanger explicitly details the move, the motivation behind it, the potential impact on Des Moines and the coaches and players who will be involved, all in this week’s cover. The move, of course, does not come without controversy, and Swanger shares the views from those devilish detractors as well. But what excites me the most is the addition of Vladislav Koksenbolz, a handsome 7’8” center from Russia who will surely be a fan favorite — the Lew Alcindor of the day. 

Now, I realize that Central Iowans have not exactly showed up in droves to support basketball up to this point, but all the balls seem to be bouncing in the right direction. You’d be a fool not to follow along. Or something like that.

Thanks for reading.

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