This thread was inspired by a post from ima_drummer2k, who made a comment in the [now infamous] BornTexan's thread about the reasons why his enjoyment of basketball has been waning. I found the above quote to be interesting and insightful, and I thought that perhaps it merited its own thread. Do arenas have character? If so, what constitutes that character? What makes an arena unique, and what gives it an atmosphere separate from the atmosphere of other arenas? Do you agree that this uniqueness no longer exists around the league? Does Toyota Center have unique character and atmosphere? Also, of the arenas that you've been to, which did you think were the best? Admittedly I've only ever been to Staples Center (and only for NHL, funny enough), and I went to the Summit once when I was very young (hardly remember it).
The Thunder's arena has an amazing atmosphere. There are a couple others that have a good atmosphere so I don't think it has completely disappeared. But for the most part, NBA crowds and arenas are really boring. I wish the Toyota Center was rocking like this: <iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/WcvAOpnnMK0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> Much respect to Aris' fans!
They used to. Used to be named after something important to the city ... now they're just another lame display case for corporate branding.
Yeah, that really is one of the coolest things. Having arena nicknames like the Summit, Forum, Palace, Garden, etc. You don't get those kinds of intimate titles anymore.
Unlike baseball and football stadiums, NBA arenas really don't have the room to be unique. Fans create character and very few teams in the NBA can get them to games.
agree. the slice of character the Rowdies lend to TC is indicative of how things could be if real fans attended the games.
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/44YUnOoye58" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> Fan participation is 90% of arena character. Increase the # of wins, increase the "character" of the arena.
Yes. And, the arenas have been optimized. I think the NBA as an industry has pretty much figured out the best way, more or less, to design an arena to maximize their revenues, maximize the 'customer experience', and the operability of hosting 18,000 people and sell them concessions and merchandise, etc. They share this wisdom with one another as they make marginal innovations so they can be replicated in the other arenas. The result is a homogenous experience for the customer, who can count on the seat layout being roughly the same in any arena, the concessions being in the same place, the bathrooms in the same place and so on. The announcers are similar, and the mascots, and the cheerleaders, and what they do on their scoreboard and so on. What variation that's left is superficial. It's efficient, but you can't have character like this.
Growing up in a military family my entire life allowed me the opportunity to visit several NBA arenas. I've been to Atalanta, San Antonio, Houston, Boston, MSG, and to a wizards game. They are all the same, no one sets themselves apart. Brooklyn looks just like Toyota center but black. I love that we are attempting to set ourselves apart with a big screen but we're lacking something. Wish I could put my finger on it. Unfortunately I didn't get to experience the old arenas. But I've seen a lot of games in my 24 years, can't complain. great post.
Great video, sayin it all the time. It's not about the arenas or size. If the fans are lacking dedication or show their support in a too goofy way(Red Rowdies from what I see are part of the latter with their spacy outfits, funny posters and little chants aimed at players) you'll never get a great atmosphere. Europe shows where it's at, clubs have their songs and chants that every fan knows and they'll sing them together or from curve to curve. Add drums and everything and the experience is just so incredible compared to US sports.
That's one of the few things I like about baseball- each arena has a flavour, each team has a certain style to it. Watch any NBA game, ignore the logos and the jerseys, and you cannot tell where you are or what team it is. It's like we're all watching a video game that's stocked with generic arenas, players, and teams. There's no team culture anymore, and teams aren't connected with their cities. Hell, even most team names have little to do with their city. The Bobcats? The Kings? Raptors? I like names like the Pistons and Celtics- names that have a certain signifiance to where they play.
Yeah, the Jazz sort of stole New Orleans' nickname when they moved, and in turn New Orleans stole the Hornets nickname from Charlotte. Also did the Lakers when they moved from Minneapolis (last I checked, there were no lakes in Los Angeles lol) and Memphis taking the Grizzlies from Vancouver. I think the only names with any significance to their city currently are BOS, NY, LAL, PHO, HOU, DAL, SA, ORL, DET, CHI, DEN, POR, and MIN.
No, it's not like baseball, not even as much character as football. The NBA arenas are one tacky court after another and they all blend together honestly.
