I've only been to the Toyota Center to watch NBA games, so I was just curious of what your favorite experiences are from going to road games and what arenas you really liked.
Madison Square and TD Garden, but that might be the appreciate the history in me (that its not still Boston Garden takes some points out of Boston) But it depends what you want, Oracle and Chesapeake have the college atmosphere, Barclays is probably the most state of the art atm
I went to TD Garden for their season opener vs BKN. Totally different experience than Toyota Center. A huge difference was that there were no ushers to prevent us from going down to the baseline courtside seats before the game and getting some great shots of players warming up. Coming from a person that has never been fortunate enough to have seats that close, the experience was amazing. Just seeing KG coming out of the tunnel and making layups a few feet in from of me gave me chills. The same goes for Rondo, Joe Johnson, DWill and Kirilenko (ugh). Similarly, it was just stunning seeing all the banners in the rafters. Even though the team was terrible on paper, there was a certain aura about being associated with such a legendary franchise. Lastly the fans were genuine and seemed down to earth. The folks around me knew their basketball and were engaged in the game. It made the experience for a neutral like me very enjoyable. All in all, I highly recommend it.
Nice, I didn't know people went to away games for other teams other than the Rockets. I would probably lose interest.
been to 3 other arenas- Oracle, MSG, and TD Garden. All 3 were awesome to watch games at. Oracle for a Warriors-Sixers game in 2012, and even though they weren't an elite team then, the energy of the crowd was incredible. Most impressive was when the Warriors were on their heels a little bit and the crowd started cheering on their own (no PA chants or audio clips to start them off) to rally the team. Very smart fans. MSG- went for a Knicks-Jazz game this year (Knicks lost) and it was a blast. Their crowd camera during timeouts is obviously top notch (always someone famous taking in a game). Even though the team was terrible, it was still a sellout. They renovated the stadium recently and the concourse is pretty cool. History everywhere you look. TD- saw the Rockets-Celtics this year. We won! I sat near the Rockets tunnel and had an awesome time. I was loud and people were still polite. It's not the same as MSG since this isn't the real Boston Garden, but to see the rafters and all the banners was pretty cool. Fans were great and it was a good crowd. Interesting that random kids across the country are now Rockets fans because of James Harden (a la everyone being a Bulls fan in Jordan's heyday). Lots of kids in rockets gear sitting with their dads in celtics gear. moral of the story? Our fans suck. But we already knew that All 3 stadiums were basically packed before tipoff and the crowd was into it throughout. Maybe one day we'll get there.
Madison Square in 2006 - NY vs ATL - boring game, cool experience cuz of the history. Verizon Center in 2013 - Wizards vs Mavs - boring game, but had good seats. Had a blast cheering against the Mavs. Quicken Loans this year - ROCKETS vs Cavs - by far the best experience as a Rockets fan. Wifey got me courtside seats for my birthday. Fans were definitely passionate, but friendly. Had some good overall bball conversations with people around us.
I must be getting old. The first several NBA arenas I thought of are no longer in use (Veterans Memorial in Phoenix, Compaq Center, Alamodome, The Pyramid). I have been to several current ones (Toyota Center, American Airlines Center, Verizon Center, Chesapeke Energy, and FedEx Forum). I think FedEx Forum is my favorite.
Palace of Auburn Hills: My hometown arena. Been numerous times most recent being this season. They updated there screens at mid court which are awesome. Built in the late 80s but holds up really well both outside and in. Also since Gores bought the team they have put great halftime performances. Air Canada Center: Watched a Raptors game there once and it is a really cool arena. Newer stadium so it looks awesome and it is in the heart of the city right on the street so as you walk down the block there it is.
Was it boring or did you have a blast:grin:. That Cavs game was the one Lebron sat out in right, that's gotta be frustrating as a fan. But glad you had fun.
The best arenas are the ones that don't support hockey, only basketball. They have the tightest lower bowls...and thus, the best views and the loudest fans.
I went to a few Nets games before they moved to Brooklyn. It was pretty pathetic and none of the fans seemed to really care.
Only been to 3 I regularly go to Nuggets games, so I go to Pepsi Center a lot. Kinda generic, but a cool underground saloon under the stadium, lots of great beer throughout as well Toyota center obviously, its fine, nothing special and MSG, which was a complete dump. I can't imagine a stadium being much worse than it
LMAO... boring game overall cuz i dont care for either of teams, however, it's always fun cheering against anything Dallas (still not sure if it's making sense lol) Also had great company at the game itself lol Yeah, unfortunately that Cavs game was without Lebron.
I went to my first Spurs game in SA this year as I moved there for school, and I just have to say that we Rockets fans have it good! The AT&T center is need for a major renovation. Everything is old inside there, and I did not like how far I felt from the game as I was sitting in the nosebleeds. I did like the "Fan Zone" they had where anyone can just sit down and eat at tables, while being able to watch the game on the court.
