Rockets @ Clippers Nov. 8th [My first Rockets game]

AD 5) I would. But I live in Slovenia

 

well first off all I hope you aren't going on the 8th because the game is on the 7th.


i've been to several clippers/rockets game so i'll answer your questions:

1) you can call staples center before hand generally though my experience is that they open doors 2 hours-90minutes before hand depending on the day of the game. so maybe around 530pm to 6pm they'll start letting people in.

2)taking pictures with the players? it really depends. i usually have seats in sec 102 which is behind the visitors bench and the staff there normally doesnt allow people down further than the first row. i know one or two guys that work there that give me some leeway to take pictures closer. I think 106 maybe behind the basket closer to the visitors bench? if thats the case i am not sure...there is this one b**** security guard over on that side that wont let you move out of your section. it also depends on the players some of them will only take pictures for a second and move on. the best spot to actually sit is right by the visitors tunnel.

FYI -Scola was one of the most friendliest players I met and so was Landry. When it came to taking pictures.

3)if you are there early and wearing rockets gear chances are you wont be move down too close but who knows. you definitely wont be able to go sit in rows A etc...but maybe down to row 2? possibly

4)parking is 20 bucks at the official staples parking lots. so it depends up to you really. you can park further away for cheaper in other parking lots. i usually just get parking at the arena so i dont need to walk too far and i dont always trust the other parking lots...

5) i should be there i am not sure yet what section..could be 102 could be a different one definitely will let you know where. if i am in the lower bowl you probably wont be able to miss me

 

Good stuff. I'm down here in San Diego and will be trying to make it up there for either that game or the lakers one. Probably the lakers though. I want to be there live when kobe gets frustrated and teched out after being shut down down by Ron and Shane.

 

the lots and garages by the original pantry are 8 bucks (last season's rate) only a 2 block walk to the arena

 

I have been to like 3 Clippers games and opening night against the Lakers in the last two years and we have won all 4 games. So that obviously means I am the good luck charm of the Rockets!

I'll be sitting in section 106 row 8.

This is the part of the arena I have sat in in 3 of the 4 games and I love it! I usually try to get in the letter seats since number seats start after them. So It goes row A-M (I believe it ends at M) and then starts with the numbers.

1. What time should I arrive there if I want to get some pictures and watch the shootaround? The game is at 7:30pm.

Get there at about 6 o'clock just to be safe because the last time I went, I got caught in traffic and missed the shoot around. So I didn't get a chance to take any pictures with the players or get autographs. Best to be safe than sorry.

2. Will I be even allowed to take pictures with the players if I get in early at Staples?

It depends. Since you are sitting to the left of the visitor's tunnel, you can move over to the rail and get signatures and pictures as the players come out to shoot around. However, the big names don't come out until much later and by that time, the arena is filling up and the security guards won't let you stand by the rail since there are seats there.

3. What are the chances of me moving down the section? Is the security tight? It shouldn't be afterall, it is a clippers game.

Chances are slim to none. Especially the area your seats are. Like YoYo said, there is this one security lady that can be a b**** (and is) most of the time. I remember one game, the seats in front of us were completely empty and some people tried to move up, but she sent then back (even though they moved up only one row).

4. Where should I park?

Find parking around Staples. You can find parking for $10 that is close to Staples.

5. Anyone else going?

This is the only thing I hate about law school! I was really hoping that the Rockets played the Lakers or Clippers in LA sometime in December or May, but stupid NBA ruined that. Hopefully I can try to catch a game against the Warriors!

The first game I went to against the Clippers, I got really lucky because Novak called me up to sign my hat and as I walked up to him, a security guard ran and almost tackled me to the floor (you aren't allowed to go on the court ). But then another security saw that it wasn't my fault so he took me to the visitor's tunnel and let me stand by the Rockets locker room and I got to met, take pictures, and get autographs from all the Rockets players and as an extra treat, I got to meet Sam Cassell. So it never hurts to get there early.

 

I bet the clippers will get addmit to the playoffs, at least they looks a little bit better than last season and I think they should have entered last season's playoffs if brand had not been sidelined for most of the season. They appears to be more competitive at least on paper, with signing double davis at unbelievably low prize and stealing camby form denver. Chris Kaman and Camby in the paint, thorton and Ricky at the wing while Baron play the PG, and with cat, eric gordon who is a lottery rookie on bench, no reason to consider them less competive than denver or mav or warriors who are they major rivals in chasing the 8th place in the west.

 

Cheaper parking should be available if you plan on arriving early around 6 for the pictures. If you can only get there 15-20 minutes before tipoff, definitely pay the 20 bucks for the Staples Center parking for quick entry and peace of mind.

 

Very good info from everyone. Me, sunsrocketsfan, and RAID usually make the trip up from San Diego and get there a couple hours before tipoff. Most of the time the doors aren't open yet but it's fun just to hang around and run into other other Rockets fans. It'll be easier to move down within your section, but really hard to move into lower sections as security is pretty tight about checking tickets. Also, don't expect to get any pictures with players...if you do consider it a bonus. Overall, no one will cut you much slack when you're decked out in Rockets gear.

 

5. I'm doing my best to make sure I make both games at Staples that weekend...

 

Man, you guys get some nice tickets. How much does it cost for tickets in the 100 section at staples?

 

depends on where of course the seats my company has faced at 175 a piece that was row 7 in sec 102 right behind the visitors bench.

the corners and behind the basket go for less and of course the higher up you go