USA - Professional Basketball Arenas

[BoulderGrad]

Originally Posted by SpicyMcHaggis

What are the chances of Twolves moving to the Xcel Energy Center one day? At least judging by the pictures that venue looks a lot better than Target Center.

The only talk of such things came from the Saint Paul mayor a while back:
http://www.foxsportsnorth.com/05/25/...94&feedID=3793

No real serious consideration of the plan. Tho it makes sense to me. Why do both teams need their own arena?

[rantanamo]

Originally Posted by BoulderGrad

The only talk of such things came from the Saint Paul mayor a while back:
http://www.foxsportsnorth.com/05/25/...94&feedID=3793

No real serious consideration of the plan. Tho it makes sense to me. Why do both teams need their own arena?

Coming from a metro with two major cities, I can tell you that the smaller city is probably constantly wanting everything the larger city gets and considers anything they do or can beat the larger city at is a major victory.

[JJG]

Originally Posted by rantanamo

Coming from a metro with two major cities, I can tell you that the smaller city is probably constantly wanting everything the larger city gets and considers anything they do or can beat the larger city at is a major victory.

Coming from that very same metro, I can say that "major victory" is a bit much.

[Dallaz]

This thread isn't about Staples VS MSG! Please get back on topic.

[Dallaz]

Originally Posted by Benn

There is no talk of that, other than during a possible Target Center renovation. It would probably do fine for both teams, but there are potential logistical conflicts that would come up with both in the same venue. The Target Center's lower level has also been permanently reconfigured for basketball giving it better sightlines than multipurpose arenas.

Target Center


Current Exterior, which is pretty atrocious in my opinion.


The suprisingly pleasant and functional seating bowl

There is a renovation plan in place for the Target Center, probably with funding attached to the new vikings stadium. It would give it a new main entrance new facade (a vast improvement in my mind) improved concourses, 3 new club areas, loges (but with fewer suites) and a party deck. My understanding is that the VIP situation post renovation would include +/- 40 suites (down from 68) a courtside club with about 500 seats, a lower level club along the opposite side with around 1,000 seats, a new 500 seat endline club and 40-60 loges (4-6 seat sort of mini suites) the current Cambria club area. If this renovation went through the Target Center would probably be better suited to the needs of the Timberwolves than the X. For comparisons sake the Xcel Center has 72 suites and about 3,000 club seats.

renovation web site -http://targetcenterrenovation.org/


The Vastly improved exterior that is proposed.

The current exterior of Target Center is very dated. The new design looks more modern.

[Timothy83]

I think the main things holding back the wolves from moving is that the new arena is smaller in capacity, is designed around a hockey rink not a basketball court, and the wolves' stadium isn't that bad. However the new arena may have more boxes. I don't know, although you'd think the wolves would have kicked that tire long ago.

Anyway, I'm hoping we'll post more pictures of of arenas outside of just lakers and knicks. It's interesting, a lot of people talk about other leagues having great arenas, but the nba has a pretty good standard. I'd say Golden State, Milwaukee and Sacramento are definitely in need of a new stadium, or possibly a move to San Jose in the latter's case (just my opinion, it seems everyone is moving there these days), although it might conflict with the warrors' position. But for a league of 30 teams that's pretty good. I can't think of any others.

Quick question, are Detroit happy? I've been told by two friends that it's not a nice arena and is quite dated.

[Benn]

Originally Posted by Timothy83

I think the main things holding back the wolves from moving is that the new arena is smaller in capacity, is designed around a hockey rink not a basketball court, and the wolves' stadium isn't that bad. However the new arena may have more boxes. I don't know, although you'd think the wolves would have kicked that tire long ago.

Anyway, I'm hoping we'll post more pictures of of arenas outside of just lakers and knicks. It's interesting, a lot of people talk about other leagues having great arenas, but the nba has a pretty good standard. I'd say Golden State, Milwaukee and Sacramento are definitely in need of a new stadium, or possibly a move to San Jose in the latter's case (just my opinion, it seems everyone is moving there these days), although it might conflict with the warrors' position. But for a league of 30 teams that's pretty good. I can't think of any others.

Quick question, are Detroit happy? I've been told by two friends that it's not a nice arena and is quite dated.

A lot of it has to do with control, even though the city of Minneapolis owns the arena everything is done to meet the Wolves wants and needs. They can also avoid any logistical issues that arise from multiple teams sharing an arena. They can also keep it to a truly basketball layout, meaning that seats down around the floor are more desirable and they can probably charge more for the first few rows (behind courtside) around the corners and ends. For the record the Xcel center has a few more suites (like 12 more at the moment) and like 2,700 more club seats (post renovation the Target Center should have something like 2,000 club seats and 40-60 loges).

Similarly Detroit controls the Palace pretty much all the way around and sells something like 192 suites annually, and can do 22,000 a game. So if its functional for fans and financially working for them does it really matter that its kind of dated?

[rantanamo]

Originally Posted by JJG

Coming from that very same metro, I can say that "major victory" is a bit much.

with all the crowing about Cowboys Stadium being in Tarrant County, I think I'm right on.

[JJG]

Originally Posted by rantanamo

with all the crowing about Cowboys Stadium being in Tarrant County, I think I'm right on.

It's not a major victory.... just fact.

Besides. it's not about having EVERYTHING the other city has or having the better of everything. Just a little recognition would do.

[rantanamo]

Originally Posted by JJG

It's not a major victory.... just fact.

Besides. it's not about having EVERYTHING the other city has or having the better of everything. Just a little recognition would do.

yeah, tell that to Moncrief and Dr Cluck.

[JJG]

Originally Posted by rantanamo

yeah, tell that to Moncrief and Dr Cluck.

Gotta do something. Being the #2 (and also, the #3 in this case) isn't appealing ALL the time.

[TexasBoi]

Originally Posted by JJG

It's not a major victory.... just fact.

Besides. it's not about having EVERYTHING the other city has or having the better of everything. Just a little recognition would do.

There's a good and bad to that. The good is that it actually is helping you get some recognition. Heard Fort Worth more than Dallas during the Super Bowl. The bad is that you are influencing the rest of the metroplex cities to act the same way.

[en1044]

Verizon Center



image hosted on flickr

[nomarandlee]

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1...a-arena/page/2

Power Ranking Every NBA Arena

29. Power Balance Pavillion (Arco Arena), Sacramento Kings
28. Bradley Center, Milwaukee Bucks
27. Oracle Arena, Golden State Warriors
26. The Palace of Auburn Hills, Detroit Pistons
25. Prudential Center, New Jersey Nets
24. New Orleans Arena, New Orleans Hornets
23. Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland Cavaliers
22. Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia 76ers
21. Verizon Center, Washington Wizards
20. Chesapeake Energy Arena, Oklahoma City Thunder
19. US Airways Center, Phoenix Suns
18. TD Garden, Boston Celtics
17. Philips Arena, Atlanta Hawks
16. Toyota Center, Houston Rockets
15. EnergySolutions Arena, Utah Jazz
14. Air Canada Centre, Toronto Raptors
13. Target Center, Minnesota Timberwolves
12. Rose Garden, Portland Trail Blazers
11. AT&T Center, San Antonio Spurs
10. Time Warner Cable Arena, Charlotte Bobcats
9. FedExForum, Memphis Grizzlies
8. Pepsi Center, Denver Nuggets
7. American Airlines Center, Dallas Mavericks
6. The Amway Center, Orlando Magic
5. American Airlines Arena, Miami Heat
4. United Center, Chicago Bulls
3. Conseco Fieldhouse, Indiana Pacers
2. Staples Center, Los Angeles Lakers/Clippers
1. Madison Square Garden, New York Knicks

[LosAngelesSportsFan]

i really dont understand the rankings above. why on earth is MSG #1? the basketball mecca nonsense needs to stop.

LA, Chicago, and Boston are basketball meccas, NYC...not so much. Most NBA championships? Boston and LA. Most NCAA championships? LA. City with the most players in the NBA? LA every year, by a huge margin and Chicago second. MSG basketball championships? 2 in 65 years. Staples Center? 5 in 12. United Center? 6 in 20. there is zero reason why MSG should be #1.

[LosAngelesSportsFan]

Originally Posted by nomarandlee

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1...a-arena/page/2

Power Ranking Every NBA Arena

29. Power Balance Pavillion (Arco Arena), Sacramento Kings
28. Bradley Center, Milwaukee Bucks
27. Oracle Arena, Golden State Warriors
26. The Palace of Auburn Hills, Detroit Pistons
25. Prudential Center, New Jersey Nets
24. New Orleans Arena, New Orleans Hornets
23. Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland Cavaliers
22. Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia 76ers
21. Verizon Center, Washington Wizards
20. Chesapeake Energy Arena, Oklahoma City Thunder
19. US Airways Center, Phoenix Suns
18. TD Garden, Boston Celtics
17. Philips Arena, Atlanta Hawks
16. Toyota Center, Houston Rockets
15. EnergySolutions Arena, Utah Jazz
14. Air Canada Centre, Toronto Raptors
13. Target Center, Minnesota Timberwolves
12. Rose Garden, Portland Trail Blazers
11. AT&T Center, San Antonio Spurs
10. Time Warner Cable Arena, Charlotte Bobcats
9. FedExForum, Memphis Grizzlies
8. Pepsi Center, Denver Nuggets
7. American Airlines Center, Dallas Mavericks
6. The Amway Center, Orlando Magic
5. American Airlines Arena, Miami Heat
4. United Center, Chicago Bulls
3. Conseco Fieldhouse, Indiana Pacers
2. Staples Center, Los Angeles Lakers/Clippers
1. Madison Square Garden, New York Knicks

i would love to watch games in the bolded arenas. Sadly, ive only seen games at Staples and at TD Garden.

[RMB2007]

TD Garden

[WesTexas]

Originally Posted by nomarandlee

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1...a-arena/page/2

Power Ranking Every NBA Arena

29. Power Balance Pavillion (Arco Arena), Sacramento Kings
28. Bradley Center, Milwaukee Bucks
27. Oracle Arena, Golden State Warriors
26. The Palace of Auburn Hills, Detroit Pistons
25. Prudential Center, New Jersey Nets
24. New Orleans Arena, New Orleans Hornets
23. Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland Cavaliers
22. Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia 76ers
21. Verizon Center, Washington Wizards
20. Chesapeake Energy Arena, Oklahoma City Thunder
19. US Airways Center, Phoenix Suns
18. TD Garden, Boston Celtics
17. Philips Arena, Atlanta Hawks
16. Toyota Center, Houston Rockets
15. EnergySolutions Arena, Utah Jazz
14. Air Canada Centre, Toronto Raptors
13. Target Center, Minnesota Timberwolves
12. Rose Garden, Portland Trail Blazers
11. AT&T Center, San Antonio Spurs
10. Time Warner Cable Arena, Charlotte Bobcats
9. FedExForum, Memphis Grizzlies
8. Pepsi Center, Denver Nuggets
7. American Airlines Center, Dallas Mavericks
6. The Amway Center, Orlando Magic
5. American Airlines Arena, Miami Heat
4. United Center, Chicago Bulls
3. Conseco Fieldhouse, Indiana Pacers
2. Staples Center, Los Angeles Lakers/Clippers
1. Madison Square Garden, New York Knicks

How is American Airlines Arena and Amway considered better than American Airlines Center?

In my opinion, the AAC is the most unique arena in the NBA.

[WesTexas]

Originally Posted by RMB2007

TD Garden

I would like to sit and meet the group that decided to make the seats the colors of the hockey team over the basketball team.

[nomarandlee]

The old Boston Garden had those color seats which is why they were chosen.

I'm sure inside its fine but the TD Garden outside looks more then a bit banal. Perhaps the worst? outside exterior in the NBA I'm thinking.