Attending the Kings and Warriors games observations

[celticsclay]

I had a really interesting experience attending the warriors and kings games the last two nights. While I realize the Celtics game was a blowout and took the warriors out of the crowd to an extent, the energy level between the crowds the two nights was pretty incredible. The Kings fans were very loud and engaged in the game throughout. The Warriors game it seemed like more of people at an event than actually caring if the Warriors won (there are obviously a lot of serious fans at both games). However, the Kings games even the ushers were struggling to not follow the game and yell at the court/refs.

The in experience arena is also incredible at the Kings arena. Really great food and entertainment options thoughout the arena. They have every kind of food you can think of available, in a high quality forum. My brother was remarking how it would be a fun place to be even if there was not a game happening. The stadium is also located in a pretty cool part of the city with a really nice large bar/bowling area next to it. They have done a good job with that stadium (there is no food or drink within walking distance of oracle arena). Next year the Warriors will obviously be in a different location and will definitely have a lot more bells and whistles, but I wonder if the further pricing out of the average fan will lead to even less sports fans being in the building and just a lot of wealthy people.

It was about 20 bucks to get into the stadium for the Kings game last night. The warriors it was about 100 for the cheapest ticket. In the next year, I would not be surprised if it was tough to get into the warriors gave for less than 200 for a nosebleed. Anyways, just thought I would share that all in case anyone was curious about ever attending a game in California.

[RJ87]

Not surprising the Kings fans were more engaged. They've been clamoring for a good team for so long, looks like they're on the cusp of getting one.

[rondofan1255]

sounds fun like the GSW teams lead by Baron Davis

[celticsclay]

sounds fun like the GSW teams lead by Baron Davis

Yea I used to go the games back then and they were incredible. The we believe year was wild.

[csfansince60s]

TP to the OP for sharing his experiences and insight!

Any chance you heading down to Staples Center for a twin bill?

Would love to hear about the differences in the fans and the people working between the Fakers and Clips.

Found this which I thought was interesting:

The Clippers and Lakers play home games in the same arena, but use different courts, seating configurations, scorers tables and even basketball hoops, all of which will be switched out Sunday when the two teams play back-to-back at Staples Center.
When the final buzzer sounds at the end of Sunday's mid-day Clippers-Knicks game, the Staples Center Changeover Crew will start preparing the arena for the Lakers-Pacers game, scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
The Changeover Crew has performed about 135 double-header switches since Staples Center opened in October 1999. Sixty of those have been basketball-to-basketball conversions, others were hockey-to-basketball conversions -- the fastest of which was accomplished in 1 hour, 50 minutes.
Swapping out a 200-by-85-foot hockey rink for a 120-by-60-foot basketball court is usually done in about 2 hours and 15 minutes.
The Clippers-to-Lakers swap takes about 90 minutes and involves more than just the playing surface. The Lakers and Clippers have their own scorers tables and basketball hoops.

[BringToughnessBack]

When I lived in Sonoma County, I also attended some Celtics games in Sacramento and when down in LA area, both Lakers and Clippers as well.

For Sacramento, I agree and was very surprised how nice the arena was. What really stood out to me were the friendliness of the fans there. They knew I was Celtics fan but were very friendly and gracious even in defeat. Most friendly fans I ever came across in basketball.

Lakers was an experience in a lot of heads down at their phones and Clippers seems a bit more friendly compared to Lakers fans.

[Androslav]

TP. How does the new King arena looks like in general, any high tech stuff?

[GreenEnvy]

Reminds me of going to Knicks and (Brooklyn) Nets games.

When you are in MSG, you know they have die-hards in every section, from court side to the nosebleeds.

The Nets builts a great arena in Brooklyn, but the fans are non-existent. When Prok made the trade and tried to build a contender, they jacked up the already high priced tickets to bring in the corporate STH’s. And it showed. I’ve sat all over that arena and even when the Nets had firepower, nobody really cared.


A very high percentage of Warriors fans are obviously bandwagoners, but once they move to SF, they will price out even more fans from Oakland and in will come the corporate and transplants just because they are a good team.

[Celtics4ever]

Every teams seeks to measure themselves against us, and many fans hate us. 

I 've always thought the most heartless fans are in LA, in California.   Who leave at the slightest setback, late in the game, just like MIA fans.  Sure the are diehards but they are minority.

[PhoSita]

Man I got to get myself to a Kings game.

[celticsclay]

TP. How does the new King arena looks like in general, any high tech stuff?

Yea, I mean everything is just top of the line. They have like a mini bodega that sells 10-12 kinds of entire bottles of wine (my brother's wife who did not attend, found this very appealing if she were to go with her friends). They have every kind of food you can really imagine, Greek, Wood-grilled pizza, sausage station, barbecue, chinese, sushi, fried chicken and waffles (there basically wasn't anything i could think of they didn't have). The sight lines from every seat are really good, even the top of the station. They also have two separate bar areas, one of them a brew pub from sierra nevada from which you have a pretty nice view of the floor. The scoreboard has very high quality and giant screen of the action (reminded me of jerry world). They also had a dj come out at half (aoki) and the sound and lighting for that were really top notch including fire shooting out from the tops of the hoops.

[celticsclay]

TP to the OP for sharing his experiences and insight!

Any chance you heading down to Staples Center for a twin bill?

Would love to hear about the differences in the fans and the people working between the Fakers and Clips.

Found this which I thought was interesting:

The Clippers and Lakers play home games in the same arena, but use different courts, seating configurations, scorers tables and even basketball hoops, all of which will be switched out Sunday when the two teams play back-to-back at Staples Center.
When the final buzzer sounds at the end of Sunday's mid-day Clippers-Knicks game, the Staples Center Changeover Crew will start preparing the arena for the Lakers-Pacers game, scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
The Changeover Crew has performed about 135 double-header switches since Staples Center opened in October 1999. Sixty of those have been basketball-to-basketball conversions, others were hockey-to-basketball conversions -- the fastest of which was accomplished in 1 hour, 50 minutes.
Swapping out a 200-by-85-foot hockey rink for a 120-by-60-foot basketball court is usually done in about 2 hours and 15 minutes.
The Clippers-to-Lakers swap takes about 90 minutes and involves more than just the playing surface. The Lakers and Clippers have their own scorers tables and basketball hoops.

I would love to do this, perhaps next year. unfortunately schedule won't allow it this year.

[gpap]

That's cool to know.

I've yet to see a Celtics game on the road. Would be nice to experience that.

[j804]

I am just getting into my hotel after the game and a late night meal. Wow what an experience that was awesome. It was really cool to see everything up close I had great seats. Brad giving Smart some tough love yanking him a few possessions, Kyrie encouraging and bringing him back up. Smarts defense is just amazing to see in person he is a [dang] hawk his defensive IQ and instincts are amazing. As I was saying earlier Mike Zarren was just chilling in normal seats like 2 rows beside me. I wanted to hit him up to take a picture but he was chatting it up with a couple dudes, I didn’t want to intrude. Headband Tatum was clutch he looks even smoother in person. The players are massive and freak athletes but the game is a lot slower than it looks on TV.

During halftime me and a couple Celts fans were chatting it up grabbing some brews and all of a sudden we see Cedric Maxwel just walking right by us back down to the floor, we hit him up for a pic and he obliged was cool as hell. He said the Celtics are back and he was sensing something special heading into the playoffs. Kyrie who I was prob closest to was hilarious on the bench, really engaged and just acting a fool with Yabu and Timelord dancing and cheering his butt off. It sucks Kyrie didn’t play but all in all the experience was awesome and something I’ll never forget.

^^Repost from game thread I was there as well. It was amazing I was literally like 10 rows from the Celtics bench. My only regret is not stepping down a few rows to take some up close pictures. Ill be there next year we gotta meet up at halftime or something my fellow CBers.

[j804]

TP. How does the new King arena looks like in general, any high tech stuff?

Yea, I mean everything is just top of the line. They have like a mini bodega that sells 10-12 kinds of entire bottles of wine (my brother's wife who did not attend, found this very appealing if she were to go with her friends). They have every kind of food you can really imagine, Greek, Wood-grilled pizza, sausage station, barbecue, chinese, sushi, fried chicken and waffles (there basically wasn't anything i could think of they didn't have). The sight lines from every seat are really good, even the top of the station. They also have two separate bar areas, one of them a brew pub from sierra nevada from which you have a pretty nice view of the floor. The scoreboard has very high quality and giant screen of the action (reminded me of jerry world). They also had a dj come out at half (aoki) and the sound and lighting for that were really top notch including fire shooting out from the tops of the hoops.

Agreed, when you walk in the lighting high def screens dj/music and court are just like wowww. Beer food and restrooms were easy to access. I got into the arena within 10 15min. It’s loud as hell too the fans were great when the ref called the violation on Jaylens free throw and everybody got a burger or whatever place was rocking. Celts fan in my area was hilarious every time Jayson messed up on something he was like “HE’S ONLY 21!!!!!!!” Lol