Well it's that time again. Just got back from my annual Spurs road game pilgramage. I chose this game mainly because the Spurs had very few remaining enticing matchups, which took place over a weekend. Therefore, I decided to plan a trip to Lob City to catch the boys in action at the Clip Joint.
The facility:
The Staples Center is located in downtown Los Angeles and is adjacent to both the Los Angeles Convention Center and a multi-entertainment complex called L.A. Live. The arena seats close to 20,000. Two-thirds of the arena seating is in the lower bowl, including 2,500 club suites. It has an unprecedented 3 tiers of luxury suites, which is far and away more than any other NBA arena. I'm told that the building of the Staples Center has more than re-energized this area of downtown, which apparently was previously chocked with various delapidated buildings and such.
Outside of the arena, there are 4 statues: Wayne Gretzsky, Magic Johnson, Chick Hearn and the newly-minted Jerry West. A few months ago, the Fakers organization decided to erect one in West's honor, some 37 years after he retired. Strange, but true. The most glaring omission from this pantheon of Faker greats is Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. From some conversations I had with some of the local faithful, I was told that Jabbar has been none too pleased about this oversight and that he has outwardly and consistently campaigned, on behalf of his own statue, on local sports talk radio airwaves. It's unclear why the organization has omitted him to this point, but apparently there are indications inside the Fakers camp, that Jabbar's time will certainly be forthcoming. No specific timetable was given.
The in-game experience and environment:
For those that are unaware, the Fakers and Clippers share the same facility. It goes without saying that the Fakers are a global NBA brand. It is apparent from the number of championship banners and retired jerseys that abound along the corner of the baseline wall of the arena. When scouring the rafters and walls of the arena, there is no trace of any Clippers history at all - mainly because they do not have one. The Clippers miserable and well-earned reputation as a woe-be-gone and poorly-run franchise is evident by the fact that there are no retired jerseys, no division banners and no accomplishments of any kind. If there was a championship for most NBA Draft Lottery appearances, the Clippers would have about as many les and banners as the Celtics.
While the Clippers co-share the facility, there is absolutely no question which team is the dominant franchise in the hearts and minds of both the L.A. market and the NBA. It's almost as though the Clippers are the step-children to the Fakers and they are paying rent in order to live at the home of their parents.
By normal NBA arena standards, the Staples Center is one of the more spacious and luxurious arenas. While I've never been to a Fakers game live, on TV the environment appears to have a theatrical and dramatic feel. Perhaps it's due to the absence of the in-house arena lights. With only spolights on the hardwood, it lends itself to a rather intimate setting. At the Clippers games, however, the opposite is true. The arena staff simply changes out the floor, throws up red and blue banners, turns on the flourescent in-house arena lights are there you are.
As for the game presentation, the Clippers do a great job of putting on the show. It's not overly done or circus-like, as some other venues. Sitting about 13 rows up, near center court, I was at a good vantage point to see the likes of Billy Crystal and Penny Marshall. I even saw NBA superfan, Jim Goldstein. For those that don't know him, he's the multi-millionaire fan, who attends over 100 NBA games a year, traveling from city to city during playoff time. He usually sits courtside, with some tasty blonde du jour and can usually be seen wearing some outlandish outfit. He has long, wild-ass gray hair and is always wearing a hat. On this day, he was wearing a black leather jacket and 80's style leather pants. This guy is a legend in NBA circles and somehow, he even manages to even attend post-game press conferences. He is a dual season-ticket holder for both Fakers and Clippers. Therefore, it's easy to see why he's widely considered the NBA superfan.
The crowd:
After touring the concourse and finally getting settled into my seat at tipoff, I was surprised at the amount of vacant seats in the lower bowl. I figured that a Saturday afternoon game, in the City of Angels, likely wouldn't attract a full house. However, by the end of the first quarter, the place had indeed filled up and the atmosphere became raucous. I guess the infamous L.A. traffic can be partially blamed for the numerous late-arrivals.
As expected, the environment at Clippers games has been abuzz since the arrival of Blake Griffin. That feeling has only intensified since the arrival of Chris Paul. I will admit, at least for this game, the environment was lively, festive, and very playoff-like. The fact that the Clippers are now a bonafide contender and the fact that they boast one of the NBA's most athletic rosters, probably has much to do with that as anything.
The game:
Needless to say, I, and every other Spurs fan watching, were all treated to one whale of a game. It was indeed a game of extreme highs and lows for both teams. The Spurs were most fortunate to have been able to get it to overtime. I will refrain from any type of game review as I couldn't possibly add or enhance anything that hasn't already been mentioned in LJ's always-stellar game summary. I will say this, after Neal fumbled the ball away on that next to last possession, many folks started leaving the arena, assuming the Clippers had won. On that particular play, there was collective horror emitted from the mouths of Clipper faithful when Paul threw the ball directly to Neal, off that failed inbounds play. Then when Neal stepped back and buried that 3-ball, to tie the game, the groans only got louder. That sound was almost as priceless as hearing Neal's shot go through the net. Of course, myself and other Spurs fan in the area howled with both shock and glee.
Speaking of Spurs fans, there were several contingents of Spurs fans milling around the lower bowl and all over other parts of the arena. All were wearing the usual assortment of Spurs jerseys. Many of which crowded around the Spurs bench during timeouts and at the end of quarters, taking photos with the cell phone cameras. I even spotted two guys with Kawai Leonard's "2" jersey. It's always a pleasure to be well-received and get high-fived" by fellow Spurs fans, whenever you're in enemy territory.
I found it interesting that Manu Ginobili elicited the greatest share of boos. Because he not a starter, the Clipper faithful reserved all their venom in booing him passionately and lustily, when he entered the game.
All in all, it was an enjoyable road trip to La-La. Thanks for your indulgence.
Quality write-up
Yeah, it's pretty funny how Kareem whines for his statue. IIRC, the Lakers have told him that he's next but Kareem keeps whining.
I've been to the Staples Center but only for the All-Star game and Lakers games. It would be interesting to see the difference with a Clippers crowd.
Thanks for sharing Senor.
Awesome writeup!
It's always fun to hear about spurs fans going into the enemies camp.
This was very informative and fun to read.
I never thought of how weird it must be for Clipper fan to constantly be looking at Laker banners and jerseys all over the place.
Thanks again!
Thanks for the thoughts man.
Great write up. What a game to see in person and in enemy territory! Would of loved to have been there.
Awesome, cool write up. Were they serving street dogs after the game? Not sure if they do that for afternoon games.
Haven't been to any games this year but the difference is usually night and day. Even last year when everyone hopped onto Blake Griffin's bandwagon the intensity was no where near the Laker crowd. Not only is the audience more lively for the Lakers but the staple center staff does a much better job getting the crowd involved. Clippers are poised to take over but most of LA still belongs to Kobe.
As a matter of fact they were. A couple of vendors were within 1/2 block in either direction of the arena. They looked and smelled very good.
Should have tried one!
Technically they're just onions peppers and a hotdog wrapped in bacon but its hard difficult to recreate lol.
Good stuff, would've loved to be at an away crowd when the Spurs pulled off the heroics
Kareem has earned the right to whine IIRC Kareem was recovering from cancer during the time of those quotes, dude just wants to be recognized in statue form when he still has some years left and he has to rely on god damn Jimbo Buss to get it doneHow the does it take so long for the most successul pro sports organization to buy statues??
Actually, I agree with you. He shouldn't have to beg. For all that Kareem meant to that organization and to the NBA in general, the organization is remiss in not honoring him.Good stuff, would've loved to be at an away crowd when the Spurs pulled off the heroics
Kareem has earned the right to whine IIRC Kareem was recovering from cancer during the time of those quotes, dude just wants to be recognized in statue form when he still has some years left and he has to rely on god damn Jimbo Buss to get it done
I missed your writeup Senor ! very nice
Great write-up man, always funny to see the responses when the enemy loses, or in this case, chokes.
He wouldn't be Kareem if he stopped whining about how great he is. He probably wakes up every morning wondering why so many people unfairly think he's a self-centered asshole.
Great writeup, SS. Thanks.
Gracias Senor, enjoyed the read!
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