Posted on 07. Jan, 2010 by in All, Atlanta, NCAA Basketball.

 
First trip to Phillips Arena

Despite my love for the game of basketball I cannot seem to force myself to enjoy the National Basketball Association (NBA).  The style is not what I am use to, with no full court presses, half court traps, or changing defenses by possession to show a 2-3 zone or 1-3-1 point drop zone defense.  And can someone please explain to me what you have to do to get a traveling called in the NBA?

Phillips Arena

Phillips Arena

Last night with my friends Mark (he wants me to note he is awesome!) and Melanie I headed down to Phillips Arena in downtown Atlanta, Georgia to watch the Atlanta Hawks take on the New Jersey Nets. Don’t get me wrong, I was very excited to be attending a sporting event in a new venue for me and check out everything it had to offer.  But once in my seat, I had a hard time appreciating the game.  Where NCAA College Basketball seems so filled with excitement, the NBA lacks the intensity and drive to succeed that I like to have.  The interest level from everyone involved just never seems the same.  I have seen more passion out of players and fans when Northwestern State takes on California State Bakersfield on a Tuesday night in the middle of rainstorm.

The New Jersey Nets came into the game with the worst record in the NBA at 3-31, and 1-16 on the road.  One the flip side, the Hawks were in second place in their division and sported a 12-4 record at home.  This contest got out of hand early, as it took the Nets around seven minutes to score their first field goal of the game, and the Hawks were hitting on all cylinders.  At halftime, the Hawks led the game 61-45 and never looked back on their way to a 119-89 victory.

Hot shooting was the difference in this game as the Hawks shot 57.3% from the floor and 59.1% from three point, nailing 13 of 22 cimg3740attempts.  They were led in scoring by Jamal Crawford who had 29 off the bench.

I felt my first trip to Phillips Arena went well.  I did like the building and what it had to offer.  It seemed like what I consider a “typical” arena, but was comfortable and offered what I needed.  On the main concourse level there were tons of different food options, and the gift shop was stocked and quite large.  I sat in a few different seats during the game in the various levels and they all seemed to be nice.  The Atlanta Thrashers of the National Hockey League (NHL) also share Phillips Arena as their home.  I am not sure if I will make it back for one of their games, but would welcome the opportunity.

As usual, I took many pictures of the arena and my experience. I have narrowed it down to share some with you below.

Plenty of Seats Available

Plenty of Seats Available

Picture from Second Deck

Picture from Second Deck

View from my seat...1st Row in second deck...liked it a lot..Thanks Stubhub!

View from my seat...1st Row in second deck...liked it a lot..Thanks Stubhub!

Scoreboard...surprised it is not newer

Scoreboard...surprised it is not newer

Endboards gave individual stats.  Also Hawks banners hang above

Endboards gave individual stats. Also Hawks banners hang above

Seperate board to show College and other NBA scores

Seperate board to show College and other NBA scores

Didn't see any celebs sitting courtside like you would find in LA

Didn't see any celebs sitting courtside like you would find in LA

Can still see the Hockey walls where the Thrashers also play

Can still see the Hockey walls where the Thrashers also play

One side of the arena has lots of boxes and suites...others are around the top of the lower bowl

One side of the arena has lots of boxes and suites...others are around the top of the lower bowl

Each Hawks player has their own elevator picture around the arena..pretty cool

Each Hawks player has their own elevator picture around the arena..pretty cool

A very big fan of the sideways shot clocks on the basket support. As you can see, I had no chance of seeing the regular one from my angle.

A very big fan of the sideways shot clocks on the basket support. As you can see, I had no chance of seeing the regular one from my angle.

Private Club/Lounge at Phillips Arena. I always seem to find a way to sneak into these.

Private Club/Lounge at Phillips Arena. I always seem to find a way to sneak into these.

The main concourse.  Filled with food, and cool signage.

The main concourse. Filled with food, and cool signage.

Pretty cool, and odd, to see live fire in an indoor arena

Pretty cool, and odd, to see live fire in an indoor arena

For a promotion, these parachutes with bears attached to them were dropped from the catwalk.  Always amazed how excited fans get for free things to be thrown in the stands. Much louder then they cheer during the game.

For a promotion, these parachutes with bears attached to them were dropped from the catwalk. Always amazed how excited fans get for free things to be thrown in the stands. Much louder then they cheer during the game.

The A-Town Dancers...small group...seen better, but nice job...

The A-Town Dancers...small group...seen better, but nice job...

I wish all basketball refs would wear the traditional black and white strip shirts.  Enough trying to be stylish with the different color adidas tops.

I wish all basketball refs would wear the traditional black and white strip shirts. Enough trying to be stylish with the different color adidas tops.

Former University of Cincinnati Bearcats assistant coach John Loyer now on the bench with the New Jersey Nets

Former University of Cincinnati Bearcats assistant coach John Loyer now on the bench with the New Jersey Nets

Seems like just yesterday Freshman Mike Bibby and Miles Simon were leading the Arizona Wildcats to a National Championship over the Kentucky Wildcats...Ok, not really, dude is old...

Seems like just yesterday Freshman Mike Bibby and Miles Simon were leading the Arizona Wildcats to a National Championship over the Kentucky Wildcats...Ok, not really, dude is old...

Not really sure what the deal is, but all the Hawks, and some of the Nets, wore these "NBA Fit" T-Shirts as warmups during the game.

Not really sure what the deal is, but all the Hawks, and some of the Nets, wore these "NBA Fit" T-Shirts as warmups during the game.

"You Can Call Me Al..."  Former Florida Gator and current Atlanta Hawk Al Horford...Not sure why, just like the guy...

"You Can Call Me Al..." Former Florida Gator and current Atlanta Hawk Al Horford...Not sure why, just like the guy...

One of the few things the NBA does better than the college game, the jump ball. None of this alternating possession arrow, throw the ball in the air!

One of the few things the NBA does better than the college game, the jump ball. None of this alternating possession arrow, throw the ball in the air!

Atlanta Hawks mascot jumping on a trampoline, over the Zooperstar like Hawk blowup and dunking the ball into the net...He missed....twice...

Atlanta Hawks mascot jumping on a trampoline, doing a flip, over the Zooperstar like Hawk blowup and dunking the ball into the net...He missed....twice...

2 Responses to “First trip to Phillips Arena”

 
  1. bg says:

    A quick excerpt from a series of short writing assignments for school, quite relevant I suppose…

    In my opinion NCAA College sports are particularly more compelling than the professional versions. In particular I prefer NCAA College basketball over the NBA.
    Here are a few reasons why:
    10. College athletes play for the love of the sport. While I don’t see a problem with professional athletes playing for money, I find it pretty cool that college athletes play for the love of the game.

    9. Story lines – College players are still improving their game, progressing and growing as players and people.

    8. School Pride, enough said!

    7. Student tickets and tickets in general. Accessibility etc., let’s be honest, NBA games are/were expensive!!!

    6. They are just too dang good! Often in the NBA it just looks too easy. Thank you no defensive pressure and 100+ scoring contests.

    5. No current NBA team in Cincinnati. Send your thank you letters to the Jacobs Brothers and KC.

    4. The Field of 64 (65)

    3. Elite 8

    2. Final 4

    1. March Madness

  2. Corey says:

    Good work BG…Love the comments…I feel like it should be a David Letterman Top 10 List or something…It really is funny how the college game of basketball is SO MUCH better than the pros…Could be the only sport like this, but some can argue football I guess. Thanks again for reading the site and look forward to hearing more comments from you soon.

    Corey


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