When it comes to scenery and atmosphere, NBA arenas don't quite possess the variety that Major League ballparks or NFL stadiums do. Some arenas have seen better days. Some arenas just need a winning product on the court to create buzz and popularity. Here are the three worst arenas in the NBA according to our staff here at From This Seat.
3. Oracle Arena, Golden State Warriors
Being located right next door to the unsightly Oakland Coliseum, just how great did you expect Oracle Arena to be? If your team plays in the oldest arena in the NBA, you shouldn’t expect a state of the art experience. The area of Oakland that Oracle Arena is located in isn't the best or the safest either. There are also no bars or restaurants immediately outside of the venue. It does, however, have a BART stop which gives fans from all over the Bay Area easy access to it. However, given the crime wave that has infected both San Francisco and Oakland, we would recommend that most fans take an Uber or drive to Oracle Arena.
While the exterior of Oracle Arena gives the impression that the arena is first class, it's very bland and worn. Not since 1997 has Oracle Arena received any type of renovation or improvements. The Warriors will be relocating to nearby San Francisco beginning in 2018 for a brand new arena on the water. Make no mistake about it, though. The team that plays here is very competitive and Golden State Warriors fans are excellent.
2. Sleep Train Arena, Sacramento Kings
If it were up to me, all NBA arenas would be located in each city's central business district. If no land is available, your city should either renovate or wait until land is available. Formerly Arco Arena, Sleep Train Arena is located outside of Sacramento in the isolated suburb of Natomas, California. How can a venue expect to see large attendances when fans have to trek to the northern part of the county for games? Let's refer to the old Richfield Coliseum, former home of the Cleveland Cavaliers, which stood forty minutes from downtown Cleveland. Not only was the attendance poor but the Cavaliers had little success during those years. As of 2012, Sleep Train Arena is the smallest arena in the NBA and is near the bottom of the league in overall attendance. Recent talks of implementing a sales tax to construct a new venue have failed over and over and Mayor Kevin Johnson continues to fight for the cause. There isn't much of a neighborhood around Sleep Train Arena; no bars, restaurants or hotels for basketball fans. There is no light rail servicing this area of the city, either. It's a concrete jungle. All we know is, the Maloof family better get their act together because the city of Seattle wants their Supersonics back.
1. BMO Harris Bradley Center, Milwaukee Bucks
On the outside, the Bradley Center looks no different than any other NBA arena. But it's what is on the inside that counts. Unlike most NBA arenas where you enter the building and walk down to your seats, here, you walk up. Not good at all for the fan experience. How about the decor and ambiance of the concourse and lobby areas? Plain, gray, dull; the Bradley Center resembles the interior of a prison. Did I mention small? Ironically, there won't be many fans in your way for you to notice how small the concourses are. Additionally, the city of Milwaukee has made it clear that they have no intentions of updating or rebuilding the Milwaukee Bucks a new arena. In the meantime, success for this small market franchise looks dim.
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