NBA game at Oakland
Last week Alan sent out an email asking if anyone is interested to watch GS Warriors vs. Dallas Mavericks. I've get to know that Alan is a fan of American football because during our long trip to Kings Canyon, he tuned-in to ESPN radio to listen to the game. So boring~ So when received his email invitation, I thought these 2 teams were American football teams, which I later found out, they were basketball teams.
Although I don't know those 2 teams or any other team in the NBA (except that I know Yao Ming is in Rockets), and I don't know much about basketball rules, I decided to join in just for the sake of seeing/experiencing something new. Alan bought the ticket online, cost $18 per person.
The game starts at 7.30pm. That day, we left office straight away right after work, 5.30pm. The jam on freeway 880 was terrible, 3 lane all full of very slow moving autos. A half an hour journey became one hour. We stop by Burger King for a fast dinner and proceeded to the Oracle Arena, which is the home ground of GS Warriors. Parking is another $15 to pay :(
Our seat was pitiful, sitting at the very top of the court. Somemore it's in the corner.
What do you expect from a $18 ticket right? Tickets for the first few rows away from the court can fetch up to $150!!
As we were there half and hour before the show starts, what do we do? Take pictures of course. Snap here and there.
There were many food stalls selling different food and drink, including beer, along the corridor inside of the arena but outside the court. There were also souvenir shop selling Golden State (GS) Warriors merchandise such as their mascot, jersey, cap and T-shirt (as this is their home ground).
Warming up session
The introduction to team members of Dallas Mavericks was done in a very simple manner, just pronounce their name. But then when it was time to intro the members of the Warrior, it was very very different. There were special music to it, the TV showed their slamdunk skill and people in the arena cheered loudly. No one cheer when they intro the Mavericks earlier, just some soft clapping. After intro was the national anthem singing by a 13 year old girl.
The game starts at a few mins past 7.30, which is not too bad.
It was a very unfair environment throughout the game, as I've mentioned many times this is the home ground of Warriors. There were tons of Warrior supporters but I'd say no supporter for Mavericks. When the ball was with Warriors, the spectator cheers their heart out and shout loudly when score. If the ball fall onto the Mavericks hand, spectators start boo-ing. And when the ball is on the Maverick's side, spectators would chant "DEFEND, DEFEND, DEFEND..." continuously. The music broadcast would change accordingly, depending on which team is having the ball, and the supporters would chant the appropriate things according to the music.
So what can I see from a corner? Not much skill though, can only see where the ball goes and who scored. Sometimes still need to see the big TV for replay.
The score between the 2 teams was close throughout the game, biggest difference is 5 to 7 points if not mistaken. Every time the difference grew big, the losing team will manage to balance back the score.
During quarter break, there'll be some show by the cheerleaders and freebies give-away. As I sit so far behind, the freebies were never throw near me :(
The best show was during half time. There was this painter who uses pink, white and blue paint with a black background, accompany by music, painted out the face of Santana! Yes, the guitarist, Santana was there watching the game. The face that the painter painted look so similar to Santana. The painter was dancing to the beat while painting.
The game ended at about 11pm. Despite being on home ground with the big bunch of supporter, Warrior lost 5 points to Mavericks, the score 115 vs 120. Overall, I'd say these 2 teams are not really the keng type, ok nia lor...hrmm...I'm sure the game would be much better if I get to sit a little bit to the front. Nevertheless, it was my first experience to an NBA game, and it wasn't a too expensive one.
Although I don't know those 2 teams or any other team in the NBA (except that I know Yao Ming is in Rockets), and I don't know much about basketball rules, I decided to join in just for the sake of seeing/experiencing something new. Alan bought the ticket online, cost $18 per person.
I don't know why the price is shown $25. Maybe because Alan bought a lot of tickets, that's why eligible for discount.
The game starts at 7.30pm. That day, we left office straight away right after work, 5.30pm. The jam on freeway 880 was terrible, 3 lane all full of very slow moving autos. A half an hour journey became one hour. We stop by Burger King for a fast dinner and proceeded to the Oracle Arena, which is the home ground of GS Warriors. Parking is another $15 to pay :(
Venue: The Oracle, Oakland, CA
Notice the large Ipod advertisement on the left hand side, the one with a person dancing
Notice the large Ipod advertisement on the left hand side, the one with a person dancing
Our seat was pitiful, sitting at the very top of the court. Somemore it's in the corner.
What do you expect from a $18 ticket right? Tickets for the first few rows away from the court can fetch up to $150!!
As we were there half and hour before the show starts, what do we do? Take pictures of course. Snap here and there.
There were many food stalls selling different food and drink, including beer, along the corridor inside of the arena but outside the court. There were also souvenir shop selling Golden State (GS) Warriors merchandise such as their mascot, jersey, cap and T-shirt (as this is their home ground).
Warming up session
The introduction to team members of Dallas Mavericks was done in a very simple manner, just pronounce their name. But then when it was time to intro the members of the Warrior, it was very very different. There were special music to it, the TV showed their slamdunk skill and people in the arena cheered loudly. No one cheer when they intro the Mavericks earlier, just some soft clapping. After intro was the national anthem singing by a 13 year old girl.
The game starts at a few mins past 7.30, which is not too bad.
It was a very unfair environment throughout the game, as I've mentioned many times this is the home ground of Warriors. There were tons of Warrior supporters but I'd say no supporter for Mavericks. When the ball was with Warriors, the spectator cheers their heart out and shout loudly when score. If the ball fall onto the Mavericks hand, spectators start boo-ing. And when the ball is on the Maverick's side, spectators would chant "DEFEND, DEFEND, DEFEND..." continuously. The music broadcast would change accordingly, depending on which team is having the ball, and the supporters would chant the appropriate things according to the music.
So what can I see from a corner? Not much skill though, can only see where the ball goes and who scored. Sometimes still need to see the big TV for replay.
The score between the 2 teams was close throughout the game, biggest difference is 5 to 7 points if not mistaken. Every time the difference grew big, the losing team will manage to balance back the score.
During quarter break, there'll be some show by the cheerleaders and freebies give-away. As I sit so far behind, the freebies were never throw near me :(
Entertainers on tricycle giving out free t-shirts
The best show was during half time. There was this painter who uses pink, white and blue paint with a black background, accompany by music, painted out the face of Santana! Yes, the guitarist, Santana was there watching the game. The face that the painter painted look so similar to Santana. The painter was dancing to the beat while painting.
Cheerleader doing their job during timeouts
The game ended at about 11pm. Despite being on home ground with the big bunch of supporter, Warrior lost 5 points to Mavericks, the score 115 vs 120. Overall, I'd say these 2 teams are not really the keng type, ok nia lor...hrmm...I'm sure the game would be much better if I get to sit a little bit to the front. Nevertheless, it was my first experience to an NBA game, and it wasn't a too expensive one.
Final score of the game; 115 vs 120
Labels: Going places, Life in The States
posted by LieWei at 1:21 AM
1 Comments:
shioknya!
By
Anonymous, at Nov 11, 2007, 3:06:00 PM
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