What's the fuss with Madison Square Garden?

[Ckane138]

I'm not as critical/cynical as the title might suggest, but what exactly is it that makes people call it "the Mecca of basketball" and put it lightyears ahead of any other basketball arena? Normally I'd ignore any stadium mystique like there is with Yankee Stadium or Lambeau Field, but players admit that it brings out the best of that and there are stats to justify that.

[Sitisfit]

I'm not as critical/cynical as the title might suggest, but what exactly is it that makes people call it "the Mecca of basketball" and put it lightyears ahead of any other basketball arena? Normally I'd ignore any stadium mystique like there is with Yankee Stadium or Lambeau Field, but players admit that it brings out the best of that and there are stats to justify that.

the parquet hurts my eyes

[Matt McGuire]

I think the architecture of it is really cool. New York City really made basketball an urban sport - so you have the history of the city tied to basketball as well.

I mean honestly - name a current NBA stadium with more popularity or history. You can't.

[Theheartweeps]

I think the architecture of it is really cool. New York City really made basketball an urban sport - so you have the history of the city tied to basketball as well.

I mean honestly - name a current NBA stadium with more popularity or history. You can't.

The original Boston Garden....

MSG's popularity has nothing to do with it's basketball history. It's the most famous venue in the world.

[Matt McGuire]

Name a "current" NBA arena...

The old Boston Garden (or the Lakers old Colliseum) aren't current stadiums - so MSG is the most prestigious.

[Theheartweeps]

Name a "current" NBA arena...

The old Boston Garden (or the Lakers old Colliseum) aren't current stadiums - so MSG is the most prestigious.

MSG is the most prestigious venue in the world. Not because of it's NBA history though.

When people talk MSG in the NBA, the reason it is so prestigious is the great moments that have taken place there. Willis Reed in the 1970 NBA finals, Jordan putting up 50 twice, etc.

[Matt McGuire]

Then there is also what John Lennon said about NYC

"If I'd lived in Roman times, I'd have lived in Rome. Where else? Today America is the Roman Empire and New York is Rome itself."

[tbod10]

It's tough to describe to those who haven't been there. Part of it is the way the arena is structured. It's an old school feel to it where there's really not a bad seat in the house and you don't feel that far away from the action.

The other part of it I think is that the player feels like he's on a stage. At most arenas all the lights are on and you can see the crowd, but at MSG, they keep the crowd lights really dim and the brightest lights are set on the court/ice. It allows the players to feel like they're in the spot light as opposed to in one giant arena. It's just a different feel when you walk in there. It helps that it's right in the middle of the heart of NYC.

[EAkadima15]

I think that helps too very much so. I went to NYC a year ago and saw how there is so much going on with so many buildings and activity all over the city, and then you can see MSG and Penn Station standing out. Location undeniably plays a role as well.