Oracle Arena experience

[Mike0476]

I made the drive to Oakland and met up with my brother to attend the Kings at Warriors game. Before the game we stopped at the In-N-Out Burger, which is located one exit away from Oracle Arena.

There were other places to get dinner before the game and the parking lot was packed. Inside the In-N-Out there were so many customers and most of them had on their Warriors jerseys, sweaters, shirts, hats, etc.

I don't know how long that area of dining options has been around, but it was packed and it's thanks to their arena. Granted it is a bit of a walk much like how it is for ARCO Arena, but I can only imagine what it's like when there is no event compared to when there is an event.

The naysayers will just spill their spew about how Taco Bell, Jack in the Box, etc. are not real jobs and does not help the local economy. They're idiots if you ask me. Oakland got my money tonight and not Sacramento, but that's besides the point.

I have not been to Oracle Arena since around 2002 and it's a nice arena, but their concourse is small (much like ARCO Arena's) and I have to say I like how ARCO Arena has their seats so closer to the floor (the intimate feeling).

Below is a picture of the view I had from my seat. There were quite a few Kings fans too and they all said hello, talked about our Kings and we were complete strangers. It's amazing how a team can bring people together.

 

[PurpleHaze]

Regarding giving your money to Oakland instead of Sac. For years prior to 1985 Kings arrival I would drive with friends to Oakland from Sac to watch the W's play on occasion. Since there was no NBA basketball or pro sports in Sac I also attended many A's and Giants games plus a few Niners, Raiders and Sharks as well. If Kings leave Sac I doubt I'll replace them with any degree of Golden State worship this time. It would be about hidden face shame of losing only local pro franchise and sad disgust over entire arena debacle.

 

[Trueblood]

Mike is right about the lack of concourse space at Oracle. I've been there around 20 times as well as to every arena in the league at least once and Oracle has about as cramped a concourse as you'll find in the NBA. The problem is that they renovated the old Oakland Coliseum Arena by demolishing and gutting the entire interior and then tried to jam Phoenix's US Airways Center into the shell of the old building. It just fit but the problem is that it was such a close fit that there was little to no room left for concourse space and given that they draw pretty well, it makes it tough to walk around during halftime. You're best off the just going to the restroom or going to the concession stand while the game is happening.

What I'm hearing is that the Giants want to build an arena for the W's right next to AT&T Park and use those 2 buildings as a center piece for an entire village with condos, hotels and retail outlets. With EIR's and what not, they won't be able to start construction until the summer of 2013 but it's their goal and the Warriors hope it happens.

 

[Circa_1985_Fan]

regarding giving your money to oakland instead of sac. For years prior to 1985 kings arrival i would drive with friends to oakland from sac to watch the w's play on occasion. Since there was no nba basketball or pro sports in sac i also attended many a's and giants games plus a few niners, raiders and sharks as well. If kings leave sac i doubt i'll replace them with any degree of golden state worship this time. It would be about hidden face shame of losing only local pro franchise and sad disgust over entire arena debacle.

this!!^^^

 

[kennadog]

Actually since I've moved to Yuba City for the time being, I usually end up spending some a ount of money on food near Arco. If the game's on a weekend, I make a day of it. Drive in have coffe somewhere, do some shopping, eat and go to the arena. So Arco is actually bringing in money from another county to the city/county coffers. Since a lot of Kings fans live outside Sacramento County, that's likely money that would not be spent in Sacramento without the Kings games and other events that come to Arco.

Arco is actually the biggest indoor venue for a huge area.