Open Thread: Verizon Center/USAir Arena Memories

by Jake Whitacre on Sep 15, 2008 1:30 PM EDT in Silly Stuff

If you're a connoisseur of the NBA blogosphere, then you know that today is NBA Stadiums Blog Day, where bloggers share their favorite memories from their favorite NBA venues.

As someone who's only attended one NBA game in person, I've only got one memory and I've already shared that with you. So rather than regale with some memory of something that didn't happen, I figured this would a good time to open up to you for your favorite memories from the Verizon Center or USAir Arena. Also, if you have any good memories from other arenas that you've visited, feel free to post them as well.

But before you start digging into your memory bank, definitely check out Hoops Avenue's favorite moments from the phone booth.

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That picture describes it

…The sense of unity in the phone booth during the playoffs. It was like one of those bright-white snow days that look so beautiful. Another great part about the white-out was during just about every time out, the big HD screen focused on Cavs fans, who either had to put on the white T or hear the loudest boos I’ve ever heard in an arena.

Dear Diary, JACKPOT!!!!!!!!!!

by Evander holyfield on Sep 15, 2008 3:19 PM EDT reply actions

I'm with you on this -

game 3 of this year’s playoffs was as close to perfection as I have ever experienced at an NBA game. I was so happy I couldn’t sleep all night. From Eddie Jordan’s niece singing the national anthem, the crowd all dressed in white and very loud, us killing the cavs and playing with swagger, soulja boy’s appearance, it was great to be there. Even though we lost again to the Cavs, I’ll always have game three.

by ooba on Sep 15, 2008 4:22 PM EDT up reply actions

It was a heartbreaker, but.....

Game 6 of the 2006 playoffs was a crazy game. The place went ape when Gil hit that 30 footer to tie it up w. 0:02 in regulation. Plus, that was Caron’s breakout game – he had like 20 boards. I just knew we were going win going into OT. Damn Damon Jones. Not a high moment in Wiz history, but a game I’ll never forget.

by AndNone on Sep 15, 2008 3:24 PM EDT reply actions

Yep...I was at that one...

I remember being so shocked afterward that I wasn’t sure what to do…oh yea, drink.

Representing DC with Wizards & Stuff - Truth About It Dot Net

by Kyle Weidie on Sep 15, 2008 7:03 PM EDT up reply actions

I was inspired.....

….To put together an old-school memory of an epic Bernard King-Michael Jordan matchup.
http://www.truthaboutit.net/2008/09/washington-bullets-live-game-memories.html

Representing DC with Wizards & Stuff - Truth About It Dot Net

by Kyle Weidie on Sep 15, 2008 5:31 PM EDT reply actions

Capital Center

1995 – Capital Center. Sitting 8 rows up, next to the players entrance to the court……. and looking Muresan dead in the eye as he left the court after the game. NOTHING can prepare you for the shear size of these players; especially big Gheorghe.

by Rook6980 on Sep 15, 2008 9:40 PM EDT reply actions

god this is hard

I think i’ve been to too many games to pick one. I remember Shaq killin us w/ Orlando back in the 90’s at USAir only to hear from my uncle a day later he was out at a club in DC the night before HAMMERED drunk..ha ha

As already mentioned the BK/MJ game at the Cap Centre in 90 that i mentioned in my BK profile.

I really cant pick between all the gilbert moments in the last few years at Verzion since i’ve had my tickets. the only game I missed two years ago was the buzzer beater vs milwaukee and the guys who i sit w/ gave me crap for that, so I was happy when a few weeks later he beat Utah at the buzzer which I was actually there for.

section 433 seat 17

by jackpitt on Sep 16, 2008 11:40 AM EDT reply actions

the first playoff games

versus Chicago the first year back in the playoffs were Electric. It was something new in DC and people really were goin nuts. I dont think I have heard the phone booth louder.

section 433 seat 17

by jackpitt on Sep 16, 2008 11:42 AM EDT up reply actions

Looks like we've been attending the same games...

The King-Jordan game was my first and foremost memory (I was at one of BK’s 50 point games that year too….can’t remember if it was Utah or Denver)…but neither was like 44 against MJ.

Memory #2 was that one playoff game in the Webber era…probably the first time I witnessed (out of all the times I saw MJ in DC) the home crowd actually behind the home team, instead of the Bulls (aside from those up in the rafters of course).

Representing DC with Wizards & Stuff - Truth About It Dot Net

by Kyle Weidie on Sep 16, 2008 12:35 PM EDT up reply actions

I was going to say the 1997 playoff game too

I remember being at that game in person, and there was a buzz in the room just because it was the Chicago Bulls and we were playing them so well. I remember when Pippen dunked that ball on Harvey Grant in the final minutes, the place just got really quiet. I was so sure we were going to win that game.

You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.

by Mike Prada on Sep 16, 2008 1:44 PM EDT up reply actions

King's 50 point game

Bernard King’s 50 point game was against Denver (I was there too). It was the year of the failed Paul Westhead experiment for the Nuggets so they gave up lots of points to everyone.

by hotplate on Sep 16, 2008 2:49 PM EDT up reply actions

He dropped 50 on both teams

I just couldn’t remember which one I went to.

Representing DC with Wizards & Stuff - Truth About It Dot Net

by Kyle Weidie on Sep 16, 2008 5:21 PM EDT up reply actions

Cap Center memories

Probably the best game I ever saw at Cap Center was this one against the Celtics in 1987. Jake posted it a few months ago.
Of course we lost on a last second 3.
The ‘97 playoff game against the Bulls was great, but there was also a late regular season game in which we actually beat Jordan and the Bulls for the first time in years that was even better. Check out Georghe’s line!

by hotplate on Sep 16, 2008 3:06 PM EDT reply actions

Anyone remember this game? It was pretty random

My very first Wiz game I went to was back in the MJ/Kwame era. We were getting creamed by the Kings (I think), but we had a super exciting comeback led by the most unlikely heroes. I was sitting in the very top row, but crept down to the glass right before Kwame dunked it from the FREE THROW line, and I seriously almost fell over the ledge I was jumping so hard. I was so sure Kwame would break out after that game/dunk, but we all know how that turned out. We ended up losing the game anyway.

Dear Diary, JACKPOT!!!!!!!!!!

by Evander holyfield on Sep 16, 2008 11:13 PM EDT reply actions

Kwame?

What time did you wake up that morning?

Representing DC with Wizards & Stuff - Truth About It Dot Net

by Kyle Weidie on Sep 17, 2008 9:05 AM EDT up reply actions

Noon the next day

Kwame from the free throw line was means for celebration

Dear Diary, JACKPOT!!!!!!!!!!

by Evander holyfield on Sep 19, 2008 3:26 PM EDT up reply actions

I also remember a Bullets-Lakers game in 1995 that I attended

The Lakers were actually pretty decent that year, but this was one of the rare times that Webber and Howard were playing in the same game. We were blowing them out, the crowd was wild, and at the end of the game, Webber and Howard were on a breakaway and Howard threw the ball off the backboard for Webber to slam. The crowd went nuts, probably because the play represented the potential of the team.

You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.

by Mike Prada on Sep 17, 2008 11:30 AM EDT reply actions

Jared Jeffries' dunk

And cue wild celebration, high fiving and hugging people I don’t know in the opposite corner. Utter hysteria, a feeling that I swear will beat the high of any drug anyone’s ever taken.

"Would you like to shoot me now or wait till you get home." --- Daffy Duck

by George Templeton on Sep 17, 2008 12:57 PM EDT reply actions