In the most recent edition of Hornets Insider, we polled public-relations personnel from around the league to find out more about the NBAs premier arenas. In a tight race, New Yorks Madison Square Garden edged Indianas Conseco Fieldhouse as our panels favorite arena among the leagues 29 venues.
Now its time to check in again with our panel to get their opinions on some of their favorite NBA cities to visit. In one of the best perks of their jobs, team PR employees make multiple trips per regular season to 41 road games all over North America, an opportunity to see the continent in a very unique way.
Before we begin our list of NBA cities, here are the eight PR personnel folks who participated in the survey. Each person submitted a top-10 list of their favorite NBA cities to visit:
Using a points system of 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1, I was able to rank the overall favorite NBA cities of the eight panelists who participated. Well get to the first half of the top 10 shortly, but lets start with a few of the locations that just missed the cut. These cities are listed in order of how many points they received:HONORABLE MENTION
Now we move on to the list of cities that ranked in the top 10 overall. Here are the places that finished in the latter half of the top 10.
COUNTING DOWN THE TOP 10
10. San Antonio
The Riverwalk and an outstanding selection of culinary options particular those of the Mexican variety helped push the Spurs home into the elite.
I always enjoy walking down by the Riverwalk, one of my favorite sites in the country, wrote Gelt, whose Nuggets made additional trips to San Antonio in 2005 and 2007 for first-round playoff series. Whenever we go there, I always get my fix of Mexican food, especially Taco Cabana, my all-time favorite Mexican restaurant.
Its amazing that they could turn a small river into a neat tourist destination, Torontos LaBumbard praised of the Riverwalk area. I also like to go to Old San Antonio for a wonderful Mexican meal. Great food at great prices. Its a city Id love to see move into the Eastern Conference.
I think I eat Mexican for every single meal when I am in San Antonio, Rogers said. I can never get enough.
9. Miami
With its warm weather and reputation for nightlife, its probably surprising to see Miami ranked here. However, half of our eight-member panel did not list Miami in their top 10, dropping it down a few pegs.
A ninth-place finish certainly came as a surprise to Washingtons Hall, who predicted: I have a feeling Miami might end up being the consensus number one choice on this list. The beach, great hotels, weather and food its not hard to figure out why we all love taking whatever talents we might have to Miami during the season.
For NBA teams based in cold-weather cities, many view Miamis warm climate as an oasis during an interminable winter.
The water (of Biscayne Bay) is so blue and the weather is so warm, Denvers Gelt noted. Miami is a very welcome date on the schedule in December, January or February!
Added the Clippers Raichlen, who ranked Miami No. 1 on his list: Our hotel is right on the water, so its always a great view and relaxing environment. Its always nice to visit Miami while were on one of our big 15-day East Coast trips we make during the winter each season.
8. Dallas
The home city of the defending NBA champion Mavericks is one of the most convenient locations in the league for visiting teams, with a wealth of venues where one can eat and drink.
I think it has more restaurants and bars per capita than any other city in the country, wrote Rinehart, who attended college in Big D at SMU.
There are tons of things to do around the area, said Rogers, whose family members were original season-ticket holders for the expansion Mavericks in the early 1980s. I love to go back to my old stomping grounds and eat some good Mexican food.
We stay at a great hotel there and at a great location, noted Raichlen. The hotel is close to the arena, which means quick bus rides. Pretty much right across the street are three of our favorite chain restaurants for a quick bite to eat Pei Wei, Potbelly sandwiches and a pretty decent barbeque place located in a gas station...seriously.
7. Boston
Like Washington, the history of Beantown makes it a memorable road trip, particularly due to the citys older buildings that in some cases date back to the 18th century.
The history of the city makes it a wonderful place to visit, described Torontos LaBumbard, whos there twice every season for Atlantic Division games between the Raptors and Celtics. There are restaurants and bars that have been around since the late 1700s. Graveyards with creepy headstones and famous people buried there are dotted throughout downtown. The fun Bostonian accent and a Dunkin Donuts on every corner are an added plus.
Massachusetts largest city also receives high marks for its food, highlighted by some of what comes out of the nearby Atlantic Ocean.
From a dining standpoint, Boston has some of the best seafood in the country and the North End has some of the best Italian food anywhere as well, wrote Utahs Rinehart.
I always go with our broadcasters to the Barking Crab restaurant to get some fresh lobster, Rogers added. I love how proud Bostonians are of their city. Its a huge city, but it kinda has a smaller feel to it.
6. Portland
Apparently, the home city of the Trail Blazers has a potent secret weapon in its allure to NBA workers a well-stocked Nike store, which is located in nearby Beaverton, Ore.
Anyone in the NBA (player or personnel) will tell you they love coming here for the Nike Employee store, Rogers explained. Just imagine a huge warehouse with all the latest Nike gear, and its all half off, not to mention it is on a gigantic, state-of-the-art, Nike campus. It is greatness.
We usually take a trip to the Nike Employee store, which is a good place to find some discounted gear, agreed Raichlen.
Portlands current status as the lone NBA city based in the Pacific Northwest is also a draw for several members of our panel, despite the often uncooperative weather.
Portland is a beautiful city with a lot of life to it, Utahs Rinehart described. It has a very cool vibe with a lot of locally owned shops and restaurants, not the gluttony of chains that you see in a lot of places.
It has a great downtown, amazing culture and the people just seem to have a different vibe to them, Rogers concurred. Yeah, its dreary and rainy, but the downtown area and everything else about this city makes up for the weather.
Summarized the Wizards Hall: I always love visiting the Pacific Northwest (and still miss going to Seattle). Portland is just such an interesting city in a beautiful setting with a great downtown.
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