Fansided

Power Rankings: NBA Arenas

By Luke Dahlgren

Apr 9, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; General overall view of the Staples Center during a NBA basketball game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Los Angeles Lakers. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 9, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; General overall view of the Staples Center during a NBA basketball game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Los Angeles Lakers. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
23 of 30
Next
Oct 28, 2015; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons forward Ersan Ilyasova (23) before the game against the Utah Jazz at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 28, 2015; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons forward Ersan Ilyasova (23) before the game against the Utah Jazz at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /

#8 – The Palace of Auburn Hills – Detroit Pistons

The Name: This is not a mere arena. Nor is it a center. This is a PALACE. It’s a shame that it rhymes with “malice”, because the beauty and grace the Pistons’ stadium invokes runs contrary to the brutality the Pistons are historically known for, more giving off the vibe of a Jane Austen novel. ∞/10

The Aesthetics: The video scoreboard is unobtrusive yet easily viewable, and the court is a clean combination of bright red and cool blue. The brighter lighting, with the banners hanging off of the ceiling, gives the Palace a high school gymnasium sort of feel. Depending on who you ask, this either allows fans to wax nostalgic about their salad days or remember gym class rope climbing.

The Experience: This is a palace that requires the fan to embark on a quest to find it. The Pistons’ home court is a solid 30+ minute drive from downtown Detroit, where Comerica Park (Tigers), Ford Field (Lions) and Joe Louis Arena (Red Wings) reside. The actual arena is energetic and compact, great for rabid fandom but not ideal for casual viewing.

Overview: Getting there is a hassle, but once you do this is one of the premier arenas in the league in many regards.

Next: #7

Home/NBA