Power Rankings: NBA Arenas

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December 25, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; General view of game action as the Los Angeles Lakers play against Los Angeles Clippers during the first half of an NBA basketball game on Christmas at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

#5 – Staples Center – Los Angeles Clippers/Lakers

The Name: The name Staples Center sounds grandiose and important, but that has less to do with the power of the name and more to do with the grandiosity of the teams. Context provides the power. Otherwise, this is a pedestrian name for a stadium; it ends up slightly above average because of alliteration. 6/10

The Aesthetics: These are great for Lakers fans, who have one of the best looking courts in the NBA (gotta love the stars at center court representing the championships) and a series of classic banners hanging from the ceiling. For Clippers fans, this is contrasted with a disgusting, over-black court and those same Lakers banners. The theater lighting gives the game a sense of high drama.

The Experience: The Staples Center is one of the busiest arenas in sports, housing the Lakers, Clippers and the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings. It makes sense that they know what they’re doing, as the seats are always comfortable, the food is decently priced and at least one of the teams is generally relevant.

Overview: This is the best casual game experience, mostly because you are doing something wrong if you are a Lakers or Clippers fan living outside of Southern California.

Next: #4

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