2024-10-24 18:30:04
The state-of-the-art Intuit Dome instantly becomes the standard by which all future arenas will be judged.
INGLEWOOD, Calif. — The person responsible for the grand basketball opening of a showpiece arena grabbed the microphone Wednesday before tipoff and uttered words that a 54-year-old NBA franchise had never heard before:
“Welcome home, Clipper Nation!” shouted Steve Ballmer.
Yes, the only other yell that could generate more excitement and maybe disbelief would be: “We’re finally champions.”
Until that day arrives, the Clippers and their fans will gladly accept this — a $2 billion gift from Ballmer in the form of an 18,000-seat arena named Intuit Dome, their very own home, that instantly becomes the standard by which all future arenas must meet if they dare.
Not many franchise owners have Ballmer’s funds and probably not his enthusiasm and vision, either. To be clear, this is the Arena That Ballmer Built and he didn’t cut any corners.
The first NBA game at Intuit Dome was a complete success … until the Clippers were denied by the Phoenix Suns, 116-113, Wednesday before a crowd that didn’t fill every seat but stayed through overtime.
Here are Five Takeaways from Dome sweet Dome:
When the franchise was known as the Buffalo Braves, their home was shared with the Sabres hockey team in the Aud (short for Auditorium), a rickety barn with character. The move to San Diego and a name change to the Clippers came with an unlikely neighbor in the Sports Arena — the Sockers indoor soccer team.
Another move, another co-tenant next: Sharing the L.A. Sports Arena with the USC basketball teams. Then the Clippers finally stepped up in amenities with a move to downtown LA, but were third-class citizens to the Lakers and Kings at the Staples Center (now Crypto.com Arena).
And now, here in Inglewood — coincidently the former home base of the Lakers — it’s all Clippers and only Clippers.
The Intuit Dome is the finest in the league for obvious reasons — Ballmer, the wealthiest NBA owner, spared no expense. And it was built here in the technology age, allowing the Clippers to capitalize on every megabit and chip known to man.
Aside from the number of bathrooms (three times the NBA average) and the ability for fans to buy food and merch from an app, then grab and go — no lines — two features stand out. The overhead “Halo” scoreboard is splashy: its 360 degrees in rich 4K with four different replay angles. There’s also “The Wall,” the 51-row fan section behind a basket that’s entirely without luxury suites, is designed to capture a college-like feel.
Most of all, and probably best, is how the arena is exclusively configured for a basketball court only. It gives the vibe of being on top of the action. With obstruction-free sight lines and rows with extra legroom, half of the Clippers’ problems are over. This arena is fan-friendly.
Circle Jan. 19, the most important home date of the Clippers’ season because you-know-who pays their first visit.
If Lakers fans snap up the seats for that game and take control of the building — a real possibility — it won’t be a good look for the Clippers. And this is possible, because (a) the Clippers without Kawhi Leonard for an unspecified stretch could fall in the standings, and (b) it’s the Lakers.
There is a bigger picture here: Can the Intuit Dome help attract free agents in the future? Maybe that’s too optimistic since players tend to leave one team for another for money. Still, it doesn’t hurt, nor does the attached practice facility which is more basketball facility eye candy.
Missing the season and arena opener was a franchise setback. It reaffirmed that his body can’t be relied upon, and any team that’s opening a billion-dollar arena wants as much star power as possible.
There were rows of empty seats Wednesday before tipoff, which leads to another issue: Suppose the Clippers struggle this season and next? Then what?
Not only were the Clippers without Kawhi, but Paul George now plays for the 76ers. Those two were supposed to introduce a new direction for the franchise, but that was five years ago and, to use a Clipper phrase, that ship has sailed.
Your best player needs to be your most dependable as well. Otherwise, what’s the point?
It might be wishful thinking on the Clippers’ part to expect, or even plead with the basketball Gods, for James Harden to magically flip back to his days with the Houston Rockets. He was a force of basketball nature then, won a Kia MVP and got buckets like few in this game ever managed.
Time brings gravity, though, and Earth came calling for Harden as it does everyone. He’s not dropping 30 a night anymore but can give a flashback now and then and remains a very effective passer.
It’s a way of saying that, without Leonard, the Clippers could use whatever greatness Harden has left. Or at least an All-Star-like start to this season.
He was at times the most impactful player Wednesday on a floor shared with Kevin Durant and Devin Booker. Harden (29 points) came two assists from a triple-double … but also had eight turnovers and missed the second of two free throws with four seconds left in OT that would’ve tied the game.
With George gone and Leonard hurt, Harden finally has the ball and the green light all to himself. The last time that happened wasn’t in Brooklyn or Philadelphia. Can his time in Houston bring back a memory or three?
“For me, it’s to be able to play a role that’s needed to win,” Harden said of his current role. “Just playing basketball and a natural feel, whether I got to score at a high clip or make assists. I read what the defense gives me. So on this team it’s a little bit of scoring and play-making and making guys’ jobs a lot easier.”
The clear difference between the Suns and Clippers was showcased in the moment of truth. When Devin Booker fouled out with just under two minutes left, Durant and Bradley Beal were around to bail Phoenix out.
When Harden drew extra defensive attention which forced turnovers, the Clippers didn’t have as many other options late in the game and OT.
For a late stretch in the fourth, Harden and Durant exchanged buckets, providing drama and a glimpse of what-if. Remember, they were teammates once in Brooklyn but let’s just say things didn’t work out.
Harden knows what’s at stake for him and the Clippers until Leonard returns.
“I saw a lot of good things from our group and I think we can improve even more,” he said. “But I’ve got to play way better.”
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Shaun Powell has covered the NBA for more than 25 years. You can e-mail him here, find his archive here and follow him on X.
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