MADISON SQUARE GARDEN VS. AIR CANADA CENTRE
April 16, 2009 by The Girl in the Pink Pumps
As a Canadian (eh), everyone assumes your one and only love is hockey and if you are from Toronto, that one and only love must be the Toronto Maple Leafs. I am Canadian, but I am not a hockey fan. Don’t tell any of my fellow Canucks, but sweaty men running around in skates just isn’t my thing.
I love New York. It’s THE “City” of “Sex in the City” fame: the land of great shopping, amazing eateries and loads of history and culture. Oh, and mediocre sports teams. Just kidding…sorta.
But I’m also a critic, and I can be a harsh one. I have been to many stadiums around the world, so when it comes to a stadium in a city I love, I can be tough. I’ve heard a lot of things about Madison Square Garden, so I wanted to check it out for myself. I thought it would a worthy comparison to the stadium in my beloved hometown, the Air Canada Centre (ACC).
As a Torontonian and a laid-back Raptors fan, I thought it would be a good idea to watch my team play in the city. I heard the New York Knicks were not a stellar team, but I thought I would go for the experience of being at historic MSG. Like Toronto’s Air Canada Centre, MSG is IN THE CITY. Unlike other sports stadiums that are almost an hour away from the city, MSG is about a 15 minutes subway ride from my downtown apartment. Even the Air Canada Centre is a longer train ride from house. For those that live downtown, ACC is centrally located and a short walk from the financial district, so it’s quite accessible after work. (MSG 1, ACC 2 - While MSG gets one point for being in the city, ACC gets an extra point for being in the city AND proximity to work. Yes, it’s all about me.)
I know most sports arenas prohibit food in their complexes, but normally you can sneak something past the guards. This was not the case at MSG. After a quick search, the security guard discovered a small pastry in my bag and gave me two choices: eat it in front of him or throw it out. So I threw it out. At the ACC, you are allowed to bring food into the stadium. At the least, they’re more lenient. I have even seen people bring Harvey’s, which is almost as good as Manhattan’s Shake Shack burger, into the arena. (MSG 1, ACC 3)
The inside of the stadium is very dark, with only the center court lit up, and is very different from the brighter Toronto arena. As a result, MSG has a mysterious feel to it. (MSG 2, ACC 3)
The stadium is not as big as I thought it would be. There are no theater seats like the ones found in newer arenas, so people standing in the rows below have a good chance of blocking you. I know MSG needs to make money, but guys sporting crazy hats with antennae selling cotton candy hanging off of a yard-long stick really should NOT be allowed to roam the stadium freely. I can’t count the times my view was blocked during a crucial moment in the game. It was extremely frustrating. I even have numerous photos with those candy vendors where there should be a court and players. (MSG 2, ACC 4)
I played basketball in high school (I was No. 23 – just like Michael Jordan) and in college, but I can’t say I’m a huge basketball critic. I’m usually there to enjoy the game and watch the magic happen on the court. However, during this particular game I was extremely disappointed by how the Raptors played. I was witness to a flood of missed baskets and defensive breakdowns. The Raptors were playing so badly, I probably could’ve played better than most of the players on the court. Well, except for Chris Bosh, a great player without great teammates. The Knicks won, 127-97. (MSG 3, ACC 4)
To my pleasant surprise, there were a few other Raptor fans in the arena, so I was not afraid to show my enthusiasm. That’s one great thing about this place. It doesn’t just draw Knicks fan – it’s a destination for all sports fanatics. (MSG 4, ACC 5 - Both stadiums get a point, MSG for its diverse fanbase, and ACC for having dedicated fans despite a crappy team.)
As for celebrity sightings, I saw Spike Lee. Granted, it was rather far away and even with the zoom lens on my camera, I ended up with a blurry shot. But it did make my day. (MSG 5, ACC 5)
Overall, would I go back to MSG? Of course I would. It’s close to the city, envelops you with a mysterious and unique vibe and offers fans of every kind. But I’ll need to find a team entertaining enough to justify the $70 you have to shell out for a mediocre seat.
Would I watch the Raptors here in the city again? That’s questionable
Final Score: MSG 5, ACC 5
Awesome article, the ACC has its benefits i particular like the proximity to everything else Toronto has to offer.
I’ve added this article to basketballbuzz.ca, feel free to vote for it for others to see.
jlo, you played ball in highschool and university??? i had no idea.
nice comparison. i’ve seen NBA and NCAA games in chicago, cleveland and milwaukee but never at MSG - i would love to at some point in the future.
nice article jen!