Guide for an Australian

[rodriguesm13]

Hi everybody!

My name is Mike. Glad to be on the forums with everyone.

In March I will be taking my first trip the USA and I will be lucky enough to be in Phoenix for a couple nights, including for the game against New York on the 28th.

If you can accommodate all my questions, I'd like to get a bit of advice to make sure my first NBA experience is a memorable one. I hope you can humor me, and possibly help in giving me a few responses to the following.

1. Where should I purchase my tickets? Ticketmaster, NBA Marketplace or elsewhere?
2. Should I be sooner or later?
3. Best value for money in terms of seating (Sections around the $150 - $350 price range if possible.)
4. Best places to eat pre/post game, plus any recommended night life around the US Airways?
5. Finally I understand this may be a long shot, but the best opportunity to meet players pre or post game?

I appreciate everyone taking the time to read. Hopefully your answers will help me and my friends so when we get there, we do not look completely lost.


Thanks!

 

[BC867]

Welcome, mate.

1. You might want to add Stubhub to the list. Individual game tickets from season ticket holders. There are companies or individuals (scalpers) who purchase blocks of tickets in advance for resale on the site, as well.

4. I recommended Majerle's a couple of blocks from the arena. He, of course, was a former Sun and now the head coach of Grand Canyon University. Their burgers are sensational. Large and delicious.

 

[ProdigalSun]

Hi everybody!

My name is Mike. Glad to be on the forums with everyone.

In March I will be taking my first trip the USA and I will be lucky enough to be in Phoenix for a couple nights, including for the game against New York on the 28th.

If you can accommodate all my questions, I'd like to get a bit of advice to make sure my first NBA experience is a memorable one. I hope you can humor me, and possibly help in giving me a few responses to the following.

1. Where should I purchase my tickets? Ticketmaster, NBA Marketplace or elsewhere?
2. Should I be sooner or later?
3. Best value for money in terms of seating (Sections around the $150 - $350 price range if possible.)
4. Best places to eat pre/post game, plus any recommended night life around the US Airways?
5. Finally I understand this may be a long shot, but the best opportunity to meet players pre or post game?

I appreciate everyone taking the time to read. Hopefully your answers will help me and my friends so when we get there, we do not look completely lost.


Thanks!

5. The courtside club tickets allow you to possibly get autographs and see the players as they walk out to their cars. Those tickets ran ~300 per ticket for single game about 5 years ago so I don't know what they are now. They also give you valet parking, a buffet dinner, a bar, and snacks throughout the game. Pretty sweet deal if you're planning on splurging for 1 game

The other option for meeting players might be the Scottsdale clubs after the game (Diaw used to hang out there all the time)

 

[Gaddabout]

- If you're only going to see one game, pay for the courtside tickets. Seeing the actual size of those players at the speed they play at and the athletic things that they do, it will change your perspective on what the NBA is forever. I remember the first time I saw the Suns up close. It did not properly respect how BIG these guys are, or how truly athletic they are. After that moment, I had an awe of NBA athletes. They're different from any other sport, because they're moving at world-class speed in jumbo-jet type bodies. The added factor of skill just raises the notch that much higher.

- Downtown Phoenix is a mixed bag. It is not one of the great American downtown centers, but it does have some mild pleasures. For pre-meal, I suggest taking the light rail north to Portland/Central for a steak at Portland's. They also have a decent selection of western U.S. wines and local beers. They open for dinner at 4:30pm. I heartily recommend have a Four Peaks Kiltlifter with a blue cheese Butcher's Steak. Post-game, I wish I could recommend Los Dos Molinos, but they're only open until 9pm. Maybe head over to the Rum Bar at the Breadfruit for some Caribbean-style shrimp ceviche and drinks.

- For laid back daytime stuff, there's a Chihuly exhibit at the Desert Botanical Garden I think is pretty cool.

- Nightlife happens in Scottsdale and Tempe. You'll need a cab/car for that and to get to the DBG.

 

[crisper57]

- If you're only going to see one game, pay for the courtside tickets. Seeing the actual size of those players at the speed they play at and the athletic things that they do, it will change your perspective on what the NBA is forever. I remember the first time I saw the Suns up close. It did not properly respect how BIG these guys are, or how truly athletic they are. After that moment, I had an awe of NBA athletes. They're different from any other sport, because they're moving at world-class speed in jumbo-jet type bodies. The added factor of skill just raises the notch that much higher.

- Downtown Phoenix is a mixed bag. It is not one of the great American downtown centers, but it does have some mild pleasures. For pre-meal, I suggest taking the light rail north to Portland/Central for a steak at Portland's. They also have a decent selection of western U.S. wines and local beers. They open for dinner at 4:30pm. I heartily recommend have a Four Peaks Kiltlifter with a blue cheese Butcher's Steak. Post-game, I wish I could recommend Los Dos Molinos, but they're only open until 9pm. Maybe head over to the Rum Bar at the Breadfruit for some Caribbean-style shrimp ceviche and drinks.

- For laid back daytime stuff, there's a Chihuly exhibit at the Desert Botanical Garden I think is pretty cool.

- Nightlife happens in Scottsdale and Tempe. You'll need a cab/car for that and to get to the DBG.

Los Dos Molinos moved away from the downtown location. Now they are up on Camelback, I think.

Anyway, there are lots of good spots downtown. Unfortunately, not a lot of people come down to enjoy them. Cityscape (just west of the arena) has some pretty good venues. Cooperstown is a fun time for out-of-towners (just south of the arena).

But I concur with everyone else here. If you want to be around the action, go to Old Town Scottsdale (for the young adult/cougar crowd) or downtown Tempe (for the college scene).