We were lucky enough that our dad would take us on rare occasions to the madhouse when we were little. Actually surprised we didn’t go to more because he was such a hoops nut. But he may also have been the most frugal man ever during our childhood, so that may have been the reason. Always remember falling asleep in the deep cushiony velvet backseat of my fathers car listening to KTAR postgame on the drive home.
We were also family friends with the daughter of Irv Kosloff who owned the 76ers until 1976. They gave us courtside seats to one game. I was five. There was someone sitting in my seat. My dad had me go up to the individual and tell him he was in my seat. The guy stood up. And kept going up. Way up. It was bill Walton. I’m sure my father got a kick outta that.
Dad also had 5 games per year the first couple Barkley years. I remember going to some great games. A 1994 late season regular season game against the Sonics where we pulled off a comeback that ended with Barkley finger shooting at a Box full of rowdy and loud Sonic fans. I think Brother Who Shall Not post went to that game with me.
A Finals rematch on a Sunday against the MJ-less but still very good Bulls that we won when the Bulls missed a three to tie it. Game 2 of Suns Spurs in 1993 playoffs. Unfortunately the Game 3 L against Houston where Ainge spiked Elie in the face beginning of the end of that series meltdown.
But the biggest game we had tickets to was the one that never came to pass… lower Bowl tickets to Game 7 of SUNS V. BULLS. A game for THE AGES! Until Paxson for 3.
UGHHHHHHHH!!!!!!
Oddly enough, I rarely got to see a big time Barkley or KJ performance. Usually ended up a big AC Green game… which were never that big or super exciting.