Weekend Loss For Atlanta Is A Win
Last weekend, I took my son to Atlanta where, as Ludacris will tell you, it’s where the players play. In this case, it was the basketball players playing as we were headed to State Farm Arena to watch the local Atlanta Hawks take on the Milwaukee Bucks.
Atlanta Fans Have It Tough
I’ve been a Hawks fan for years and, let me tell you, it ain’t easy. The days of finding a game on TV are over, as you have to now have a certain app and buy a membership. And, while I’m a fan, I’m not a “buy ANOTHER app membership fan.” I’m not exactly a “go see games live” kind of fan, either. So, what were we doing at the game? I’m glad you asked!
My son has been a Giannis Antetokounmpo fan since he knew what basketball was. A few years ago, he asked for tickets to see “The Greek Freak” play for Christmas. After that first game, it became a regular item on his Christmas list. This year was his third annual trip.
For my part, I’ve been to two of these games with him. The Atlanta Hawks lost both. This would be another reason why being a fan ain’t easy. This team, like my other favorite Atlanta team, the Falcons, are perennially almost good. The losses are tolerable, as I’m used to their gratuitous ‘L’ column. But at least I get to watch their generational star talent, Trae Young, put on a shooting clinic, right? Nope. He was out with injury both times.
The pre-game atmosphere at Atlanta Hawks games is electric!
Atlanta Hawks Games Are Fun, Despite The Game Itself
This brings me to the game experience itself. While the atmosphere was mostly fun, it was hardly exciting. It’s not the arena’s fault. They have an exciting pre-game experience, filled with ATL music and highlights on the amazingly crisp jumbotron display. The game had 2 live DJ’s (DJ Mohawk and DJ Chika Takai), a live beat mixer on a drum machine and syndicated radio host Big Tigger on the mic. The Hawks mascot was very active and the arena put on entertaining activities during timeouts. The fans, however, sounded like they were all reading books during the game. And, as usual, there seemed to be more fans of the opposing team in the arena.
DJ Mohawk says “Peace Up” before the Atlanta Hawks game on March 30
Giannis Is The Future
One could only assume that Giannis’s recent Prime documentary, “Giannis: The Marvelous Journey” and Disney’s “Rise”, based on the player’s life, probably contributed to the Bucks’ high number of fans at the game. The guy does have a pretty amazing story of coming from absolutely nothing and lifting his entire family out of extreme poverty through the game of basketball. Not to mention, the guy is REALLY good! But, still, he led his team to another Atlanta loss so, I had a salty comment for pretty much anything he did on the court.
Augusta, Please Learn From Atlanta Mistakes
The saltiness was spurred along by my extreme discomfort. I don’t know who the model was for the sizing of the State Farm Arena seats but I can only assume it was a kindergartener. You ever been on a Spirit Airlines flight? These seats are smaller. With less elbow room. Instead of having knees pressing in the back of your seat, the knees are in the back of your head. And the airline tickets cost less! But, at least there were people squeezing through the 6” area in front of me every 5 minutes. I don’t mean to sound like I’m complaining.. on second thought, yes I do.
Atlanta Is Still A Favorite Destination
A really cool giant chrome peach, just outside State Farm Arena, blinging in the sunset
The rest of the trip was fun. We enjoyed a great burger and atmosphere at “Farm Burger” in Atlanta’s Virginia Highland neighborhood and we booked a room at the Hunger Games hotel, the Marriott Marquis. Took a stroll through Centennial Olympic Park and rode some scooters.
The iconic atrium inside downtown Atlanta’s Marriott Marquis
I love that town and enjoy myself every time I visit. My son has come to love it just as much. I cherish making these memories with him and look forward to next year’s game, kid-sized seats & all!
The scene around Atlanta’s Centennial Park is exciting!
