I don't know that I've ever had as much fun at a losing game as I did tonight at Memorial Coliseum. Maybe I don't leave feeling that way if Wednesday's loss to the Suns was a regular season game, but would I trade a preseason win in the Rose Garden for the experience of playing again at Memorial Coliseum, even in a losing effort? I don't think so.
Like I said in the live blog, that building still has some life left in it. It's not a perfect venue by any definition, but I was expecting worse after hearing some of the things people were saying about the MC during the debate this summer over what to do with the building. To hear some people tell it you'd think the place was a strong gust of wind away from collapsing on itself.
Maybe I've got low standards, but I thought the joint looked pretty cool. Dropping the curtains that surround the bowl is definitely the way to go. You don't get the full effect at night, but when the sun is up and natural light is streaming into the building from all directions, it's a rather unique setting. And even at night it's a nice change of pace from the enclosure of the Rose Garden. The MC is like a small office with a window; it's not nearly as nice as the big corner suite, but at least it's got a nice view.
Not that I'd want to play 41 games a season there. The lack of a legit scoreboard is a killer, especially for someone like myself who often misses plays the first time around. Besides being small, I guess the locker rooms don't have showers, as the team had to walk back to the Rose Garden to hose off postgame. But other than that, it seemed alright to me. But then again, I'm not participating in the halftime rush to the bathroom with 12,000 people or having to wait in line for an elephant ear on the concourse, so I'm probably not the best judge of the building's public amenities.
And that's too say nothing of the game. Coach McMillan joked a few days ago that if the team played well at the MC, maybe he'd consider playing a few more games in the building. After Wednesdays game, I'm guessing he's never going to allow the team to step foot in the "Glass Palace" again. Not a whole lot of positives to take away from that one. Greg Oden looked good and Martell Webster is deadset on posterizing someone eventually, but after that, a mixed bag at best.
So forget about what you saw in the building and focus on the building itself. A bit of an oldie, but kind of a goodie.
2 comments:
Hey Casey - I know this is a cliche - but OLD is GOLD. :-) I just wrote over on Mike's Blog, that the MC holds a lot of good memories for me and other in my family. Being at those games with the best starting 5 of those years: The Glide, Duck, TP, Kersey and Buck - those were some good times indeed. Thanks for the pics as well.
I said it lastnight, I'll say it again...
It was great to hear the Schonz on the radio again. That paired with them being back in the MC, and your excellent live blog. It really filled in the giant gaping hole left by no live TV. Hope you guys do that again for future games.
Oh, and where's my Rudy pic? Joking. mostly...
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