With the Pistons leaving the Palace of Auburn Hills after this season, we take a look at the best final seasons for NBA arenas over the course of league history.
Nov 23, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; A general view of The Palace of Auburn Hills before the game between the Detroit Pistons and the Miami Heat. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
The Detroit Pistons announced Oct. 29th this season would be their last at the Palace of Auburn Hills. The team will move downtown to the new Little Caesars Arena and share the building with the NHL’s Detroit Red Wings.
The Pistons — currently 8-10 and ninth in the Eastern Conference — will seek to close out this season on the best note. But what will it take to make this year the best for a team closing out an arena?
We take a look at the 10 best swan songs for an NBA arena. Every team’s main arena was considered going back to 1965-66. For teams that entered their arena mid-season, the previous year was considered.
However, none of the teams that made the list dealt with that situation. A combination of SRS rating and playoff success was used to determine each team’s placing on that list.
We’ll also take a look at what happened to the arenas that were left behind. It may give us clarity into what will become of the Palace as officials figure out what to do with it once the Pistons leave.
You will see by the end of the list that the 2016-17 Pistons have a tall order to fill if they want to claim the best final season in an arena. Click through to find out which teams truly went out with a bang.
Basketball: San Antonio Spurs Antoine Carr (35) in action vs Boston Celtics at HemisFair Arena.
San Antonio, TX 2/11/1992
CREDIT: John W. McDonough (Photo by John W. McDonough /Sports Illustrated/Getty Images)
(Set Number: X42503 )
10. 1992-93 San Antonio Spurs; HemisFair Arena
Record & SRS: 49-33, 2.21 SRS
Playoffs: lost in the Western Conference semifinals to the Phoenix Suns, 4-2
Win Shares Leader: David Robinson (13.2)
The San Antonio Spurs called the HemisFair Arena home for 20 years, dating back to their ABA days.
The season began with legendary college coach Jerry Tarkanian at the helm. However, “The Shark” was let go 20 games into the season and was replaced by John Lucas II. The Spurs went 39-22 the remainder of the year under Lucas.
The Spurs were able to dispatch the Portland Trail Blazers in the first round in four games. In the next round, they ran into Charles Barkley and the Phoenix Suns.
The Suns broke out to a 2-0 lead in the series. But the Spurs were able to take the next two games in San Antonio. A Game 5 loss in Phoenix had San Antonio facing elimination on their home court.
Game 6 went down to the wire. A Charles Barkley mid-range jumper and an Oliver Miller block on Robinson eliminated the Spurs 102-100 and turned out the lights on the Spurs’ tenure in the HemisFair.
The Spurs would move to the Alamodome for the 1993-94 season. HemisFair Arena would be open for two more seasons. The final events there were a Van Halen concert in March 1995 and a high school graduation in May of the same year.
The building was torn down in June 1995 and the site was used for an expansion of a local convention center.
Basketball: NBA Playoffs: Chicago Bulls B.J. Armstrong (10) in action vs New York Knicks Patrick Ewing (33) at Chicago Stadium. Game 6.
Chicago, IL 5/20/1994
CREDIT: John Biever (Photo by John Biever /Sports Illustrated/Getty Images)
(Set Number: X46193 )
9. 1993-94 Chicago Bulls; Chicago Stadium
Record & SRS: 55-27, 2.87 SRS
Playoffs: Lost in the Eastern Conference semifinals to the New York Knicks, 4-3
Win Shares Leader: Scottie Pippen (11.2)
Chicago Stadium was the original “Madhouse on Madison.” It opened in 1929 as the home of the NHL’s Chicago Blackhawks. The Bulls didn’t come along until 1967. Chicago Stadium was the home to the Bulls’ first championship three-peat from 1991-93.
The Stadium’s last season was the first year of Michael Jordan’s mid-’90s retirement. The noticeable lack of Airness put the spotlight on Scottie Pippen. Pippen rose to the challenge by averaging 22.0 points, 8.7 rebounds, 5.6 assists, and 2.9 steals.
He won All-Star Game MVP and earned All-NBA and All-Defensive First Team honors.
The Bulls swept the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round of the playoffs and took on the rival New York Knicks in the conference semifinals.
The Knicks series was a knock-down, drag-out, seven-game classic. The series featured the infmaous Game 3. That game saw a big brawl with commissioner David Stern in attendance at the game.
Pippen refused to play the final 1.8 seconds of the game because the final play wasn’t designed for him. The Bulls won that game anyway 104-102. Toni Kukoc hit the game-winning shot the play was designed for him to take.
The Bulls last game in Chicago Stadium was a 93-79 win in Game 6 to stave off elimination. Chicago were eliminated in Game 7 two days later.
The final event at The Stadium was the Ameritech Classic charity basketball game organized by Pippen. The Bulls began playing at the United Center across the street. Chicago Stadium was torn down over a four-month span from February to May 1995.
Basketball: NBA Playoffs: Utah Jazz John Stockton (12) in action vs Portland Trail Blazers at the Salt Palace. Game 3.
Salt Lake City, UT 5/11/1991
CREDIT: John W. McDonough (Photo by John W. McDonough /Sports Illustrated/Getty Images)
(Set Number: X41392 )
8. 1990-91 Utah Jazz; Salt Palace
Record & SRS: 54-28, 3.18 SRS
Playoffs: Lost in the Western Conference semifinals to the Portland Trail Blazers, 4-1
Win Shares Leader: Karl Malone (15.5)
The NBA moved the New Orleans Jazz out to Salt Lake City in 1979 under the assumption that team would eventually fold. The Utah Jazz instead have endured behind the support of some of the loyalist fans in the league.
The Salt Palace was their home for the first 12 years in the Beehive State. Their final year in the building was a business-as-usual year. The team’s 54-28 season was their third consecutive 50-win season.
The Jazz were led by the legendary dynamic duo of Karl Malone & John Stockton. Big man Mark Eaton was a key contributor on defense while 2-guard Jeff Malone contributed big on offense. Utah easily defeated the Suns 3-1 in the first round.
They fell to Clyde Drexler and the Portland Trail Blazers 4-1 in the conference semifinals. Their final game at the Salt Palace was a 104-101 loss in Game 4.
The Jazz would move on to the Delta Center in 1991-92. That building would be the site of the team’s two consecutive NBA Finals appearances. The Delta Center became EnergySolutions Arena in 2006 and was renamed Vivint Smart Home Arena in 2015.
The Salt Palace was demolished in 1994 and replaced by a convention center of the same name.
DALLAS, UNITED STATES: Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban (C) leaves the court following the Mavericks win over the Utah Jazz at Reunion Arena in Dallas, Texas 01 May 2001. The Mavericks defeated the Jazz 107-77 to stay alive in their Western Conference playoff series and force a decisive game five. AFP PHOTO/Paul BUCK (Photo credit should read PAUL BUCK/AFP/Getty Images)
7. 2000-01 Dallas Mavericks; Reunion Arena
Record & SRS: 53-29, 4.61 SRS
Playoffs: Lost in the Western Conference semifinals to the San Antonio Spurs, 4-1
Win Shares Leader: Dirk Nowitzki (14.6)
In retrospect, this season was the beginning of something special in Dallas Mavericks history.
The 2001 Mavs had the franchise’s first 50-win season since 1987-88. It would be the first of 11 consecutive 50-win seasons. The team also clinched the franchise’s first playoff appearance since 1989-90. That streak would last for 12 seasons.
2000-01 was also the first year that 1998 draft pick Dirk Nowitzki would lead the team in win shares. Nowitzki would lead the next 11 campaigns and 13 of the last 15.
Reunion Arena had been the Mavericks’ only home since the franchise’s start in 1980. However, the area had become obsolete in the face of bigger, better arenas that arrived during the mid- to late ’90s. The Mavs needed a new home to match their impending ascension.
The Mavs took the Utah Jazz to five games in the first round before gaining the upper hand. Dallas would meet their match against the in-state rival San Antonio Spurs. San Antonio would take down Dallas 4-1.
The Mavs’ only win of the series was their final game at Reunion Arena, a 112-108 win in Game 4.
The Mavericks would move into American Airlines Center, making the NBA Finals in 2006 and winning it all in 2011. Reunion Arena continued hosting events through 2008. It was eventually torn down in November 2009.
Basketball: NBA Playoffs: Chicago Bulls Michael Jordan (23) in action vs Atlanta Hawks Steve Smith
6. 1996-97 Atlanta Hawks; The Omni Coliseum
Record & SRS: 56-26, 5.51 SRS
Playoffs: Lost in the Eastern Conference semifinals to the Chicago Bulls, 4-1
Win Shares Leader: Mookie Blaylock (12.5)
The Omni was an intriguing building from its egg-carton exterior to the slanted lower bowl corner seating on the inside. It was the first major venue for Atlanta, a major economic hub of the South. However, the Coliseum was showing its age by the late ’90s and it was time for a change.
The final year in the Omni was a particularly strong showing for the Hawks. Their 56-26 record under coach Lenny Wilkens placed them second in the Central Division behind the Chicago Bulls.
The team was led by a solid starting five of Mookie Blaylock, Christian Laettner, Dikembe Mutombo, Steve Smith and Tyrone Corbin.
The Hawks fought past the Pistons in the first round, 3-2, then came up against the Bulls in the conference semifinals. They were quickly done away with in five games as the Bulls were well on their way to the fifth title of their dynasty. The last game in The Omni was a 89-80 loss in Game 4.
The Omni was torn down that summer to make way for the new arena. The Hawks spent two seasons splitting time between the Georgia Dome and Georgia Tech’s Alexander Memorial Coliseum. The Atlanta Hawks moved into Philips Arena, on the site of The Omni, in 1999.
Basketball: Denver Nuggets Walter Davis (6) in action, block vs Phoenix Suns Andrew Lang (28) at Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
Phoenix, AZ 11/24/1991
CREDIT: John W. McDonough (Photo by John W. McDonough /Sports Illustrated/Getty Images)
(Set Number: X42076 )
5. 1991-92 Phoenix Suns; Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
Record & SRS: 53-29, 5.68 SRS
Playoffs: Lost in the Western Conference semifinals to the Portland Trail Blazers, 4-1
Win Shares Leader: Jeff Hornacek (11.6)
The Phoenix Suns called Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum home from the franchise’s beginning in 1968. The team made the NBA Finals in 1976 and spent a large part of the ’80s making extended runs into the postseason.
The franchise deserved a new arena to house those exciting playoff moments.
The Coliseum’s final year saw the Suns reach the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season. The team was lead by the backcourt duo of Jeff Hornacek and Kevin Johnson. They also received potent production from sixth man Dan Majerle and former All-Star Tom Chambers.
Chambers was a starter during the season, but spent the playoffs making big bench contributions off the bench.
The Suns swept the San Antonio Spurs in the first round 3-0, then faced the Trail Blazers in the conference semifinals. Phoenix fell short in five games, but they didn’t leave AVMC without leaving a major impression.
The Suns’ lone win came in Game 3 with Phoenix prevailing 124-117. The final game at the Coliseum was a 153-151 double-overtime loss for the Suns. The thriller came down to a missed three-pointer at the buzzer by Majerle.
The Blazers would close out Phoenix the following game and go on to face the Chicago Bulls in the NBA Finals.
The Suns moved into America West Arena downtown the following season. Phoenix would make the NBA Finals, trading for Charles Barkley prior to first season at the arena. The building is now known as Talking Stick Resort Arena.
Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum continues to stand at the state fairgrounds. The arena hosts smaller events, as well as the Arizona State Fair.
Basketball: NBA Playoffs: San Antonio Spurs Tim Duncan (21) in action vs Los Angeles Lakers Robert Horry (5) and Kobe Bryant (8) at Alamodome. Game 4
San Antonio, TX 5/12/2002
CREDIT: John W. McDonough (Photo by John W. McDonough /Sports Illustrated/Getty Images)
(Set Number: X65883 )
4. 2001-02 San Antonio Spurs; Alamodome
Record & SRS: 58-24, 6.28 SRS
Playoffs: Lost in the Western Conference Semifinals to the Los Angeles Lakers, 4-1
Win Shares Leader: Tim Duncan (17.8)
As mentioned in a previous slide, the Spurs moved to the Alamodome in 1993. The Spurs are one of only five franchises (joining the Raptors, Minnesota Timberwolves, Pistons, Seattle SuperSonics and New Orleans Jazz) to ever call a domed stadium home on a full-time basis.
They did so for nine seasons.
Their final season in the Alamodome came at the front-end of the Spurs’ 2000s dynasty. One championship banner from 1999 was already hanging in the rafters.
Tim Duncan led the way for San Antonio while David Robinson played his penultimate season. This season was Tony Parker’s rookie campaign.
The Spurs took down the Seattle SuperSonics in the first round, 3-2 (the final season the first round would be a best-of-5). San Antonio came head-to-head with the Los Angeles Lakers in the following round. The series only went to five games, but it was a slog of a series.
Neither team reached 100 points. Game 3’s 99-89 Laker victory was the only game decided by more than six points.
The Alamodome’s last stand was the Spurs’ 87-85 loss in Game 4 of the series. The Lakers would eliminate the Spurs the following game and go on to sweep the New Jersey Nets in the NBA Finals.
The San Antonio Spurs would move into the SBC Center the following season. That arena is now known as AT&T Center.
The Alamodome still stands and continues to regularly host events. While the dome mostly hosts football — as it was intended to when it was built — it has also hosted the NCAA Final Four (1998, 2008, 2018) and a pair Texas Rangers spring training baseball games annually since 2013.
1 Jun 1999: Dale Davis #32 of the Indiana Pacers dunks the ball against Chris Dudley #14 of the New York Knicks during game two of the NBA eastern conference finals at Market Square Arena in Indianapolis, Indiana. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Stockman/ALLSPORT
3. 1998-99 Indiana Pacers; Market Square Arena
Record & SRS: 33-17, 3.86 SRS
Playoffs: Lost in the Eastern Conference Finals to the New York Knicks, 4-2
Win Shares Leader: Reggie Miller (6.4)
1999 saw a wave of new arenas hit the NBA. The Clippers and Lakers, Hawks, Nuggets, Raptors, Heat and Pacers all built swanky new homes in which to play ball. Of the teams that were moving into new homes over this span, the Pacers by far had the best final season in their old venue.
The Indiana Pacers came into the lockout-shortened 1999 season with the upper hand to contend in the Eastern Conference. They had roster continuity: 92 percent of the team’s minutes in 1999 came from players on the 1997-98 club.
The dismantling of the Bulls’ dynasty over the offseason also gave them a chance to take over pole position in the Central Division.
The Pacers finished the year first in the division and tied for the conference lead with the Miami Heat and Orlando Magic. The tiebreaker landed them in the second seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs.
The Pacers swept through the Milwaukee Bucks and Philadelphia 76ers in the first two rounds before reaching the Eastern Conference Finals. The Pacers were matched up against the eighth-seeded New York Knicks.
New York knocked off top-seeded Miami 3-2 with a go-ahead clutch basket from Allan Houston. The Knicks then went on to sweep the Hawks to set up the matchup with the Pacers.
The Knicks-Pacers series went to six hard-fought games. Market Square Arena’s final game was a 101-94 Pacers loss in Game 5. New York closed out the series at Madison Square Garden.
The Pacers moved into Conseco Fieldhouse (now known as Bakers Life Fieldhouse) the following season. The Pacers went on to the NBA Finals in 2000, but fell to the Los Angeles Lakers in six games.
Market Square Arena closed in October 1999. It was subsequently demolished in July 2001.
Basketball: NBA Playoffs: Orlando Magic Vince Carter (15) in action, shot vs Boston Celtics. Game 5. Orlando, FL 5/26/2010 CREDIT: Bob Rosato (Photo by Bob Rosato /Sports Illustrated/Getty Images) (Set Number: X84278 TK1 R8 F55 )
2. 2009-10 Orlando Magic; Amway Arena
Record & SRS: 59-23, 7.12 SRS
Playoffs: Lost in the Eastern Conference Finals to the Boston Celtics, 4-2
Win Shares Leader: Dwight Howard (13.2)
Amway Arena was only 21 years old by the time it was set to close down, but the Magic felt it was best to move on to a new place. They were in the midst of another great run of seasons, making the Finals in 2009 before falling to the Lakers in five games.
They had the opportunity to close out the “O-Rena” on a high note.
The Magic were able to match their win total from the previous year, and were two games short of matching that playoff success.
Orlando was able to sweep their first two playoff opponents: the Bobcats and the Hawks. The Magic lost their first game of the playoffs in Game 1 of their conference finals matchup against the Celtics.
The Magic would fall behind two games before taking Game 3 in Boston. Amway Arena’s last game was a 113-92 victory in Game 5. The Celtics would eliminate the Magic the following game in Boston.
The Magic would leave their relatively young arena and move into the similarly titled but more opulent Amway Center. After their first two seasons in the new building, the Magic have not reached the playoffs since.
Basketball: NBA Playoffs: Detroit Pistons Adrian Dantley (45) in action vs Boston Celtics at Pontiac Silverdome. Game 3.
Pontiac, MI 5/28/1988
CREDIT: Manny Millan (Photo by Manny Millan /Sports Illustrated/Getty Images)
(Set Number: X36631 )
1. 1987-88 Detroit Pistons; Pontiac Silverdome
Record & SRS: 54-28, 5.46 SRS
Playoffs: Lost the NBA Finals to the Los Angeles Lakers, 4-3
Win Shares Leader: Adrian Dantley (9.4)
The 1988 Detroit Pistons are the only team to close out their arena with a trip to the NBA Finals. That means the current Detroit Pistons team has a lot to live up to if they want to shut down the Palace of Auburn Hills the best possible way.
The Pistons were in the midst of building their championship core. The previous year’s core — which included Isiah Thomas, Bill Laimbeer, Joe Dumars, Dennis Rodman, and Adrian Dantley — accounted for 92 percent of the team’s total minutes.
Detroit’s path to the Finals wasn’t easy. The Washington Bullets took them to five games in the first round. They then defeated young Michael Jordan and the Bulls 4-1 in the conference semifinals.
The last hurdle to the Finals was the Boston Celtics, who defeated them in seven games in 1987. The Pistons were able to get revenge in 1988, beating Boston in six games.
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Detroit took on the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Finals. The series took all seven games, with the Pistons striking first with a Game 1 win.
Their final game in the Silverdome was Game 5. The Pistons got the win 104-94, taking the 3-2 series lead. The Lakers ended up taking the final two games of the series in Inglewood. Detroit lost Game 7 by only three points.
But this wasn’t the last of the Pistons in the NBA Finals. Detroit — now playing four miles north in Auburn Hills — returned to the Finals the following two seasons, winning back-to-back titles over the Lakers and Trail Blazers, respectively.
The Silverdome continued to be home of the NFL’s Detroit Lions through the 2001 season. When the Lions bolted for Ford Field downtown, the amount and prestige of events at the dome dropped drastically. It was closed in 2006 and sold in 2009 to a Greek-Canadian real estate developer.
The building was re-opened in 2010 and housed a few major events, but would shut back down in 2013. The Silverdome has fallen into disrepair and is awaiting demolition.
The chance of this year’s Pistons reaching the heights of the ’88 team are slim. But when a team is playing its final season in a longtime home, anything can happen.
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