I visited Washington, DC for the 1999 NBA Draft two years after the MCI Center first opened in 1997. The building was so impressive in its newness, but also in design. In the middle of DC's rapidly shrinking Chinatown, signage on one side of the building called out the MCI Center in Chinese. Pretty cool.
Inside, more to be impressed by. Sponsored and retail areas were as subtle as sporting arenas get and the food/concessions reflected the neighborhood and the times.
But locals I spoke with pointed out that "no one goes to Bullets games." Excellent example of local disinterest using the team's old name.
How things changed when a certain worldwide superstar decided to un-retire! Lucky me... Because of my career, I've had the chance to see MJ play at least 10-12 times in the last five months. The highlight, without a doubt, was seeing him score 51 points against the Hornets on 12/29. I was able to take my parents to that game. It was the first time they'd ever seen him play live and it was a spectacle they'll never forget. Nor will I.
No matter if the Wizards make the playoffs or not, I'll always be glad for his efforts as a Wizard. It has been so fun to watch basketball in DC this year. I'll keep going and I hope other people will too.
Take the Metro to Gallery Place/Chinatown. Plenty of good restaurants and bars around for before or after the game. My favorites include Jaleo, Legal Sea Foods and Angelo & Maxie's.