The following lists market reports from NBA cities
holding free scrimmages/practice sessions over the weekend:
ATLANTA: The Hawks held an open practice and autograph
session Saturday at Georgia Tech's McDonald's Arena in front
of about 2,000. The first 200 in the arena got to shoot free
throws with the players. Hawks Exec VP Lee Douglas said
fans showed up a half-hour before doors opened and deemed
the scrimmage a "success" (ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, 1/24).
CHARLOTTE: The Hornets had a crowd of 15,371 for their
scrimmage Saturday at the Charlotte Coliseum, many who
showed up to see free agent Percy "Master P" Miller. The
Hornets opened the gates 20 minutes earlier than they
planned "for the fear that some of the folks near the front
would get crushed." The team had originally expected a
crowd of about 8,000 (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 1/24).
CHICAGO: About 14,000 fans attended the Bulls' fan
appreciation scrimmage at the United Center on Friday night
(CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 1/23). About 17,000 showed up for
yesterday's Bulls-Pacers preseason game (SUN-TIMES, 1/25).
CLEVELAND: 5,897 people turned out at Gund Arena
Saturday night for the Cavs' free scrimmage and autograph
session (Cleveland PLAIN DEALER, 1/24).
DALLAS: Fans lined up outside Reunion Arena an hour
before the doors were scheduled to open for the Mavericks'
free scrimmage and autograph session Friday night. The
MORNING NEWS' Kevin Blackistone: "Somebody said nobody cared
about the NBA. Wrong" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 1/23).
DETROIT: Pistons officials reported that the team's
Wednesday exhibition game against the Cavaliers at the
Palace is already sold out (DETROIT NEWS, 1/24). The free
tickets were available Friday and were "snapped up" in less
than two hours (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 1/23).
DC: The POST's Richard Justice reports that more than
14,000 showed up Sunday for a free Wizards scrimmage, with
"all of them seemingly in a forgiving mood." Fans were
greeted by players, coaches and team execs at the arena, and
"gobbled up" the free tickets to the Wizards' preseason game
Saturday in 65 minutes. Wizards Owner Abe Pollin announced
his "10 Point Contract With The Fans" -- including no ticket
price increase for next season and over $1M in ticket
donations to the community (WASHINGTON POST, 1/25).
GOLDEN STATE: Free tickets to the Warriors' exhibition
game drew hundreds of people outside Oakland Coliseum Friday
night, as the 10,000 tickets given away were gone in 45
minutes, according to Bonita Brewer of the CONTRA COSTA
TIMES. Warriors execs said that they will also offer a $500
signing bonus to those who buy high-end season tickets,
which can be used towards ticket purchases or for parking,
concessions or merchandise (CONTRA COSTA TIMES, 1/23).
PHILADELPHIA: The DAILY NEWS' Phil Jasner reports that
76ers players Matt Geiger, Theo Ratliff, Tim Thomas, Anthony
Parker, Eric Snow and Allen Iverson distributed juice and
donuts and signed autographs for fans who waited in line
Friday night at the First Union Center for tickets to the
team's Wednesday scrimmage or Friday preseason game
(PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS, 1/25). Team execs said the 12,000
available seats for the practice and the game were gone in
45 minutes, as 1,500 people waited in line (AP, 1/24).
