Madison Square Garden was rated the top NBA arena by the ORLANDO SENTINEL's Josh Robbins, who "took into account an arena's location, the atmosphere created by the home team's fans, the aesthetics of the exterior, the aesthetics of the interior, its fan-friendliness and its place in the game's history." The list of the top 10 arenas is "wildly subjective," but Robbins noted he hopes it "will spark some serious debate" (ORLANDOSENTINEL.com, 8/26).
| RK | VENUE | POSITIVES | NEGATIVES |
| 1 | Madison Square Garden | The suspended ceiling arguably is the most distinctive architectural element at any NBA arena. | This is a dingy arena. |
| 2 | Conseco Fieldhouse | Evokes Indiana's rich basketball past. ... Aesthetically, this arena surpasses all the rest in the league. | The scoreboard's video display simply is nowhere near as good as the majority of arenas. |
| 3 | Staples Center | The scoreboard is among league's best. Underneath, it includes a section that makes it easy for fans sitting courtside to see replays. | There's a far better atmosphere for Lakers games than for Clippers games. |
| 4 | American Airlines Center | The high-definition scoreboard is crystal clear, and the arena's sound system is top-notch. | The sound system booms out the sound when a basketball clangs off the rim on a shot or swishes through the hoop on a free throw. |
| 5 | Amway Center | Amway Center arguably boasts the best interior of any NBA arena. The sightlines are top-notch. | The building's exterior is a disappointment on three of its four sides. |
| 6 | Chesapeake Energy Arena | The Thunder have perhaps the best fans in the league, and their enthusiasm makes this building one of the NBA's top venues. | This arena would be much higher on the list if its exterior wasn't one of the most dull exteriors in the league. It's as unimaginative as it gets. |
| 7 | FedExForum | This building oozes all things Memphis. Accents throughout the building draw on the city's rich musical roots. | The Grizzlies still struggle to draw fans. |
| 8 | Rose Garden | Luxury suites between the lower and upper decks are higher off the court than in many of the newer arenas. | It would be better if the arena was located downtown. |
| 9 | United Center | There are tons of premium seats and lots of amenities. | The building isn't particularly attractive on the outside. |
| 10 | Palace of Auburn Hills | The Palace is now one of the NBA's oldest venues, but it has aged well. | The Palace pretty much is in the middle of nowhere. |
