Steve's Thunder Travels: Beat The Cold Weather

<p>Our Thunder reporter Steve McGehee blogs about how he beat the cold weather on recent trips to Detroit and Philadelphia.&nbsp;</p>

Wednesday, November 16th 2016, 5:47 pm

By: News 9


The weather is one of the biggest challenges when you chase around an NBA team. Anytime you can get in and out of a potential cold climate region without a hitch, that's a win-win. 

Related: Thunder Social Scene: Steve's In Detroit For Pistons Matchup

Philadelphia and Detroit are off the travel list, a loud clap from this guy. The NBA scheduled both cities early in the season for the Thunder, so no worries about snow and ice. Detroit is easily the toughest travel spot, I can't imagine trying to get to the Palace of Auburn Hills during a snow storm, ice, etc..

For the second year in a row I stayed by the airport in Detroit. A stress free location on arrival and departure, but the stress increases when you're heading to the game. The arena is not downtown, the Palace is about an hour away from the airport, that includes the standard traffic. 

I made it this time with plenty of time to spare, last year? I barely made it for my 5 o'clock live report. I remembered the rushed-panic feeling from last season, I wasn't going to let that happen again.  Going to the NBA arenas for a second-time around is extremely helpful.

The next time Oklahoma City plays in the Motor City, it maybe in downtown Detroit, another loud clap from this guy. The Red Wings are moving into a new arena and the Pistons are considering joining them. I was told about $40 million was put into the Palace last season for updates. The scoreboard hovering over the court is impressive, a mini-version of the one at Jerry World. The arena is in good shape, the visiting locker room is easily the smallest in the league, but everything else is above average in my eyes.  The Palace may collect dust, if the Pistons move.  Hopefully, it avoids the slow death which is occurring now with the Pontiac Silver Dome, the former home of the Lions.

Back to the traveling part, I worry about Denver coming up, somehow I danced around the snow last season in the Rockies. I've already been delayed in Denver one hour this season, a return trip is next week, on the day after Thanksgiving. I hear flying over the Holiday season can be rough. If you don't know me well, that's my standard sarcasm.

logo

Get The Daily Update!

Be among the first to get breaking news, weather, and general news updates from News on 6 delivered right to your inbox!

More Like This

November 16th, 2016

March 14th, 2024

December 4th, 2023

September 25th, 2023

Top Headlines

March 29th, 2024

March 28th, 2024

March 28th, 2024

March 28th, 2024