The 5 most atmospheric basketball arenas in the NBA

5. Chesapeake Energy Arena, Oklahoma City Thunder

A general view of Chesapeake Energy Arena at night. (Getty Images)

The state of Oklahoma has two renowned collegiate sports teams: the Oklahoma Sooners and the Oklahoma State Cowboys. For years, the state couldn’t boast a professional sports team. Now, there is another story. The Sonics from Seattle moved to Oklahoma and the talent this franchise now boasts includes Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and Serge Ibaka.

When any team goes to Oklahoma to play the Thunder, they better get their ear plugs on in the 4^th quarter when ear deafening chants of “OKC” or “Kay-DEEEEEEEE!” go wild. If OKC do show up in the NBA Finals once again, it will be thanks to a resurgent Durant but also in huge favour to their fans screaming in unison. No professional team gets this much undivided attention from an entire city like they do.

4. Oracle Arena, Golden State Warriors

A general view during a Golden State Warriors game at Oracle Arena. (Getty Images)

Not many hear a whole lot about the Oracle. Till the team landed Stephen Curry in 2009, Golden State was a shadowy basketball environment in terms of talent. But never in terms of loyal fan bases. Two years ago, the Warriors weren’t in contention for the playoffs yet the fans showed up in high numbers. Today, the team is threatening to knock the Thunder and the Spurs off their perch.

The oldest arena in the NBA has the some of the best fans to host; for this town has never seen this much spotlight since the Oakland Raiders swept the Super Bowl in the early 80s. If any team shows up at the Oracle Arena expecting a vacation, they better get their heads straight. The Warriors have a resounding David Lee, an impeccable Steph Curry and an invincible fan base at the Oracle.

3. TD Garden, Boston Celtics

A general view of the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. (Getty Images)

The city of Boston has a wealth of sporting heritage to brag about. The Bruins are Stanley Cup playoff perennials, the Patriots are supreme conference powerhouses in American Football, the Red Sox are lodging a comeback trail to dominance and the Celtics are the most decorated franchise in NBA history. A team that shows up at the Garden doesn’t just match up against the likes of Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Rajon Rondo. The opposition is ravelled by a city proud of its sporting heritage – certainly proud of the prestige the Celtics have garnered.

In 2008, when the Celtics won a championship after nearly three decades, the games at the Garden proved immeasurably decisive. The Celtics lost almost every away game and relied on their fan base at the Garden to help them break the championship drought. Imagine this: KG’s motivation, Pierce’s clutch factor and Rondo’s versatility, now feed that off a rousing crowd at the TD Garden – not many teams can match up here.

2. The Madison Square Garden, New York Knicks

A general view of Madison Square Garden prior to the start of a pre-season game. (Getty Images)

The Yankees are the most revered in the city of New York but even a baseball faithful would admit the Madison Square Garden is the city’s biggest sporting asset. The MSG isn’t named “The Mecca of Basketball” for nothing. Spike Lee and other Knicks faithful show up in high numbers cheering the Knicks till the last whistle. Legends are made at this arena and careers are defined. The rafters at MSG don’t boast as many championships as the Celtics or the LA Lakers but there is a guarantee of competition.

If Carmelo Anthony is one of most clutch players in the NBA, he sure would not be in contention hadn’t it been for the pumping reception he receives for each of his shots. Yankees are the city’s venerated but deep down, an everyday New Yorker knows where to go for a full sporting experience. For at the MSG is present the aura of a true sporting coliseum.

1. The United Center, Chicago Bulls

A general view of the United Center before the start of a game. (Getty Images)

Before you read any further, watch this video to see why everyone outside the Windy City fears playing at the United Center:

In the 2000′s, the Bulls fans outnumbered any other franchise in attendance and in 2013; they are the top once again. Michael Jordan built this franchise through his 6 championship wins but today, Derrick Rose and co. run it. The 2000′s saw a drought in playoff runs yet, the fans didn’t fail to show up. When D-Rose hurt his knee in early 2012, hopes were lost – anywhere but Chicago. The fans still flocked at the United Center to cheer their team that bagged the number 1 seed in the East in 2012.

“The Madhouse on Madison” hosts the loudest, most enthusiastic and most dedicated basketball fans in the country. While a title run is eminent, just to imagine what the atmosphere would be like to relive the glories of the 90′s seems so daunting for any team to face up against the Bulls.