Staples Center noted as one of the NBA’s best arenas

Staples Center, home of the Lakers and Clippers, was featured in the November issue of Stadium Journey Magazine as one of the NBA’s best arenas.

With profiles on the Toyota Center (Houston Rockets), The Palace (Detroit Pistons) and Barclays Center (Brooklyn Nets), Staples is singled out for improvements made over the off-season.

First and foremost, Stadium Journey notes the inherent upgrade the Lakers’ acquisitions of Steve Nash and Dwight Howard will be for Staples Center (although that has yet to bear fruit for the team with Nash’s leg injury)

The magazine also notes the collection of statues in Star Plaza, including the recent addition of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, urging fans to arrive to games early to “marvel” before tipoff.

Credit is given to the Lakers’ roommates, the Clippers, who boast stars Chris Paul and Blake Griffin.

Stadium Journey also calls L.A. Live “one of the best” neighborhoods surrounding an arena.

Unfortunately there’s less of an emphasis on the Kings, with the NHL currently embroiled in a lengthy lockout.

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Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.