The state-of-the-art Intuit Dome will immediately become the standard by which all future arenas will be judged.

INGLEWOOD, California. – The person responsible for the basketball grand opening of a showpiece arena grabbed the microphone before tipoff Wednesday and uttered words a 54-year-old NBA franchise had never heard before:

“Welcome home, Clipper Nation!” Steve Ballmer shouted.

Yes, and the only other shout that could cause more excitement and perhaps disbelief would be, “We are finally champions.”

Until that day arrives, the Clippers and their fans will happily accept this – a $2 billion gift from Ballmer in the form of an 18,000-seat arena called Intuit Dome, their own home, which will immediately become the standard that all future arenas must meet . meet if they dare.

Not many franchise owners have Ballmer’s money and probably don’t have his enthusiasm and vision either. To be clear, this is the Arena that Ballmer built and he hasn’t cut any corners.

The first NBA game at Intuit Dome was a huge success until the Clippers were routed 116-113 by the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday in front of a crowd that didn’t fill all the seats but held on to overtime.

Here are five takeaways from Dome Sweet Dome:

1. All good in Inglewood

When the franchise was known as the Buffalo Braves, it shared a home with the Sabers hockey team in the Aud (short for Auditorium), a rickety barn with character. The move to San Diego and name change from the Clippers came with an unlikely neighbor in the Sports Arena: the Sockers indoor soccer team.

Another step, a new co-tenant next: sharing the LA Sports Arena with the USC basketball teams. Then the Clippers finally upgraded their facilities with a move to downtown LA, but were third-class citizens to the Lakers and Kings at the Staples Center (now Crypto.com).

And now, here in Inglewood – coincidentally the former home of the Lakers – it’s all Clippers and Clippers only.

The Intuit Dome is the best in the league for obvious reasons: Ballmer, the richest NBA owner, has spared no expense. And it was built here in the age of technology, allowing the Clippers to take advantage of every megabit and chip known to man.

Aside from the number of bathrooms (three times the NBA average) and the ability for fans to purchase food and merchandise through an app and then take it with them (no lines), two features stand out. The overhead Halo scoreboard is dazzling: 360 degrees in rich 4K with four different replay angles. And the Wall, the 51-row fan section behind a basket that is entirely free of luxury suites, is designed to create a college feel.

THE WALL‼️ pic.twitter.com/p23jRmsxSR

— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) October 24, 2024

Most importantly, and probably best, is how the arena is set up solely for a basketball court. It gives the atmosphere of being on top of the action. With obstacle-free sightlines and rows with extra legroom, half of the Clippers’ problems are over. This arena is fan friendly.

2. Will fans actually be friendly?

Circle January 19. That’s the most important home date of the Clipper season, because you know who’s visiting for the first time.

If Laker fans get the seats for that game and take control of the building — a very real possibility — it won’t be a good prospect for the Clippers. And this is possible because (a) without Kawhi Leonard, the Clippers could fall in the standings indefinitely, and (b) they’re the Lakers.

There’s a bigger picture here: Can the Intuit Dome help attract free agents in the future? Maybe that’s too optimistic; players leave one team for another for money. Still, it doesn’t hurt, and neither does the adjacent practice facility, which is more eye candy for basketball facilities.

3. Speaking of Kawhi

Missing the season and arena opener was a setback for the franchise. It reaffirmed that his body is unreliable, and any team opening a billion-dollar arena wants as much star power as possible.

There were rows of empty seats Wednesday before tipoff, which leads to another problem: What if the Clippers struggle this season and next? What then?

Not only were the Clippers without Kawhi, but Paul George now plays for the 76ers. Those two would introduce a new direction for the franchise, but that was five years ago and, to use a Clipper phrase, that ship has sailed.

Your best player should also be your most reliable. Otherwise, what’s the point?

4. Harden has ‘his’ team again

It might be wishful thinking on the Clippers’ part to expect, or even beg the basketball gods, for James Harden to magically return to his days with the Rockets. He was a force of basketball character then, winning an MVP and racking up buckets like few in this game have ever managed.

However, time brings gravity, and the Earth called out for Harden, as everyone else does. He doesn’t drop 30 a night anymore, but he can throw a flashback every now and then and remains a very effective passer.

It’s a way of saying that without Kawhi, the Clippers could use whatever greatness Harden still has. Or at least an All-Star-like start to this season.

He was at times the most impactful player Wednesday on a floor he shared with Kevin Durant and Devin Booker. Harden (29 points) had two assists on a triple double, but also had eight turnovers and missed the second of two free throws with four seconds left in OT, which would have tied the game.

With George gone and Kawhi on the shelf, Harden finally has the ball and the green light all to himself. The last time that happened wasn’t in Brooklyn or Philadelphia. Can his time in Houston bring back some memories?

“For me, it’s about being able to play a role that is necessary to win,” Harden said of his current role. “Just playing basketball and feeling natural, whether I had to score at a high clip or make assists. I read what the defense gives me. So with this team it’s a bit of scoring and playing, which makes the boys’ job a lot easier.”

5. One star shy

The clear difference between the Suns and Clippers was shown in the moment of truth. When Devin Booker fouled out with just under two minutes left, Durant and Bradley Beal were on hand to save Phoenix.

When Harden drew extra defensive attention, which led to turnovers, the Clippers didn’t have many other options late in the game and OT.

For a late play in the fourth, Harden and Durant traded buckets to provide not only some drama, but a glimpse of what-ifs. Remember, they were once teammates in Brooklyn, but let’s just say things didn’t work out.

Either way, Harden knows what’s at stake for him and the Clippers until Kawhi returns.

“I have seen a lot of good things in our group and I think we can improve even further,” he said. “But I have to play much better.”

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Shaun Powell has covered the NBA for more than 25 years. You can email him herefind his archive here And follow him on X.

The views expressed on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the NBA, its clubs or Warner Bros. Discovery.