My First NBA Game

Since I was little boy in Uruguay, I always went to watch basketball games with my family on a court that was really beat up. But when I moved to the US, I always dreamed of going to an NBA game. And during the 04-05 season, my dream came true. First, I had moved to Orlando. I had to go through the 19 game losing streak to start the season while following the Magic. I wasnt much of a fan, but I folowed them.

But then I moved to Miami. A week after I move, the Heat trade for Shaquille O'neal. Dwyane Wade had just had an amazing season, so I was really pumped up. The season started, and I started to become a die hard fan. I read about American Airlines Arena a lot. I knew that place like the palm of my hand before even visiting it. And in December, my cousins come to visit my family. They want to go to an NBA game.

They choose February 16th, 2005 against the Clippers. We buy tickets. Pick up my dad from work, and take I-95 down to Downtown Miami. I had my Heat jersey, cap, and other gear on. We park at a garage nearby the AAA, and start walking, and thats when it all started. You could already feel the NBA atmosphere. People screaming, cheering, and trash talking. Scalpers trying to sell tickets, and other stuff I cant remember. Then, were inside the arena. We get our gameday magazile and wait paitently in our 400 level seats. We didnt have to wait that long but it seemed forever. It was really 2 minutes. Shaq wins the tipoff, and the Heat were on their way.

The game was never really a game. The Heat jumped up to an early lead and never looked back. But it still was an unforgettable day. I lost my voice, and I got sick(it happens always after I go to a sporting event except the Florida Panthers Hockey Team for some reason). One month later, my dad opened up a Bank United checking account, and we got 2 free tickets to the first Shaq vs Kobe matchup in Miami for free. My friend came and his dad bought similar seats for $75 each for some reason. So we went again. But the first game, is the first game, and I will never forget that day. So lets go Heat!