This year, there are several cities that have a team in the NHL playoffs AND a team in the NBA playoffs.
New York Rangers and the New York Knicks (same building)
Philadelphia Flyers and the Philadelphia 76ers (same building)
Boston Bruins and the Boston Celtics (same building)
Chicago Blackhawks and the Chicago Bulls (same building)
Los Angeles Kings and the Los Angeles Lakers (same building)
Tampa Bay Lightning and the Orlando Magic (close enough)
What it means for these places is very special. In 2003, when the Devils and the Nets were both making impressive runs to the finals, I recall the entire state being excited and supportive. The Devil games seemed a lot more exciting as did the Net games. Especially the fans were more intense as well. It seemed that the teams were playing off of each other's success. It was as if they were siblings and they didn't want to disappoint the other by losing and getting knocked out.
Both teams made it to the finals. The Devils were in their 3rd Stanley Cup Finals round in 4 years. The Nets were making it for the first time in quite a while. The Devils were facing the Anaheim Mighty Ducks, a young team that surprisingly made it all the way. The Nets were faced off against the best team in the league in the San Antonio Spurs.
The Devils beat off the Mighty Ducks in 7 games but the Nets lost to the Spurs in 6. It was a bittersweet ending for all of New Jersey (I was happy though). It could have turned out better, but it also could have turned out worse. But for that month and a half, the Continental Airlines Arena was filled with excitement and determination from the fans and from the players.
In 1994, the Rangers and the Knicks won the Stanley Cup and made it to the finals. Now I wasn't alive then, but I've seen/was told by others how magical Maddison Square Garden was during their runs. The city of New York was united as they watched their team fight through the playoffs and win it all.
This year there are 6/16 possible places that could have this rarity. So keep your eye out on these teams in both sports as they look to unite their OWN cities and come back with a couple of more trophies.
New York Rangers and the New York Knicks (same building)
Philadelphia Flyers and the Philadelphia 76ers (same building)
Boston Bruins and the Boston Celtics (same building)
Chicago Blackhawks and the Chicago Bulls (same building)
Los Angeles Kings and the Los Angeles Lakers (same building)
Tampa Bay Lightning and the Orlando Magic (close enough)
What it means for these places is very special. In 2003, when the Devils and the Nets were both making impressive runs to the finals, I recall the entire state being excited and supportive. The Devil games seemed a lot more exciting as did the Net games. Especially the fans were more intense as well. It seemed that the teams were playing off of each other's success. It was as if they were siblings and they didn't want to disappoint the other by losing and getting knocked out.
Both teams made it to the finals. The Devils were in their 3rd Stanley Cup Finals round in 4 years. The Nets were making it for the first time in quite a while. The Devils were facing the Anaheim Mighty Ducks, a young team that surprisingly made it all the way. The Nets were faced off against the best team in the league in the San Antonio Spurs.
The Devils beat off the Mighty Ducks in 7 games but the Nets lost to the Spurs in 6. It was a bittersweet ending for all of New Jersey (I was happy though). It could have turned out better, but it also could have turned out worse. But for that month and a half, the Continental Airlines Arena was filled with excitement and determination from the fans and from the players.
In 1994, the Rangers and the Knicks won the Stanley Cup and made it to the finals. Now I wasn't alive then, but I've seen/was told by others how magical Maddison Square Garden was during their runs. The city of New York was united as they watched their team fight through the playoffs and win it all.
This year there are 6/16 possible places that could have this rarity. So keep your eye out on these teams in both sports as they look to unite their OWN cities and come back with a couple of more trophies.
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