The Scene Surrounding The 2012 NBA Finals (OKC Edition)
Tuesday night, the Oklahoma City Thunder host the Miami Heat in Game 1 of the 2012 NBA Finals. OKC will be the setting for Games 1 and 2 (played Tuesday and Thursday night), as well as possible Games 6 and 7 (scheduled for June 24 and June 26 respectively).
iFolloSports.com is the fan's source for the scene surrounding the Finals, during both the Oklahoma and South Florida portions of the series.
Below is a look at the best places to see and be seen, as the NBA world descends upon the Sooner State.
100 West Reno Avenue, downtown Oklahoma City
The Thunder's home arena is situated in the heart of OKC, directly across the street from the Cox Convention Center and three blocks west of the Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark (home to the Oklahoma City RedHawks, Houston Astros Triple-A affiliate).
The Heat will be conducting all of their OKC based practices inside the arena, with the Thunder splitting time between the downtown venue and the team's state-of-the-art practice facility.
The INTEGRIS Health Thunder Development Center is located at 9600 N. Oklahoma Avenue, eight miles straight north of the Chesapeake Energy Arena.
The Skirvin Hilton Oklahoma City
One Park Avenue, downtown Oklahoma City
Located 0.5 miles north of the Chesapeake Energy Arena, this century-old property serves as the Heat's lodging destination of choice, during their extended stay in OKC.
1 N. Broadway Avenue, downtown Oklahoma City
Renaissance Oklahoma City Convention Center Hotel
10 N. Broadway Avenue, downtown Oklahoma City
These neighboring hotels, situated between the arena and Skirvin Hilton, are the bases of operation for league officials, as well as visiting members of the media from around the world.
Other Places To Encounter Sports & Entertainment Figures In OKC
OKC's center of dining, nightlife and entertainment is located immediately east of the Chesapeake Energy Arena. The historic district will be bustling with activity throughout the OKC portion of the Finals.
#7 Mickey Mantle Drive, Bricktown district
Located 0.5 miles northeast of the Chesapeake Energy Arena, the Bricktown staple will be among the best places to encounter the bevy of prominent figures spending time in the city. Named after the Oklahoma native/Yankee legend, Mickey Mantle's Steakhouse always finds itself on the very top of OKC's list of best and most highly regarded eating establishments.
Thunder stars Kevin Durant and James Harden were spotted at the restaurant shortly after the team's series clinching victory versus the San Antonio Spurs.
1309 S. Agnew Avenue, Stockyard City district
The Oklahoma City institution, opened all the way back in 1910, will be jam packed throughout the NBA world's temporary occupancy of the city. Situated two miles southwest of the Chesapeake Energy Arena (opposite direction of Bricktown), Cattlemen's will be adding photos to their impressive Wall of Fame, which already includes Boston Celtics icon Bill Russell, as well as Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush.
NBA legend/TNT broadcaster Charles Barkley stopped through during the network's Western Conference Finals coverage. This scene is currently featured on the restaurant's website.
