Here’s the Philadelphia Inquirer reporting on the 76ers:
The Sixers, the last NBA franchise left without its own practice facility, are looking at the Thunder and several other NBA franchises as they design their 120,000-square-foot practice facility and team headquarters in Camden. New Jersey awarded the franchise $82 million in tax credits over 10 years to build it on the waterfront.
None of this should be surprising if you think about what the Eagles have done with the NovaCare Complex. That’s the type of facility that most NBA teams have. Those days when Charles Barkley worked out at the St. Joseph’s Fieldhouse, sharing the place with the Hawks, are long gone.
In Oklahoma City, there are a heated lap pool, a car detailer, and a barber on site. Sure, they have a restaurant. Most of these places have cafeterias. But their goal is to have the best restaurant in Oklahoma City.
The idea is to make the practice facility a place that players will go to year-round. And if you can get a haircut just steps off the playing court, you’re more likely to step on that playing court. Or maybe get your leg iced while you’re getting your hair cut. Same for the restaurant. At the least, you get a nutritious meal. Best case, it gets you on the court or looking at film for a few extra minutes.
