NBA
How will Mexico City’s altitude affect the Magic and the Hawks?
Trae Young, Paolo Banchero and Patty Mills gave their thoughts on playing at 2,240 meters above sea level.
The NBA will play its 32nd game in Mexican territory later today with the Atlanta Hawks and the Orlando Magic facing off at Arena CDMX in Mexico City. One factor that has been a constant in each of the visits paid by NBA teams over the years is playing at altitude.
The Mexican capital is 2,240 meters above sea level and that makes it, by far, the highest altitude city in which NBA games are played - way beyond the highest cities in the US: Denver, Colorado (1,609 m) and Salt Lake City, Utah (1,300 m).
Trae Young, acclimatized
Hawks star Trae Young assured that he has not been affected by the altitude in Mexico City. However, some of his team mates have noticved the difference. The point guard explained that in the United States, the most complicated cities to play due to altitude are Denver and Salt Lake City.
“I know that some colleagues have suffered the difference in altitude, I haven’t yet,” Young said. “I heard it’s worse than Denver and Denver is a tough place to play, as is Utah. It will be something different for us tomorrow.”
No issues for Paolo Banchero
For Paolo Banchero, the current rookie of the year, the altitude is not a problem. He says that after the first 15 minutes of physical activity you get used to it.
“I don’t think the altitude is a big problem, I think in practice, during the first 10-15 minutes it is a little hard, but once you put your feet on the ground and get used to it you are fine,” he assured.
Patty Mills’ previous visits to Mexico City
Patty Mills is one of the players who has played in Mexican territory the most times - visiting twice as a player with the San Antonio Spurs. He was also due to play there in 2013 but the game was canceled due to a fire at the Mexico City Arena. With his experience of playing in Mexico’s thin air, the Australian considers that the altitude does affect some players.
“I think coming to Mexico City and playing at an altitude like this for most of the guys who haven’t played here is a variation in their game,” Mills explained. “The altitude is something they were not used to. Before filling their lungs they feel like they are out of breath and they are panting.”