Forum's slippery court could have lasting impact

The St. Pete Times Forum in downtown Tampa is largely known as a hockey arena, but many sports fans don't realize it was built for basketball, too. The 8-foot-high showerheads in locker rooms are one indication.

That's what makes the Oct. 22 cancellation of a National Basketball Association preseason game between the Orlando Magic and Miami Heat so frustrating to Forum personnel. A sellout crowd of 20,000 was anticipated for the game, which was to feature Heat superstar Lebron James, but the plug got pulled 30 minutes before tipoff because the floor was deemed too slick.

The culprit was an oil-based cleaning solvent on the wooden hoops court that combined with condensation from the Tampa Bay Lightning ice rink below. The floor had been stored since last spring, during which the Bolts changed ownership, and the Forum's new managers may not have known its condition prior to setting up for the NBA game.

Lingering effects of the slippery snafu may be felt for years to come. The Forum, which opened in 1996 as the Ice Palace, has successfully hosted college basketball tournaments during past Lightning seasons, but this incident could affect future bids. Also, any hope of the Tampa Bay area getting an NBA franchise someday probably just clanked off the rim.

At least it won't hurt the Forum's plans to host the 2012 Republican National Convention. That will be in the last week of August, well outside hockey season — but not rim shots.