SALT LAKE CITY -- Earl Watson loves the idea of playing in famous basketball arenas.
Good thing, because Watson and his Utah Jazz teammates are going to visit one tonight when they face the New York Knicks at the place known as "The World's Most Famous Arena."
Also known as Madison Square Garden.
"I love Madison Square Garden," Watson said Sunday. "I love legendary basketball venues."
Watson, 32, is something of a hoop historian who takes pride in not only visiting, but playing in, famed arenas.
"I wish I could have played in the old Forum in L.A.," he said. "As a kid you grow up watching games and you envision yourself playing there one day. When you actually get to play there it's like part of your dream coming true."
Watson grew up in Kansas City, Kansas, but went to UCLA, partly so he could play at famed Pauley Pavilion and partly to be near legendary coach John Wooden.
"It wasn't even a debate," he said. "Just the chance to be in his presence, a chance to get to meet him and sit behind the bench ever game and talk to our team."
Watson said he visited with with Wooden at his modest two-bedroom condominium in Encino, Calif., where the two talked about basketball philosophy, life and literature.
"He's an amazing man," Watson said.
Wooden, who won 10 NCAA championships, including seven in a row, died on June 4, 2010 at the age of 99.
"I wouldn't trade anything for those opportunities (at UCLA)," Watson said.
Watson isn't the only player on the Jazz roster to appreciate basketball history and historical venues.
Teammate Gordon Hayward grew up in Indiana and played college ball at Butler University.
The Bulldogs' arena, Hinkle Fieldhouse, where the movie "Hoosiers" was filmed.
The idea of playing at Madison Square Garden.
"It's cool any time you get a chance to play there," he said. "There's just an element that the atmosphere has unlike any other. Whether you play there in college or in the NBA, it's always fun."
Utah coach Tyrone Corbin played at The Garden and got to coach there for the first time last March, when the Jazz were blown out 131-109.
"The buzz about Madison Square Garden is always going to be there," he said. "It's just such a historic place, so many Hall of Famers have played in the building. There's so much excitement about being in New York. If you can't get excited about playing in Madison Square Garden, you can't be an athlete."
The Jazz (13-9) ended a two-game losing streak when they beat the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday. Now they're off to the Eastern Time Zone for a game with the Knicks (9-15) tonight and the Indiana Pacers (16-7) on Wednesday.
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