Five years ago, what was then Continental Airlines Arena billed itself as the home of champions. The road to the O'Brien Trophy and the Stanley Cup went through Exit 16W. The Devils won that year and the smell of champagne was everywhere, just not in the Nets' locker room. Now, both teams have fallen on hard times and the arena is likely to be forgotten in another five years. Steve Politi remembers when.

• When paradise was 16W - Steve Politi - Star-Ledger