The crowd NEEDS to bring it tonight.

[PierceMVP08]

we will bring it....we always do.

Yes. Absolutely yes.

We know our job. We are Celtics Nation. We are the unseen player on the bench. We are the home court advantage. We carry the torch-like Cigar of Red. We speak the gravelly Voice of Johnny. We are Reggie's heartbeat. We are "We love ya, Couse!" We are every player who ever wore the Green and White. We are the termites of the True Old Parquet. We are the acrid aroma of the old Garden's stairwells and catwalks. We are the twenty-first century spirit of the new Garden. We embody the legacy of 17 Championships. We have provided the deep foundation of the first and greatest true Dynasty in all of sports. We are The Garden, and we will not forget our duty.

We will be swarming the streets and pubs of the Bullfinch Triangle for hours before the game, and we will be well fueled. At game time, we will not need no stinking Jumbletroms. We don't need no stinking cheerleaders. Welcome to the Jungle. We know what to do, and we will do it. We are Celtics Nation, and we have a solemn duty.

(in our best "We Are Sparta" voice:)
WE ARE CELTICS NATION! WE ARE THE GARDEN! BRING ON THE BULLS.

This will be a game to tell our great-grandchildren about. I thought I was pumped for the victory game last year. And I was. But somehow, this is different. They need us more this year. They gave us glory last June. It's time to repay that debt.

Nice thought, but not true.  This used to be true but starting last year and so far in this series (except the end of game 5) the Garden crowd has been really weak.  Anyone who says otherwise never attended a celtics game when the crowd really made a difference or is just kidding themself.  I spent $200 for a corner balcony seat and I am hoping the crowd is like it was back in 2002.  Those crowds were great and deserving of Celtic legacy and to be called the jungle.  I hope we can have that back tomorrow and for the rest of the playoffs.

As a season ticketholder for 10 years, I agree and disagree. There definitely are more "pink hats" in the stands this year, but at many games, the crowd has been loud when needed. I can tell you, however, that I still have not heard the crowd match the level of intensity of the greatest comeback win in NBA playoff history.

TP for bringing that game up.  I was at the garden for that one and still have that ticket framed.  The crowd was incredibele that game.

The thing about what you said about the crowd, however, is that they are loud when needed.  That's all and good for LA maybe, but this is boston and Celtics basketball.  The place should be loud at ALL times.  This is playoff basketball and I want the fans to be jumping on EVERY bucket, and I don't want anybody telling me to sit down.  When you go to a playoff game, you should know what you're getting into.  If you saw any of game 5 in denver earlier this week, that was awesome.  That's what the Garden used to be like when it was truly the Garden.  If you all remember those years, the players used to talk about the fans in the post game all the time.  It's not a coincidence they don't do that anymore.

Now, it's not all the fan's fault.  The in game entertainment is terrible and drowns out the fans many times.

[newyorkceltics]

I wish I COULD represent the noise but I doubt any SINGLE person in the general public got their hands on the $19.50 tickets that were advertised as available at the Garden. Sadly, tickets for big sports events have become an insider trading event for Ticketmaster and Stubhub where regular fans have to pay $128.00 for balcony seats within five minutes of the $19.50 tickets being available because obviously those tickets get bought up by resellers. A few brave congressmen are trying to change this absolute SCAM so that the regular joe can actually buy a ticket or two at the ARENA advertised priced once it goes on sale, but we all know what Congress is capable of.

Speaking for 4 stranded Bostonians in New York City, the obvious hawking of Celtics playoff tickets selling for ten to twelve times face value is only a sad representation of how tickets are bought up and sold by the resellers so that real fans no longer get to bring the noise to the Garden.

[PierceMVP08]

I wish I COULD represent the noise but I doubt any SINGLE person in the general public got their hands on the $19.50 tickets that were advertised as available at the Garden. Sadly, tickets for big sports events have become an insider trading event for Ticketmaster and Stubhub where regular fans have to pay $128.00 for balcony seats within five minutes of the $19.50 tickets being available because obviously those tickets get bought up by resellers. A few brave congressmen are trying to change this absolute SCAM so that the regular joe can actually buy a ticket or two at the ARENA advertised priced once it goes on sale, but we all know what Congress is capable of.

Speaking for 4 stranded Bostonians in New York City, the obvious hawking of Celtics playoff tickets selling for ten to twelve times face value is only a sad representation of how tickets are bought up and sold by the resellers so that real fans no longer get to bring the noise to the Garden.

And that's my point.  The fans at these games are not the same fans that once used to be in the Garden.  It's really sad.

[Section301]

You can get the tickets at close to face by going to the Celtics ticket exchange.  They go fast, but they are available.  I know, 'cause I just had to post my tickets for the game (long story) and they were gone in a matter of minutes. 

On topic - yes, it is not as loud as 2002, or anywhere near as loud as the old Garden.  People haven't figured out how to exploit the building to make noise.  I was beating on my seat in the bleachers at game 2 of this series to make extra noise, and all the people around me looked at me like it was such a new and novel idea...none of them joined in, by the way.  I think that many people think of themselves as spectators, rather than as being a necessary part of the experience. 

And I STILL want the folks in the top level to start beating on that retaining rail the noise we could beat out of that thing, if only we'd try...it would be amazing - for the love of Mike & Tommy, people, make some serious noise....

[MrTripleDouble10]

Question for my fellow Celtics fans that attend lots of games:  Have you been to other arenas and experienced other teams' home crowds?  Trust me, even though our fans might not seem as loud, it really does put other places to shame.

I was in LA for Game 5 (when Kobe stole the ball from Pierce and dunked it to end it).  I felt like I was at a preseason game.  I've also been to Miami (when they were still champions) and that crowd cheered for one reason: Any semblance of a good Dwayne Wade play.

I also went to NY this season when the Celtics beat them the day after they lost to LA at home, and while I reluctantly admit that they were a good, loud crowd, they still weren't as good as Boston.  And I was sitting 4 rows from the court!

No doubt game 5 in 2002 was unreal, but keep in mind, that was a comeback for the ages.  I hope you also remember that for three quarters of that game the crowd was very quiet and anxious. 

As for tonight I'll be in my usual seats going as crazy as ever.  I have to admit there have been more "pink hats" but something tells me that tonight will be different.  Plus it's at NIGHT which is huge.

All I know is, I want to hear the "LET'S GO CELTICS" chant to overpower the jumbotron just before the game begins.

[albas89]

I'm from Greece, I live in Greece and I'm so fired up for this game... I really can't imagine how the crowd could be quiet tonight, it's one of the 3-4 games that we're waiting for all year long!! And, if you consider how insane this series is, there is no question... what I expect tonight is a crowd gone mad and choking the cocky Bulls! Anyway, when you see Noah playing against your team, there is no way you won't go mad...

[WeMadeIt17]

Seriously give those baby bulls all you can! Make them feel like idiots when the lose the ball even if there up 10 on us get in thier heads so we can do what we do best WIN ON THE BEST [dang] HOME COURT IN THE NBA!!!!!

[libermaniac]

No doubt game 5 in 2002 was unreal, but keep in mind, that was a comeback for the ages.  I hope you also remember that for three quarters of that game the crowd was very quiet and anxious. 

That was game 3.  C's went up 2-1 after that comeback and had a chance to go up 3-1 with game 4 at home, but lost the next 3.

[vinnie]

All season, my son and I have commented about the fact that there are different fans at every game and so many fans who pay no attention to the game. When these fans are there, the noise just does not cut it. So many fans just interested in dancing like morons and getting on the Jumbotron. And don't even get me started on the constant noise and in-game "entertainment." Bottom line is this, the Celts got popular really quickly and those who need to see and be seen make sure they get tickets.

Even at the first three playoff games, there have been tons of fans attending who don't have a clue. But, it is what it is and my son and I will be cheering as loudly as we can at tonight's game and will have a good time while ignoring those around us who are there for the event, not the game.

[Hoyo de Monterrey]

All season, my son and I have commented about the fact that there are different fans at every game and so many fans who pay no attention to the game. When these fans are there, the noise just does not cut it. So many fans just interested in dancing like morons and getting on the Jumbotron. And don't even get me started on the constant noise and in-game "entertainment." Bottom line is this, the Celts got popular really quickly and those who need to see and be seen make sure they get tickets.

Even at the first three playoff games, there have been tons of fans attending who don't have a clue. But, it is what it is and my son and I will be cheering as loudly as we can at tonight's game and will have a good time while ignoring those around us who are there for the event, not the game.

Give 'em hell for us... the real fans who have been priced out. Never enough real fans at playoff games. Good to know there are still those who can do it.

[vinnie]

All season, my son and I have commented about the fact that there are different fans at every game and so many fans who pay no attention to the game. When these fans are there, the noise just does not cut it. So many fans just interested in dancing like morons and getting on the Jumbotron. And don't even get me started on the constant noise and in-game "entertainment." Bottom line is this, the Celts got popular really quickly and those who need to see and be seen make sure they get tickets.

Even at the first three playoff games, there have been tons of fans attending who don't have a clue. But, it is what it is and my son and I will be cheering as loudly as we can at tonight's game and will have a good time while ignoring those around us who are there for the event, not the game.

Give 'em hell for us... the real fans who have been priced out. Never enough real fans at playoff games. Good to know there are still those who can do it.

Thankfully we have had half-season tickets for 10 years. So, while we had to live through several bad years, we have gotten to very much enjoy the good.

[MrTripleDouble10]

No doubt game 5 in 2002 was unreal, but keep in mind, that was a comeback for the ages.  I hope you also remember that for three quarters of that game the crowd was very quiet and anxious. 

That was game 3.  C's went up 2-1 after that comeback and had a chance to go up 3-1 with game 4 at home, but lost the next 3.

Ahh yes I stnd corrected.  It was early this am when I posted that!  Thanks though.

[xmuscularghandix]

I was at game 5 and it was the most intense sporting event i've EVER been to. but this game needs to be double. there needs to be a thrashing. Without KG we lose that "dump it in and go to work" post player, and Ray can't really create off the dribble, but we need to use Perk and we need to RUN at this young atheletic team as hard/often as we can. we can do this, and its not with Ray and Paul having 50 each, its with a team running its offense to perfection and not taking off possessions to milk the clock.

[JBcat]

No doubt game 5 in 2002 was unreal, but keep in mind, that was a comeback for the ages.  I hope you also remember that for three quarters of that game the crowd was very quiet and anxious. 

That was game 3.  C's went up 2-1 after that comeback and had a chance to go up 3-1 with game 4 at home, but lost the next 3.

I had playoff tickets for every game that year and I was talking with a buddy yesterday how loud those games were.  I also just found out a few hours ago I will be going to tonight's game which will be my first playoff game since 2002.   If the crowd doesn't bring it like it did back then I will be disappointed.   I was a kid during the 80s and those playoff games were insane to go to. 

[ACF]

Make sure this dude is there:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nCdAY-UEeM

...the rest will take care of itself!