It's time for the Garden to step up

[Fafnir]

Bring back the "lux aeterna" pre-game music that they ditched after the championship year.

And bring back the fireworks. It was cool to see the smoky arena. Just made the game feel huge.

I think the league killed that.

[PierceMVP08]

Disagree with you that the 03 playoff crowds were better. I was there for the big 3 era and the Nets comeback era and I'd say they are on the same level.

I think it has been dead for the past few regular seasons. But the playoffs are a different animal and the crowds are awesome. The Networks could be drowning out the sounds more.

I disagree with you completely.  I was at game 7 of the bulls series last year, game 5 of the cavs series a couple of years ago and a couple of the hawks games, never were the crowds frenzied.  Back in 02 and 2003 i left the games with my ears ringing.  There is no comparison between the two. 

It doesn't matter if the networks drown out the noise because I've been there in person.

Guess it depends on the games because I had a raging headache after that Bulls Game 2 last year until the next day. Also got to go to 2 Finals games and those crowds were absolutely frenzied as well.

The only games that i thought the fans were great were the finals.  I got to go to game 1 and 6 and that was absolutely fantastic.  It's just a shame the crowds are weak in the rest of the way.  If you watch that philly clip i put up, that was in the first round! 

Now, you'll also notice there wasn't music blaring drowing out the crowd noise, so i think the two go hand in hand.... I guess this shouldnt bother me as much, but the crowd is such a huge part of the moment for me

[Donoghus]

Disagree with you that the 03 playoff crowds were better. I was there for the big 3 era and the Nets comeback era and I'd say they are on the same level.

I think it has been dead for the past few regular seasons. But the playoffs are a different animal and the crowds are awesome. The Networks could be drowning out the sounds more.

I disagree with you completely.  I was at game 7 of the bulls series last year, game 5 of the cavs series a couple of years ago and a couple of the hawks games, never were the crowds frenzied.  Back in 02 and 2003 i left the games with my ears ringing.  There is no comparison between the two. 

It doesn't matter if the networks drown out the noise because I've been there in person.

Guess it depends on the games because I had a raging headache after that Bulls Game 2 last year until the next day. Also got to go to 2 Finals games and those crowds were absolutely frenzied as well.

The only games that i thought the fans were great were the finals.  I got to go to game 1 and 6 and that was absolutely fantastic.  It's just a shame the crowds are weak in the rest of the way.  If you watch that philly clip i put up, that was in the first round! 

Now, you'll also notice there wasn't music blaring drowing out the crowd noise, so i think the two go hand in hand.... I guess this shouldnt bother me as much, but the crowd is such a huge part of the moment for me

The 4th quarter of Game 7 of the Cavs-Celtics series that year was pretty wild and nervewrecking. 

To be honest, imo, that might have been the best crowd of that '08 playoff run.  Game 6 of the Finals was very solid too.

[jdpapa3]

Bring back the "lux aeterna" pre-game music that they ditched after the championship year.

And bring back the fireworks. It was cool to see the smoky arena. Just made the game feel huge.

I think the league killed that.

Yea, they did. I blame it on the Hornets. They had an incident in the playoffs where the hoop of fire that the mascot jumps through could not be put out and delayed the game for about a half hour.

[PierceMVP08]

Bring back the "lux aeterna" pre-game music that they ditched after the championship year.

And bring back the fireworks. It was cool to see the smoky arena. Just made the game feel huge.

I think the league killed that.

Yea, they did. I blame it on the Hornets. They had an incident in the playoffs where the hoop of fire that the mascot jumps through could not be put out and delayed the game for about a half hour.

Yeah i definitely enjoyed the smokey look but its unfortunate that they took that away.  If I'm not mistaken there were also players that had allergic reactions to it, namely Delonte West in the Cavs series. 

I'm just ready for a game were the "lets go celtics" chant start before the game, the crowd is going crazy at the tip and are just going crazy throughout.  How about actually using those rally towels, too?  lol.  Too many people just sit on their hands during the games and casually clap at made baskets.

[Donoghus]

To me, there is a discernible difference between the crowds of the New Three era and the Toine/Pierce era.

Since Day One of the New Three era, there have been extremely high expectations and a sense of being championship caliber.  It because extremely chic to go to a Celtics game and be wrapped up in the scene.  I'm not going to go as far as label it as the "wine & cheese" crowd like Shaughnessy used to label the late Bird era crowds but its been something to that effect.

There was a difference back in '02 and '03.  The Celtics hadn't been to the playoffs since moving into the New Garden and expectations weren't very high for the Celtics.  The diehards still managed to come out in force but the Celtics hadn't drawn back in the "casual fan" yet.  The Celtics were pretty far down the food chain.  Boston was Patriots and then wait for Sox spring training. 

The expectations weren't extremely high for the Celtics going into those '02 playoffs.  I was a college student at the time and a buddy and I went in on the strip figuring we'd finally be able to see some playoff basketball and maybe make it to the 2nd round.  That was about it.  We had no idea what run would ensue and many fans were the same way. 

There were some incredible crowds at those games.  Many of the tickets were reasonable and fairly easy to come by.  Many of the diehards came out in force.  This created some incredible crowds.  Game 1 of that Sixers series was surreal.  First playoff game in Boston in 7 years.  Game 5, which I didn't attend because of final exams, was another phenomenal one.  To this day, I have never seen a crowd or scene like Game 3 of the '02 ECF Finals against the Nets.  This includes the Cavs series, the '08 Finals, the Bulls games of last year, and the Orlando comeback game. 

There's a difference and I'm not meaning to slight the crowds of today (or at least up through last year's Orlando series). 

[PierceMVP08]

To me, there is a discernible difference between the crowds of the New Three era and the Toine/Pierce era.

Since Day One of the New Three era, there have been extremely high expectations and a sense of being championship caliber.  It because extremely chic to go to a Celtics game and be wrapped up in the scene.  I'm not going to go as far as label it as the "wine & cheese" crowd like Shaughnessy used to label the late Bird era crowds but its been something to that effect.

There was a difference back in '02 and '03.  The Celtics hadn't been to the playoffs since moving into the New Garden and expectations weren't very high for the Celtics.  The diehards still managed to come out in force but the Celtics hadn't drawn back in the "casual fan" yet.  The Celtics were pretty far down the food chain.  Boston was Patriots and then wait for Sox spring training. 

The expectations weren't extremely high for the Celtics going into those '02 playoffs.  I was a college student at the time and a buddy and I went in on the strip figuring we'd finally be able to see some playoff basketball and maybe make it to the 2nd round.  That was about it.  We had no idea what run would ensue and many fans were the same way. 

There were some incredible crowds at those games.  Many of the tickets were reasonable and fairly easy to come by.  Many of the diehards came out in force.  This created some incredible crowds.  Game 1 of that Sixers series was surreal.  First playoff game in Boston in 7 years.  Game 5, which I didn't attend because of final exams, was another phenomenal one.  To this day, I have never seen a crowd or scene like Game 3 of the '02 ECF Finals against the Nets.  This includes the Cavs series, the '08 Finals, the Bulls games of last year, and the Orlando comeback game. 

There's a difference and I'm not meaning to slight the crowds of today (or at least up through last year's Orlando series). 

Absolut TP on that one.  I agree completely with you.  I was at game 1 of that philly series as a 15 year old and I fell in love with the atmosphere maybe more than anything.  I had never experience anything like that in my life.  I rewatched those games over and over again.  Just the passion that overflowed from those crowds made it seem like life or death.  Clearly basketball isn' that but to leave reality and go into that world for a couple of hours was amazing. 

Funny that while on this topic on here, I was also reading simmon's article on ESPN, here's what he had to say:

(Best NBA crowd rankings for 2009-10: 1. Portland; 2. Utah; 3. Golden State; 4. New York ... then a big dropoff to the next group of cities. Biggest dropoff: Boston, a team that won 50 games but had a better road record than home record. In the defense of Boston fans, they spent the first half of the season waiting for KG to stop limping, then the second half arguing about who should charge the court, pull a Shane Stant on Rasheed and serve the mandatory prison sentence. They were distracted.)

Yes, he's talking about regular season, but there is no reason to think this will change.  Just as our crowds will ratchet it up, so will portland and utah.  We'll still probably be at the bottom, where as in 2002 and 2003 we probably had the best crowds along with Sacramento.

[Donoghus]

I failed to mention it in my previous post but I also went in on the strip in '03 and that Pacers series had some amazing crowds also. 

The Pierce/Artest faceoff while time was winding down in either Game 3 or 4 (can't remember) had that crowd in an absolute frenzy. 

The Jermaine O'Neal countdowns were also darn entertaining.

[PierceMVP08]

I failed to mention it in my previous post but I also went in on the strip in '03 and that Pacers series had some amazing crowds also. 

The Pierce/Artest faceoff while time was winding down in either Game 3 or 4 (can't remember) had that crowd in an absolute frenzy. 

The Jermaine O'Neal countdowns were also darn entertaining.

Ha i had that same strip actually went to those games alone because no one else i knew was willing to throw down nearly 400 bucks for tickets.  I remember that O'neal chants and Pierce vs Artest.  I still remember when Artest got ejected from game 6 and the place just went crazy.  Also, Pierce's buzzer beating three in the third quarter over Al Harrington.  Harrington even admitted he fouled pierce on that play.  The place went crazy!!!


[dang]! I'm way too pumped for the playoffs to start!!!

[Rondo_is_better]

Disagree with you that the 03 playoff crowds were better. I was there for the big 3 era and the Nets comeback era and I'd say they are on the same level.

I think it has been dead for the past few regular seasons. But the playoffs are a different animal and the crowds are awesome. The Networks could be drowning out the sounds more.

I disagree with you completely.  I was at game 7 of the bulls series last year, game 5 of the cavs series a couple of years ago and a couple of the hawks games, never were the crowds frenzied.  Back in 02 and 2003 i left the games with my ears ringing.  There is no comparison between the two. 

It doesn't matter if the networks drown out the noise because I've been there in person.

Guess it depends on the games because I had a raging headache after that Bulls Game 2 last year until the next day. Also got to go to 2 Finals games and those crowds were absolutely frenzied as well.

The only games that i thought the fans were great were the finals.  I got to go to game 1 and 6 and that was absolutely fantastic.  It's just a shame the crowds are weak in the rest of the way.  If you watch that philly clip i put up, that was in the first round! 

Now, you'll also notice there wasn't music blaring drowing out the crowd noise, so i think the two go hand in hand.... I guess this shouldnt bother me as much, but the crowd is such a huge part of the moment for me

The 4th quarter of Game 7 of the Cavs-Celtics series that year was pretty wild and nervewrecking. 

To be honest, imo, that might have been the best crowd of that '08 playoff run.  Game 6 of the Finals was very solid too.

I was at that game seven -- I had great tickets for 2008. Game 7 of the Hawks Series, Game 7 of the Cavs series, game 1 of the finals are the game I remember best.

[Meadowlark_Scal]

Part of the reason the crowd is weak is because a lot of them are corporate seats with tofu and sushi people in there, showing that "they" have the seats...the seats are very expensive, and that excludes a lot of the real people...Real fans know they make the difference, REAL fans don't get quiet and shrink when the other teams get going, that is when we start the wave, the stomp, start the D-FENCE chant and ....like Cedric Maxwell, WE put the HOME team on OUR back..and like a true friend WE CARRY them until they can do for themselves..THAT is the obligation for filling your rear in that seat..and you don't quit chanting for them until your voice is done, you're not there to be "entertained" You are there because YOU are a part of it, so LIVE it, let 'em know you are there for them, and when they hear it, they will reach down inside and find their guts, and play them out for you...!

[colincb]

Part of the reason the crowd is weak is because a lot of them are corporate seats with tofu and sushi people in there, showing that "they" have the seats...the seats are very expensive, and that excludes a lot of the real people...Real fans know they make the difference, REAL fans don't get quiet and shrink when the other teams get going, that is when we start the wave, the stomp, start the D-FENCE chant and ....like Cedric Maxwell, WE put the HOME team on OUR back..and like a true friend WE CARRY them until they can do for themselves..THAT is the obligation for filling your rear in that seat..and you don't quit chanting for them until your voice is done, you're not there to be "entertained" You are there because YOU are a part of it, so LIVE it, let 'em know you are there for them, and when they hear it, they will reach down inside and find their guts, and play them out for you...!

TP and Amen

[xmuscularghandix]

Playoff games should be filled with fans that are gonna make noise, not celebrities who are there for photo ops, or bandwagon fans with their kids.

[makaveli]

Yeah but players have to give them something to cheer about, so Paul and Rondo will have to put this team on their back night in night out

[Hila]

Disagree with you that the 03 playoff crowds were better. I was there for the big 3 era and the Nets comeback era and I'd say they are on the same level.

I think it has been dead for the past few regular seasons. But the playoffs are a different animal and the crowds are awesome. The Networks could be drowning out the sounds more.

I disagree with you completely.  I was at game 7 of the bulls series last year, game 5 of the cavs series a couple of years ago and a couple of the hawks games, never were the crowds frenzied.  Back in 02 and 2003 i left the games with my ears ringing.  There is no comparison between the two. 

It doesn't matter if the networks drown out the noise because I've been there in person.

Guess it depends on the games because I had a raging headache after that Bulls Game 2 last year until the next day. Also got to go to 2 Finals games and those crowds were absolutely frenzied as well.

Co-sign on the crowd at game 2 of the Bulls series. That crowd was crazy, desperate, frantic, focused, and loud. If the crowds at this year's playoffs do as well, that's nothing to be ashamed of.

The Australian blog NBAMate was on a 2-3 week swing across the States watching games at the time, and it said the crowd at the Garden was the loudest it came across:

This Garden crowd was loud. L.O.U.D. By far the most deafening stadium I have been in, and maybe that’s not a surprise being a Game 7.

http://www.nbamate.com/2009/05/03/day-15-exhale/

Even though the crowds this regular season have been periodically awful, I think there's hope in the playoffs... much like with the team.