The jungle nickname

[keepthefaith]

Anyone remember when the fleet center/ td garden was first called the jungle? My first memory is back from the Antoine days during a playoff run. Anyone remember who said it first?

[Prof. Clutch]

My memory was it was Antoine Walker who coined it back in the early 2000's.  I remember him making this reference in a post-game interview.  I found a couple of articles from back in 2002 that mention this:

http://articles.nydailynews.com/2002-05-25/sports/18196342_1_nets-coach-byron-scott-paul-pierce-celtic-legends

However, the Celtics have yet to lose a home playoff game in five tries this postseason and currently sport a 10-game home winning streak dating back to the regular season. The Nets were 1-1 this season at the Fleet Center, dubbed "the jungle" by Walker.

http://articles.courant.com/2002-05-25/sports/0205250893_1_fleetcenter-antoine-walker-celtics

``I feel like we've finally got our own identity, our own crowd,'' said forward Antoine Walker, who refers to the FleetCenter as the Jungle. ``The fans are appreciating this team, and it's fun. They've made it very intimidating.''

[clover]

My recollection was that Pierce gave it the name "The Jungle" and  Toine just went along with it.  Not certain however.