Auerbach's Daughter: "In a way, I'm glad my father is not around to see this."

[jpotter33]

Good Lord. This entire article just reeked of an old curmudgeon who can't accept that times have changed. I've only been to a handful of NBA games and only one at the Garden (2012 NBA Eastern Conference Finals Game 4), but they aren't any different than any other major event that you go to nowadays, i.e. concert, baseball game, etc.

And the only thing I noticed about the crowd was that it was mainly whites and Asians, with Asians being a significant minority of the people there. In fact, I noticed that Asians were pretty common in the Boston area in my visit there.

[RockinRyA]

Long time no post, but this topic interests me. The thing that bugs me, and it includes the entire NBA, is the fact that it is the only sport that allows music and sound effects to be played during game action. There's no need for it and I just don't get why the league does it.

Yeah I agree. I couldnt behind the whole background music thing. Even the pro league here in the philippines is like that. I like the college atmosphere more, no background music and just pure chants and heckling (not counting the occasional accompaniment of chants with drums and brass)

[TheGreenMonster]

[thirstyboots18]

Some people will always hate progress.
And the cheerleaders are the best athletes on the floor.

It is not progress...it is simply change.

[ThaPreacher]

The game I saw the cheerleaders at the new garden (I think it was Fleet Center then)
I was court side.

Each time they took the floor, I stood up and boo'd them!  Thumbs down!  In my loudest voice! 
In honor of Red!

Now I cheer them like you do, as I listen to people argue who is their favorite one,
just like you used argue over who was your favorite Spice Girl!

[Johnny Mic]

Biggest issue with the Garden music is they just play waaaaay too many bands from.....Los Angeles.  Guns n Roses? Poison? Sure they're fun rock bands, but I've always had an issue with 'Welcome To The Jungle' as the new Garden "pump up" song. I mean, these bands are from freaking LA!

[Moranis]

Maybe if the 48 minute game didn't take 2.5 hours to complete you wouldn't need all the extra stuff.

[slamtheking]

The game I saw the cheerleaders at the new garden (I think it was Fleet Center then)
I was court side.

Each time they took the floor, I stood up and boo'd them!  Thumbs down!  In my loudest voice! 
In honor of Red!

Now I cheer them like you do, as I listen to people argue who is their favorite one,
just like you used argue over who was your favorite Spice Girl!

I still don't cheer them nor have I ever argued about preferring any particular Spice Girl.  I still don't get why they're called 'dancers' when what they primarily do is gyrate (often suggestively which I think is a bit much for a 'family' entertainment situation) rather than do actual dancing.

[33_Larry Legend_33]

I'm 43 - I've had to accept over time that a couple things have changed in the NBA:

1) the GAME has changed.  it's a jump-shooting league, where 3 pointers are being chucked at ridiculous rates.  Specific positions have absolved into vanilla concepts of "wings" and "bigs".  "Small ball" has become commonplace.  So the game itself isn't close to what it once was.  People have to come to grips with that.

2) the ARENA PRESENTATION has changed.  And that's been noted here.  My biggest complaint is this: stop the loud music DURING gameplay.  Sometimes it's almost like the game is secondary to everything else.

When my dad took me to see games in Richfield Coliseum (in Cleveland) to see the Celtics play the Cavs each year (from the early 80s to early 90s) it was a totally different style of play and arena presentation.  I've taken my son (before his passing away) to games in Orlando to see the Celtics play for the last 5 years.  Honestly, I can't stand how loud everything is, and on top of that, there's not a moment of silence or calm.  It's like there's this need to make every second a bass thumping laser show - or someone rapping to get the crowd involved - or t-shirts - or jumbotron clowning - you name it.  But I get it - it's change. 

I can see both sides of this...  We now live in an era of time where it seems we have a divide between young and old (shoot, just look at the political divide).  I don't think anyone is right or wrong - it's just a matter of personal taste.  Finger pointing might be easy on both sides - but somehow each side has to accept change is inevitable.  And it's ok...

[Rosco917]

That was then...this is now.

True enough, Red was playing chess, when everyone else was playing checkers. But times move on, and we have to too. Sports Fans now expect a show...music...T&A...

[thirstyboots18]

For any of you youngsters who think the old guard's opinions are irrelevant, just realize that, if you are lucky, your opinions will soon be irrelevant, too.   

[slamtheking]

For any of you youngsters who think the old guard's opinions are irrelevant, just realize that, if you are lucky, your opinions will soon be irrelevant, too.   

that's one of the blessings of being part of the old guard TB, we already know their opinions are irrelevant.  we just need to them to catch on to it

[guava_wrench]

She is irrelevant.

[mef730]

Biggest issue with the Garden music is they just play waaaaay too many bands from.....Los Angeles.  Guns n Roses? Poison? Sure they're fun rock bands, but I've always had an issue with 'Welcome To The Jungle' as the new Garden "pump up" song. I mean, these bands are from freaking LA!

Definitely. I know that the Dropkick Murphys are considered a Red Sox band, but I'm sure they could work something out.

I'd also consider Dexy's Midnight Runners and Men Without Hats as appropriate bands for the Garden. My son has requested Laurie Berkner (I would love to see the Celtics come onto the floor while they played "We are the Dinosaurs.").

Mike

[fairweatherfan]

For any of you youngsters who think the old guard's opinions are irrelevant, just realize that, if you are lucky, your opinions will soon be irrelevant, too.

Not irrelevant (at least not any more irrelevant than anyone else's).  Just very, very predictable.  "Things were better before" has been the refrain of a large chunk of aging generations since the dawn of civilization.  I say this as a member of an aging generation myself who gets to hear it all the time.