At least during last night’s game 1 NBA Finals matchup vs the Orlando Magic, the crowd at Staples Center brought their “A” game.  Often looked at as fairweather wanna-be fans, the passion displayed last night will tell its detractors a different story.  Sure the arena is always filled with snotty celebs and fake fans, but to refer to the entire fanbase as wishy-washy is just inappropriate.

As pointed out by Josh Tucker — a writer who covers the pulse of the Lakers fans –  last night’s crowd was intense from the very start and maintained their passion throughout the contest.

In the nosebleeds or the courtside seats, these people understood what was at stake. These weren’t the bandwagon fans you hear about, who wear the replica jerseys but don’t know much about the Lakers beyond Kobe Bryant and Phil Jackson. They understood the importance of Bynum having a good game, especially defensively – every time he pulled down a rebound, they went crazy. Every time Dwight Howard jumped onto his pogo stick, tipping and tipping and tipping the ball only to lose the rebound to the Lakers, the fans went nuts. When Fisher hit his only three-pointer of the game, they were ecstatic. It wasn’t just about, “Oh yay, the Lakers are winning!” You could tell by the things they cheered for the loudest that they understood this game, that they knew what needed to happen in order for the Lakers to win. And you could tell they intended to do their part.

So the fans did their part and the team they root for emphatically handled their business in their collective quest for an impressive 15th championship (trailing only the Boston Celtics’ 17).  We’ll see if Orlando fans can match the energy when the series shifts.  It sure seems the Magic can use the boost.

Source:
L.A. Crowd Delivers in Game 1 [Finals 2009 Blog Fan Voice]

For economic reasons, Atlantic Yards developers have scrapped the original plan and design for the proposed Brooklyn Nets arena (seen here) in favor of a new concept.

The new design, which will cost about $200 million less, comes from Ellerbe Becket, an architectural firm based in Kansas City, Mo., that specializes in convention centers, stadiums and arenas and designed Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, where the Indiana Pacers play. Officials who have seen the design say that while it resembles Conseco Fieldhouse it also bears a likeness to an “airplane hangar.”

Source:
Developer Drops Gehry’s Design for Brooklyn Arena [The New York Times via Gothamist]

The Oklahoma City Thunder has unveiled one of the biggest state-of-the-art scoreboards in any NBA or NHL arena, which will debut during next year’s pre-season opener.  The “Tale of the Tape” shows the digital mass as weighing in at 46,000 lbs; 31 ft tall and 35 ft wide.  Designed by Daktronics, the new scoreboard boasts 10 full-motion video panels, an LED ring and an overall more colorful and brighter display than the current scoreboard in Ford Center.

The new board will allow for a multi-tasking experience, with a live game feed, score, clock, statistics and sponsor messaging can be played simultaneously. There will also be a pop-up element, which will alert fans to what will happen during the next timeout, whether it’s a sponsored promotion or an appearance by the Thunder Girls.

Another unique feature will allow for fans sitting closest to the action the relief of not having to bend their heads back all game long to check to see just how badly their home team is getting pounded. 

The bottom of the board will feature two tilted 6mm video panels that form a v-shape to cater to fans in the first five to seven rows. The highest-end clientele will no longer have to subject themselves to neck-craning or distorted views.

Source:
New Scoreboard Designed With Fans in Mind [NBA.com/Thunder]

AmericanAirlines Arena has unveiled “MiamiMediaMesh,” which is a 3,400 square foot digital media facade.  The 3-story high energy-efficient display is the largest of the Southeast.  The main purpose of the giant Lite-Brite is, of course, offering official sponsors the opportunity to reach millions of passersby in a unique; grandeur way.  The facade will be visible to all traffic on busy Biscayne Boulevard.

However, probably the coolest planned usage for MiamiMediaMesh will be the involvement of South Florida’s residents and Twitter users.

In conjunction with the unveiling, the AmericanAirlines Arena also plans to have some fun with the local community by making the new MiamiMediaMeshinteractive and opening it to the local community as a message board.  Residents and visitors are invited to send messages and well wishes or answer the traditional “What are you doing?” via Twitter and see some of their selected comments become larger than life on the AA Arena’s new digital display. To participate, send Tweets to @MiamiMediaMesh or traditional emails to MiamiMediaMesh@heat.com.  Selected messages will be randomly displayed throughout the day.

Source:
AmericanAirlines Arena Unveils Three Story High Media Mesh [Heat.com]

The Sixers have posted a brief video of the Spectrum floor being dismantled and announced the opportunity for fans to own a piece of  “America’s Showplace.”  Fans can bid on sections including the area from which Christian Laettner hit his famous game-winning shot versus Kentucky in the 1992 NCAA East Regional, as well as other smaller commemorative pieces.

Source:
http://twitter.com/Sixers

Related:
Remember The Spectrum.com
Sixers.com [Official Site]
Villanova Closes Out Final College Game at Spectrum with Victory

The Jaunt considers the many promotions and giveaways at sporting events throughout the season, and hand-picks the best of the week.

NBA - Chicago Bulls - United Center
Saturday, March 28 vs Indiana Pacers, 1:00 p.m.

- Miniature United Center Replicas

The Chicago Bulls will be giving away a miniature version of “The House that Jordan Built.”  The arena opened in 1994 — succeeding Chicago Stadium — and was home to the Chicago Bulls and Michael Jordan for 3 of the dynasty’s 6 championships.

The Jaunt considers the many promotions and giveaways at sporting events throughout the season, and hand-picks the best of the week.

NBA - New Orleans Hornets - New Orleans Arena
Wednesday, March 18 vs Minnesota Timberwolves, 7:00 p.m.

- Peja Action Figure (first 8,000 fans)
 
The New Orleans Hornets sharpshooter comes to life in the form of a collectible action figure.  Complete with realistic 3-day stubble.

The Jaunt considers the many promotions and giveaways at sporting events throughout the season, and hand-picks the best of the week.

NBA - Philadelphia 76ers - Wachovia Spectrum
Friday, March 13 vs Chicago Bulls, 7:00 p.m.

- The Spectrum Game 

The Philadelphia 76ers will be paying tribute to their previous home with help from a host of former players who helped the Sixers win the NBA championship of the 1982-83 season (The last time the organization won a title).  Of the confirmed attendees, the most notable players who will take the court at halftime for a final tribute to The Spectrum will be Hall of Fame center Moses Malone, sixth-man extraordinaire Bobby Jones and widely loved; iconic Julius “Dr. J” Erving.  This night will mark the final event at “America’s Showplace” which also housed the Philadelphia Flyers and has hosted numerous NCAA basketball games.  The refurbished court – in an effort to recapture the team’s championship season – was unveiled recently.

Moses Malone helped lead the 1982-83 Sixers to the Promised Land

 Related:
Remember The Spectrum.com
Villanova Closes Out Final College Game at Spectrum with Victory
Honoring Black History Month: Stadium Statues – Julius Erving

Five new interactive enhancements to the Madison Square Garden All-Access Tour have been announced, which will add to the mystique of exploring “The World’s Most Famous Arena.”  Among the new additions, probably the most entertaining — at least from a purely humorous standpoint — would be that of a life-size cardboard cut-out of diminutive New York Knicks guard Nate Robinson.  The 2-dimensional likeness could probably serve as a stand-up placard that reads “You Must be THIS Tall to Ride the Tea Cups.” 

Short jokes aside, the other additions round out like this:

- The other new cut-outs  for photo opps include Liberty guard Shameka Christon and Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist.

- Fans will now have the opportunity to park their asses on the Rangers bench, or catch a view courtside from the Knicks apron.

- Ever want to chat with a Knicks City Dancer?  Well, here’s your chance with a new Q&A session as well as a photo opp.  Please keep the pickup lines to a minimum.

- Fact sheets will be given out which runs down the rich history of ‘The Garden.’  The sheets have been printed in 6 different languages.

- Also fans will receive a Madison Square Garden backstage pass keepsake

If you are thinking of visiting, check out the official MSG site for tickets

Source:
Madison Square Garden Adds New enhancements to All-Access Tour [NYC Official City Guide]

Upon entering the home of the Boston Celtics, the first thing fans notice is how ‘The Garden’ is highly decorated with 17 banners touting the franchise’s championship tradition and basketball mastery.  Historically the Celtics have always put out a great fan-pleasing product on the court, but as the team has transitioned from the classic Boston Garden to its current TD Banknorth Garden; fans can count on an overall experience way beyond that of crisp passing and squeaking sneakers.

The modern day sports entertainment outing is a hyperactive explosion of sights, sounds, adrenaline and fully enhanced interaction.  This obviously is not a practice exclusive to the Celtics or the NBA, but the C’s were always considered to be a ‘no frills’ type of operation.  A business-as-usual tradition of winning without having to “resort” to sideshow antics in hopes of keeping the attention span-challenged fans engaged.  Legendary late owner “Red” Auerbach even forbade the team from employing a dance squad – which has long been a common attraction across the league.

My, my…how time’s have changed in Boston.  Here is a recounting of a  game played at the Garden in last year’s renewed NBA Finals rivalry vs the L.A. Lakers:

Before the final buzzer, 300 crowd shots will be broadcast, along with 45 game-action replays on the high-definition Jumbotron. The Garden DJ will play 125 songs at rock concert volume. The Celtics cheerleaders will fire 40 T-shirts into the stands by air gun. On the court, four promotions will fill timeouts, along with three dance routines by a squad of young women wearing considerably less clothing than normal for a cold winter night. Halftime will feature a similarly-clad female unicyclist tossing bowls from the tip of her bright red shoe onto her head.

Did I say a recount of the game?  Well, yeah…this is where we’re at nowadays.  It’s no longer just an exercise in watching one team play another team in a heated contest for league supremacy…that’s not enough.  The bells and whistles surrounding the modern day game have become just as much part of the event as blown calls and flat beer.  Some say the circus atmosphere is intrusive or overbearing, others see these implementations as a crucial component for overall satisfaction.

Wherever your opinion lies in the argument of tried and true sport versus sports entertainment, one thing is for certain:  There is no way in hell you could ever attract a passive fan or a youthful onlooker to a game unless there is a promise of hot dog-propelling cannons or a friggin’ chicken dance.  But once there attention is gotten, then maybe the league will have a fan for life.  Without those gimmicky spectacles, I am not so sure

Source:
A Garden party [The Boston Globe]

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