Stern Wants Less Noise In Arenas, Wtf?

[spurscenter]

Stern wants NBA to review pregame pyrotechnics, noise

By JOE MILICIA, Associated Press Writer

CLEVELAND (AP)—On the subject of the NBA’s infatuation with pregame pyrotechnics, smoke and noise, commissioner David Stern was loud and clear: He’s had enough.

“I think they’re ridiculous,” Stern said Monday before Game 4 of the Cavaliers-Celtics second-round playoff series. “I think that the noise, the fire, the smoke, is a kind of assault that we should seriously consider reviewing in whether it’s really necessary given the quality of our game.”

His comments came just a few minutes before Cleveland’s over-the-top player introductions, which include fire—hot enough that fans can feel the heat in the stands—shooting out of four swords on the scoreboard.

Such pyrotechnic displays have become common around the league. The barrage of fireworks in Boston is so intense it leaves a fog hanging over the court for most of the first quarter.

“It may be that these are the maniacal rantings of a fan from a different era and I recognize that, but you know I’m sitting there waiting for the next cannon to go off and then the fire heats up the arena,” Stern said, “so the temperature in the arena raises by 15 degrees. That’s if you can see it because you’re still waiting for the smoke, which is chemical, to clear.”

Cavs forward Ben Wallace says the smoke in Boston contributed to the dizziness that forced him to leave Game 2. Wallace didn’t go onto the court for Game 3 in Cleveland until the onslaught of smoke and fire had ended. Anderson Varejao ran onto the court in his place.

The special effects aren’t limited to pregame introductions. White residue from fire extinguishers delayed Game 1 of the Spurs-Hornets series for 19 minutes between the first and second quarters after a mascot soared through a ring of fire for a dunk in New Orleans.

Another thing that annoys Stern is the nonstop loud music and other noise that isn’t generated by fans.

“I always bite my tongue because I say, ‘Well, maybe I’m not the demographic that likes to be assaulted by loud rap, smoke, pyrotechnics and chemicals,”’ he said. “I’m outdated, but I think it’s time for us to say, ‘Hey guys, lets look at it one more time.”’

There’s rarely a quiet moment in Cleveland’s arena where the video screen routinely displays a meter registering over 100 decibels, as loud as a rock concert.

Stern, more of a Simon and Garfunkel fan, says he’s got nothing against hip hop and the music appreciated by younger audiences, but says the volume is over the top.

“What’s happened is that very well intentioned people feel that it’s their obligation to root their team on to victory, to urge them … they think if you turn up the loudspeaker it’s going to help them perform better even though there are babies in the building,” he said.

AP Sports Writer Tom Withers contributed to this report.

[Kermit]

Hell yes!!! That is great news. Now cut out the fucking canned music and the atmosphere will be perfect.

[spurscenter]

I dont agree

Its because the fans in the front sections are dead , David!!!

I agree on the Pyro and Fireworks but not the noise, we need more noise,

BTW why did Spurs fans leave with 5 mins to go in Game 4, I was like WTF?

a sea of empty seats were on tv, anyone else notice it

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

Does this mean the end of John Mason's crazy antics??? :)

[ATXSPUR]

I agree! I suppose next fans are gonna start thinking they're at the game to have a good time.

[timvp]

“I always bite my tongue because I say, ‘Well, maybe I’m not the demographic that likes to be assaulted by loud rapThe dress code was only the first step . . .

[m33p0]

smoke i understand, but noise???

[m33p0]

Stern, more of a Simon and Garfunkel fan...
uh oh. "Sound of Silence" isn't exactly an arena music, senor stern.

[K-State Spur]

i don't have a problem with his statements.

i think he's just referring to where an ideal situation where the noise would be generated by fans, not speakers - like college athletics.

however, when your fan base is corporate execs and not drunk students, that's less likely to happen.

[completely deck]

Noise and smoke effects the game, no doubt. The problem is that when you're trying to boost your ratings and profits for the league as a whole, you really shouldn't bore the fans you already have. As long as it doesn't actively effect the players, such as foam on the court, I don't see a problem.

Bad move, Stern.

[ShoogarBear]

http://z.about.com/d/crime/1/0/J/T/agentzero.jpg

Wants less noise in Stern.

[Kermit]

http://z.about.com/d/crime/1/0/J/T/agentzero.jpg

Wants less noise in Stern.

Arenas looks baked.

[ShoogarBear]

Actually, I agree with Stern on this. Unless it's a big game, most fans today don't know what to do in a stadium until the PA system tells them.

However, the fact that Stern is speaking up on this makes me suspicious. Improving the game experience is always secondary to corporate bucks for him.

[atlfan25]

stern is smart

save the rap for the ghetto

[ShoogarBear]

Arenas looks baked.

Taken at Josh Howard's birthday party.

[Kermit]

Actually, I agree with Stern on this. Unless it's a big game, most fans today don't know what to do in a stadium until the PA system tells them.

However, the fact that Stern is speaking up on this makes me suspicious. Improving the game experience is always secondary to corporate bucks for him.

Less rap music, more auditory advertisements during crucial game moments.

[Kermit]

Taken at Josh Howard's birthday party.

Or Cedric Benson's boat.

[ShoogarBear]

Less rap music, more auditory advertisements during crucial game moments.

O Fortuna in a loop.

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

Arenas looks baked.

Is it only me that finds baked to be the funniest word to describe someone that's high? :lmao

[ElNono]

Instead of music, they should air commercials, like a radio station.
You know, when Cleveland calls a timeout, they should start pitching: "Lebron drinks Gatorade, because he's too cool for school" or "The last dunk was sponsored by Nike"

I bet Stern would not give a flying fuck about the noise level if they get a cut of that.

[SequSpur]

Stern is a dick.

I am sick of going to the spurs games and sitting there on my fukin hands... they can blow me.. i'll watch this shit at home for free...less my directtv bill...

[phyzik]

I think he makes some valid points but I think his ire should be more directed to the fucking losers in the first few rows. Stop selling those tickets to corporations and the price drops... get the fans in those seats that are REAL fans instead of some fucking pre-modana assholes in suits.

[spurscenter]

yea, he should get the prices down to get the real fans up close and then you wont need over the top DJ's etc.

The games get boring at times with all the Time Outs.

[Darcus]

Ridiculous. I agree about the pyrotechnics and smoke, but the noise? Seriously? If you want peace and quiet, either don't go to a fucking NBA game or invest in a pair of earmuffs.

[BATMAN]

What do you expect. Sterns like 70 years old.

[carrecaminos]

Smoke and fire, seems logical to be banned.

Noise? you can't stop it.

[ManuTim_best of Fwiendz]

:lol

Old Man Stern...

Any new music recommendations besides Simon and Garfunkle? Something more relaxing? New Age?? Enya? What's he going to replace the pyrotechnics with? Incense?



Ridiculous. I agree about the pyrotechnics and smoke, but the noise? Seriously? If you want peace and quiet, either don't go to a fucking NBA game or invest in a pair of earmuffs.

Yeah, "there are babies in the building" comment seemed kinda weak on Stern's part.


However, the fact that Stern is speaking up on this makes me suspicious. Improving the game experience is always secondary to corporate bucks for him.

Expect to see more commercial cues, promotional pregame features. Stern's a good agent.

[cherylsteele]

:lol

Old Man Stern...

Any new music recommendations besides Simon and Garfunkle? Something more relaxing? New Age?? Enya? What's he going to replace the pyrotechnics with? Incense?
Zamfir and Potpourri, what a combo.

[reck21]

Stern wants David Greyish music playing..

This year's love have better lasttttt heaven knows it hard TIMEEEEEE. lol

They should stop that PA dude announcer from Detroit who says Bi bi BILLUPS. That is annoying as shit.

Oh and while you at it tell Garnett to stop doing his dumb powder ritual. He's going to blind some dude someday by doing that. lol

[doldrums]

when I see ittle children with their fingers in their ears because of the noise, I say things are out of control. I know some season ticketholders for the Nets that wear earplugs. They are afraid what the constant exposure is doing to their hearing.

[FilSpursFan]

Hey Dave wear an earplug!!!!

[DespЏrado]

I would like to see an improvement, no pyros because fire has killed more than a few in the small venues. I would love live Japanese drums or live marching band music (Mariachi in San Antonio's case but more like what was played in desperado than the pussy shit.), as an improvement, but the noise level needs to stay loud. The fans need to be loud, it's part of the experience.

[GrandeDavid]

There's no place for pyrotechnics before and even during an NBA game. Especially cut that shit out, someday people are going to get hurt.

[spurster]

Fan noise is great, not PA noise.

[GSH]

Why not just record crowd noise and blast it over the loudspeaker system? Would that be OK? I would be shocked if that's not already being done. If it isn't, it's only a matter of time.

Let the crowds make all the noise they want. Dont' give a team an edge through better technology.

[E20]

I agree about the smoke and fire and all that extra unneccssary shit.......it's not neccassary, I also could give two fucks about the music playing and couldn't care less if no music or sound was being played by the loudspeakers, I'm not there to listen to some sound, I'm there to watch the players play. I wonder what the players think about all the unneccssary shit and the sound when it gets really loud, must be a bitch for on court communication and people with allergies (Wallace).

[Spurminator]

Man, Mark Cuban is going to have to lay off a BUNCH of people now...

[degenerate_gambler]

Once upon a time you could hear the sound that sneakers make on the court and/or players yelling or talking it up...

[Ocotillo]

Wasn't it the fireworks or smoke that set off the water cannon at the Dome that one time?

I would rather watch a TNT half-time show on Jumbotron than the Lil' Strutters or jugglers or whatever crap they come up with at half time.

[completely deck]

Once upon a time you could hear the sound that sneakers make on the court and/or players yelling or talking it up...

You mean a Pacers game or a Celtics game before this year.

[Reggie Miller]

You mean a Pacers game or a Celtics game before this year.

Very funny. Up until this year, Conseco Fieldhouse was considered one of the loudest and most abusive arenas in the league to visiting teams. This year, you may have a point.

I don't need to be entertained constantly. I expect to get my money's worth in terms of the on-court product, but that doesn't mean that I need pretty lights and colors to distract me the rest of the time I'm in an arena. Also, the "fake" noise (PA, piped in music, etc.) is way out of hand in most venues. I've never been to the AT&T center to compare, but it got to the point where I didn't enjoy going to Pacers' games anymore. (This was when they were competitive, budding comedians.) When I'm paying that kind of coin, and I can't even communicate with the person sitting next to me, something ain't right.

[Sportcamper]

The Cavs introductions are so over the top…You almost expect George Hamilton to appear out of a ball of smoke, prancing with his blade & rose….

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2157/2419511178_a7c89444ae.jpg

[Sportcamper]

What is with those clip clop sounds during the Spurs games? Is that supposed to be horse Foley? Very Bizarre…

[Don Quixote]

I basically agree with Stern. I don't want all the hoopla and noise. I just want to see the game.

And I don't need to be told when to cheer, thank you. I already know when.

And do we really need music playing, WHILE the good guys have the ball and need a score?

[slowchild25]

There was a poll on espn.com not long ago about this topic and most fans overwhelmingly voted for less artificial noise and music. Can't find it though, as espn apparently thought archiving a poll titled "Are you sad to see Chris Webber retire?" was more important.

[carib]

I agree! I suppose next fans are gonna start thinking they're at the game to have a good time.

Who is the lady in the Picture

[FromWayDowntown]

Wants less noise in Stern.

See, I was thinking this would make more sense if the headline read:

"Stern Wants Less Noise From Arenas."

[SenorSpur]

http://z.about.com/d/crime/1/0/J/T/agentzero.jpg

Wants less noise in Stern.

I was hoping he meant that he wanted less noise from Gilbert Arenas :lol

Seriously though, I would tend to agree. That fiasco during Game 1 on the Hornets/Spurs series clearly highlighted what I believe has been a growing problem with these "over-the-top" game introductions and presentations. The teams do a great job of hyping up the crowd, but all the pyrotechnics, pomp and circumstance can and should be toned down a bit. The bottom line is it's really all about the product on the floor.

[Fundamental]

As long as it doesn't affect the game, i could care less. But sometimes i think Ginobili feeds off of that 'The Who' song. Ya know the one with the keyboard progression and then builds into the "YEAaaa" scream. It seems if Ginobili gets a shot off during that progression it always goes in, and the crowd screams in sync with the song. Like i said, i could do without it, but its worth mentioning, sometimes the players feed off the songs.

[SenorSpur]

Songs being played during timeouts are tradition. I've never agreed with songs being played during live game action. To me, that takes away from the product.

[TampaDude]

Is it only me that finds baked to be the funniest word to describe someone that's high? :lmao

:toast :lol

[SAtown]

Why not just record crowd noise and blast it over the loudspeaker system? Would that be OK? I would be shocked if that's not already being done. If it isn't, it's only a matter of time.



The Indianapolis Colts PA people are one step ahead of you.

[Texas_Ranger]

WTF??? That's just stupid.

[ShoogarBear]

I wouldn't mind seeing the return of the Sound of the Spurs. That probably would take up space that could be used for corporate boxes, though.

[Agitator]

Why the fuck should we care what Howard... oh wait, nevermind

[carib]

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o238/texaslh_2006/brookeangel.jpg

who is the Lady

[spurscenter]

Popovich backs Stern’s anti-pyrotechnics view



NEW ORLEANS (AP)—A day after NBA commissioner David Stern said teams had gotten carried away with pyrotechnic displays of shooting flames, booming firecrackers and sparklers during home-team introductions, San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich offered an even more critical take.

“When you get that powder and all that stuff on you, people, I think, that have lung problems are really endangering themselves,” Popovich said Tuesday night, shortly before tip-off of Game 5 of the Spurs’ second-round series against the New Orleans Hornets. “They can’t ingest that stuff, you know. It is dangerous. But in general, every time I’m at a place where they do pyrotechnics, I just tell myself, there’s going to be an accident. It’s like the stop sign that doesn’t get put up until a kid gets killed.”

Before Game 4 of the Celtics-Cavaliers series in Cleveland on Monday night, Stern said “the noise, the fire, the smoke, is a kind of assault that we should seriously consider reviewing in whether it’s really necessary given the quality of our game.”

Such displays are the norm during the Hornets introductions at New Orleans Arena. Also, there was a 19-minute delay during the first half of Game 1 of the series because of a mascot’s stunt involving a ring of fire.

After the mascot, known as Super Hugo, successfully used a trampoline to jump through the fire and dunk a basketball, firefighters on site were unable to put out the flames with a carbon dioxide extinguisher and resorted to a conventional foam spray, which left a white residue all over the court.

“With all that fire and kind of explosive material going on and there’s kids, people, cheerleaders, this, that, all over the place, something’s going to happen,” Popovich said.

Stern’s criticism “was a mild warning, probably, and probably, we should take note of it,” the coach said.

[manufor3]

smoke i understand, but noise???

ya i know