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yes!!! That is great news. Now cut out the ing canned music and the atmosphere will be perfect.
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 “I’m outdated, but I think it’s time for us to say, ‘Hey guys, lets look at it one more time.”’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.
yes!!! That is great news. Now cut out the ing canned music and the atmosphere will be perfect.
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
Does this mean the end of John Mason's crazy antics???
I agree! I suppose next fans are gonna start thinking they're at the game to have a good time.
The dress code was only the first step . . .
smoke i understand, but noise???
uh oh. "Sound of Silence" isn't exactly an arena music, senor stern.Stern, more of a Simon and Garfunkel fan...
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.
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.
Wants less noise in Stern.
Arenas looks baked.
Wants less noise in Stern.
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 su ious. Improving the game experience is always secondary to corporate bucks for him.
stern is smart
save the rap for the ghetto
Taken at Josh Howard's birthday party.
Less rap music, more auditory advertisements during crucial game moments.
Or Cedric Benson's boat.
O Fortuna in a loop.
Is it only me that finds baked to be the funniest word to describe someone that's high?
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 about the noise level if they get a cut of that.
Stern is a .
I am sick of going to the spurs games and sitting there on my fukin hands... they can blow me.. i'll watch this at home for free...less my directtv bill...
I think he makes some valid points but I think his ire should be more directed to the ing 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 ing pre-modana assholes in suits.
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.
Ridiculous. I agree about the pyrotechnics and smoke, but the noise? Seriously? If you want peace and quiet, either don't go to a ing NBA game or invest in a pair of earmuffs.
What do you expect. Sterns like 70 years old.
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