Spur: AT&T Center Crowd Lame

[timvp]

Harvey: Next round, next decibel? Mob rules
San Antonio Express-News

I tell Robert Horry that the AT&T Center crowd is the Robert Horry of NBA crowds.

He tilts his head, smiles and asks, "How's that?"

I tell him. I tell him Spurs fans, too, have seen a few things. I tell him they know to pace themselves, and I tell him they don't get overly excited about ordinary games anymore.

The Robert Horry of basketball players smiles again.

And I tell him: But at least you showed up for the first round.

He laughs and isn't as harsh. He says the atmosphere in the AT&T Center against Denver in the first round was fine, and he went on to say how much he appreciates the San Antonio fan base.

His Rockets were booed in Houston after losses, he says, and his Lakers were booed in Los Angeles. Here, he says, "they tell you to get 'em next time."

But variations of that are heard in every sport. Athletes annually announce they have the best fans in the world, and that means one thing. Someone is lying.

I've often wondered if it matters at all. Horry repeated Friday afternoon what Gregg Popovich always says. Playing at home means far less than playing well.

Still, Horry insists there's a power that comes from a crowd. "I can feel it rattle in my bones," he said, "and it gives you an extra push."

He says it affects players differently, and Tim Duncan must be one of those. His free-throw percentage, for example, was over 70 percent on the road this season. Then all he had to deal with were people yelling at him.

At home he hears something worse when he stands at the line. Silence. Then, if he misses, the entire building seems to gasp, projecting their apprehension upon him. Perhaps that explains why his percentage dropped below 58 at home this season.

The silence and gasping is just part of San Antonio's ambience, especially in contrast to what is going on elsewhere. Horry admits the Golden State fans are so dynamic they seem to jump through his television, and they remind him of the Sacramento cowbell days.

Then Phil Jackson's whistle would get drowned.

Horry remembers the Detroit crowd of 2005. "They were rowdy in a good way," Horry said.

And his memory of playing the Finals in Philadelphia — rowdy in a bad.

Now the gold T-shirts in Oakland have given way to powder-blue in Utah. The crowds in Denver were loud, too, while Phoenix was respectable though not Warrior-like.

Spurs fans? At least their reputation is intact. This week, after Amare Stoudemire made his they-are-dirty comments, an Arizona columnist wrote, "his saucy outburst will further charge an already rabid fan base."

If Stoudemire indeed awakened a sleeping giant, then the giant has a beer, is 15 minutes late for the tip and, indeed, has been sleeping.

Various Spurs have said that. They have privately wondered about the lack of electricity, and one has used the term "lame."

Those who run basketball operations have been concerned, too. They've rethought everything from the start times to the choice of arena music.

"Y'all ready for this" is soooo '90s.

But it's also to be expected. Golden State is celebrating a generational breakthrough, while San Antonio has been treated to one of the best shows in sports.

Consider how the last four seasons have ended at home for Spurs fans: A championship celebration in 2003, Derek Fisher's .4 moment the next year, a Game 7 and another championship celebration after that and the Game 7 overtime loss to Dallas last season.

By any standard, that's entertainment.

Horry lived through the same with the Lakers when he won three consecutive les. And he says, as the years went on, Lakers fans learned the routine. "After every round," he said, "the decibel level went up."

So now comes the next round at home, against a team with the league's second-best record, with the path to a le clear to both franchises.

Golden State for a night?

The Robert Horry of crowds would become that.

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/b...s.34a5c7a.html

[timvp]

I have to agree with the "lame" assessment. Somewhere along the lines, Spurs fans went from rabid to lazy. It used to be that the Spurs had a decided homecourt advantage, but now the crowd only shows up when it wants to.

Crowds from Golden State and even Utah put the AT&T Center to shame most nights. Do Spurs fans not want to win as much anymore? I'm not exactly sure what happened.

Hopefully this Amare Stoudemire incident has woken up the fan base. The Spurs have two huge games coming up. And if it doesn't inconvenience San Antonio too much, it'd be nice if the crowd comes prepared.

Now isn't the time to settle. One day winning will be a distant memory. Now is the time to get while the gettin' is good.

Bring it.

[ponky]

"Yall ready for this?" LMFAO. I go to the Spurs/Mavs games in S.A., the one back in November, right after Thanksgiving, was REALLY awesome. The crowd was great and being rude as ...I loved it. Anyway, I've also been to other non-Mavs games in S.A. and yeah, the crowd is not as great but at least their team is winning and there will always be a core fanbase going nuts over the team, win or lose.

[FromWayDowntown]

If Angel Luv wants a marketing idea -- have the Baseline Bums (who've, I think, strayed from their original iden y as well) stand at every entrance tonight and hand out a copy of this column with instructions for each entering fan to read it.

It's an interestingly-timed call out by Buck Harvey. Tonight's game is big.

[Ginofan]

Perhaps the fanbase is a little spoiled with all of the winning as of late, we always think there will be another game, we'll make it past this round and then that's when we will cheer hard.

But this is the "next" game, the "next" round. We need to be heard people. BE LOUD, BE ROWDY, BE SPURS FANS!

[Jimcs50]

Fans are too busy eating and drinking in SA. You can not clap and yell with food and drink in your mouth. I swear, it is 180 degrees from the Hemisfair days and I think that the fans have just gotten lazy and lazier over the years. If I hear the PA announcer ask for a little help one more time, I will puke.
I think it is not coincidental that the Spurs play better on the road lately....they want to hear screaming and booing at them, it is better than the luke warm crap they get at home.

[timvp]

If the Spurs had Golden State's crowd, they'd win the championship.

[GrandeDavid]

I haven't been to a playoff game this season yet, so I can only judge by the regular season. I saw the Spurs rout the Warriors and I can't recall now which other teams, all wins, because it wasy pretty unelectric. I've been criticizing the home crowd for a few years now. I have also noticed a drop off.

At games in Brazil, fans will often stand the entire game, even during regular season games, cheering. LJ is right, we have gotten lazy. Its gotten to the point where if you are a huge fan and yell support from section 200 over a nice play, there's a great chance the Spurs' bench will hear you loud and clear.

For ONCE, just stand most of the game, Spurs fans. The Spurs lose momentum in games and we want to blame fatigue or age. Bull . Fans are not making enough damn noise!!

Also, I want to know when someone will get fired or some new blood will come in to manage the arena during those games. The music and sound effects are SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO old and gay. Time for an overhaul. I get embarrassed at games in listening to the crap they play.

In playoff games, you don't want to play "if you're happy and you know it clap your hands". And give the Pat Benatar a rest, same with the little post free throw country music twang.

[SA210]

I'm really pumped for tonights game. The crowd better be crazy beyond belief.

[ponky]

I haven't been to a playoff game this season yet, so I can only judge by the regular season. I saw the Spurs rout the Warriors and I can't recall now which other teams, all wins, because it wasy pretty unelectric. I've been criticizing the home crowd for a few years now. I have also noticed a drop off.

At games in Brazil, fans will often stand the entire game, even during regular season games, cheering. LJ is right, we have gotten lazy. Its gotten to the point where if you are a huge fan and yell support from section 200 over a nice play, there's a great chance the Spurs' bench will hear you loud and clear.

For ONCE, just stand most of the game, Spurs fans. The Spurs lose momentum in games and we want to blame fatigue or age. Bull . Fans are not making enough damn noise!!

Also, I want to know when someone will get fired or some new blood will come in to manage the arena during those games. The music and sound effects are SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO old and gay. Time for an overhaul. I get embarrassed at games in listening to the crap they play.

In playoff games, you don't want to play "if you're happy and you know it clap your hands". And give the Pat Benatar a rest, same with the little post free throw country music twang.

this was too funny. my favorite from the spurs arena was "who let the dogs out" about standing, is this a basketball game in brazil or a futbol game? i've been to crazy futbol games (europe) where everyone stands the entire game which is why im' curious.

[SA210]

They can start by getting rid of Stan Kelly! Immediately.

[phyzik]

someone just needs to get a nerf bat and go down to the lower levels and just start smashing the out of people who are just sitting there and scream at them "IF YOUR NOT GONNA GET OFF YOUR FAT ASS AND CHEER, KINDLY MAKE YOUR FAT ASS WAY TO THE UPPER LEVEL AND SWITCH SEATS WITH SOMEONE WHO WILL!!"

[GrandeDavid]

this was too funny. my favorite from the spurs arena was "who let the dogs out" about standing, is this a basketball game in brazil or a futbol game? i've been to crazy futbol games (europe) where everyone stands the entire game which is why im' curious.

Bro, I'm talking about a basketball game. Where I live my city's team is usually near the top so they get lots of support.

Soccer games probably suck because its mainly dudes who go and require a massive police presence. "Lame", to quote the anonymous Spurs player.

[GrandeDavid]

First, I'm gonna rule some guys out. I don't think it was Ginobili, Oberto or Elson. I don't think Butler or White would say that either. I also have a hard time believing Bruce Bowen would say that and, like Ginobili and Oberto as foreign guys, I just cannot see Parker using that term. I'm guessing Matt Bonner is too new and humble to go there. Mike Finley is too professional to care, and Horry was quoted as being appreciative of the crowd for not booing. Jacques Vaugn? No way!

Brent Barry might say that.

Me? I think it was Tim. That sounds like a Tim term. Thanks, big fella, and I don't mean that sarcastically! I couldn't agree more!

[DarrinS]

Maybe the wrong crowd has tickets.

[SA210]

I think it might be Timmy as well.
I agree with him or whomever it was though.

[SA210]

someone just needs to get a nerf bat and go down to the lower levels and just start smashing the out of people who are just sitting there and scream at them "IF YOUR NOT GONNA GET OFF YOUR FAT ASS AND CHEER, KINDLY MAKE YOUR FAT ASS WAY TO THE UPPER LEVEL AND SWITCH SEATS WITH SOMEONE WHO WILL!!"

Awesome!

Or just have Tony Soprano do that with a real bat.

[mbass]

I haven't been to a playoff game this season yet, so I can only judge by the regular season. I saw the Spurs rout the Warriors and I can't recall now which other teams, all wins, because it wasy pretty unelectric. I've been criticizing the home crowd for a few years now. I have also noticed a drop off.

At games in Brazil, fans will often stand the entire game, even during regular season games, cheering. LJ is right, we have gotten lazy. Its gotten to the point where if you are a huge fan and yell support from section 200 over a nice play, there's a great chance the Spurs' bench will hear you loud and clear.

For ONCE, just stand most of the game, Spurs fans. The Spurs lose momentum in games and we want to blame fatigue or age. Bull . Fans are not making enough damn noise!!

Also, I want to know when someone will get fired or some new blood will come in to manage the arena during those games. The music and sound effects are SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO old and gay. Time for an overhaul. I get embarrassed at games in listening to the crap they play.

In playoff games, you don't want to play "if you're happy and you know it clap your hands". And give the Pat Benatar a rest, same with the little post free throw country music twang.

-----
Fans of all ages attend the Spurs games and pay good money for tickets. If all the fans stand thruout the game, us seniors (and there are many, many who are fans - just look next time you are in the arena) will have to stand the entire game also. Does that matter to you???

[Jelly]

I haven't been to a game in years (I'm out of the area). I bought my Mom and Dad 2 tickets three years ago and for decent seats they cost me $230 - for regular season! I recall George Gervin once saying that back in the day, the Hemisphere Arena went crazy and the noise was incredible. He chalked the new "lameness" to Spurs games no longer being accessible to your average San Antonian. Watching a playoff game with friends a few weeks ago, I was embarrassed by all the empty seats. This appears to be the result of all these new corporations buying up all the front row seats and not being able to fill them with disinterested clients. If they haven't given them away by a few nights before, they should give them to their employees. They obviously don't and that is such a shame. How many employees would kill to sit in those seats. Then you'd have some energy.

[Shelly]

Bring back Crazy Lou!

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

I remember going to game 6 against Detroit a couple of years ago and the Spurs fans showed up like it was a regular season game.

WTF is wrong with SA? Spurs fans are spoiled.

And I may as well join the pile on about the music, the 80s and 90s crap has got to go. They need to do something to give the arena an edge.

[exstatic]

I think the crowd is uninspiring. That being said, I don't think they're Robert Horry. I think they are a direct reflection of the Spurs themselves. I think the fans see the Spurs pacing themselves during the year, and decide that is a good idea. The team is also not overly demonstrative. Another mirror image.

[L.I.T]

To continue the piling on...I remember a couple of years ago, I think it was in the Alamodome, they had a '70's disco' theme...I still have flashbacks.

[exstatic]

Tim. He uses that type of quaint terminology. Re ed, Lame, etc.

[ALVAREZ6]

That means step it the up AT&T.



Take notes from Golden State.