Bradley Center of Attention
by Alex Boeder on Apr 29, 2010 10:55 PM CDT
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No one wants to play in Milwaukee.
Unless you don't play for Milwaukee. In which case, you might still not want to play in Milwaukee, or even be here.
It's cold. It's a city, but not a big city. In recent years, games were canceled from the national television schedule about as often as they were on. Which is to say, rarely. Rare, like advancing past the first round -- once since the 80's. Not a big market, not a big budget, supposedly not many fans or big names or much to do.
Bill Simmons, earlier today:
10. Bucks fans
FEAR THE DEER! FEAR THEM! YOU MUST FEAR THE DEER! COWER, DUCK YOUR HEAD AND PEE IN YOUR PANTS! FEAR THE DEER!!!!!!!!!!(Follow-up note: I am expecting one of the great basketball crowds of the past 15 years in Milwaukee on Friday night. Just know that if it wasn't my daughter's birthday this weekend, I would have walked from Los Angeles to be at that game. OK, not really. But I would have done just about anything. Maybe for Round 2. Hold your heads high, people of Milwaukee. You proved this season that small market basketball can work with the right group of fans.)
I usually try get to the BC a couple hours before the tip. As early as possible, really, which usually means about 90 minutes early. And at that time, it's just hardwood waiting, quiet as can be. A high school band might be practicing, Energee might be rehearsing, but there isn't much bustle.
On Friday night, I don't forecast arriving until about 25 minutes before gametime...
It's an early start, 6:00 p.m. central, and unfortunately the city is not quite shutting down for this game. So I'll go to work, and then I'll go to work again. At which point, I expect to walk into a maelstrom of Milwaukee madness, if I may alliterate.
This is the biggest game in years for the Bucks. Game Three, we all just wanted one win in the series, and it was the loudest game of the season -- until Game Four. This? This is for four in a row, to clinch. And the fans will have their say.
To me, home court advantage is one of the most fascinating phenomenons in sports. Because it's so real. These are incredible, professional, grown-up athletes playing on courts with all the same dimensions. I mean, it's not like Milwaukee is really home to the Cameroonian, Argentine, Australian, or Primo Berezec, right? And yet the Hawks win about 83 % of the time at home, about 46 % of the time on the road. The Bucks win about 68 % of home games about 44 % of away games.
And that was when Milwaukee was bringing in about 15,000 sitting folks per night. This playoff atmosphere isn't just an additional three or four or five thousand people. In the regular season, Squad 6 would shout for everyone to hear; now they lead the cheer and everyone shouts. The Bucks are 2-0 at home in the playoffs, and be careful because the Hawks were also 2-0 at home in the playoffs until Wednesday. But make no mistake...
No one wants to play in Milwaukee right now.
Unless you play for Milwaukee. In which case, you are happy to be back:
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The Bradley Center is an odd arena
When it’s empty it’s like a morgue – really old, seems cold and dim with concrete, etc.
When it’s full, it’s one of the loudest places in the NBA. Back in 2001 it was REALLY loud. I wonder if they’ll pull out the decibel reader and compare?
"But we all know that games aren't played on paper...they are played by little men inside our TV sets." --Kenny Mayne
by dishingoutdimes on Apr 29, 2010 11:58 PM CDT reply actions
Be interesting to compare
the crowd tonight against what I remember the crowd like for Game 7 of the Charlotte series back in 2001. That game was the loudest event I’d ever seen at the BC, including concerts. I remember being in there over an hour before tip and you could just feel the electricity in the air.
Now, it seems like you can feel the electricity in the air throughout the city without even being in the BC. While some will say the “Fear the Deer” slogan is kinda tacky (I absolutely love it, personally), it certainly has galvanized the city, and, from what I’ve been hearing, other parts of the state now.
You trying to say Jesus Christ can't hit a curveball?
Excitement deferred...
Biggest Bucks game in a decade. I’ll be dinnering at the Lawrence U Commons (a remarkable new cafeteria) and then taking in a classical concert in the Lawrence Chapel. Luckily my friend isn’t a sports fan, so she’ll keep my mind off what I’m missing. I hope.
DVD1 will be recording ESPN. DVD2 will be recording FSN. Both will start recording before I have to leave the house, so only a systemic power failure has me worried. Along with a systemic shot-making failure.
It’ll be after midnight before I find out who won. Unless I cheat and jump ahead or check online. Which I think I will only do if I watch them get down by 20 points.
I suppose I have no right to expect further “riches,” but I wish us all more of the same superb basketball viewing we’ve seen lately. It’s been a storybook season. Might as well finish round one in storybook fashion…
Hopefully the thunderstorms they are forecasting don't impact you
Just the thunder in the arena.
Failure is just success rounded down.
This is going to be good...
Early start kinda blows, but I’m prepared to rock.
Does anyone know if they are giving out shirts or any other promotions for tonights game?
Go Beer, I mean Bucks
by Take Back Our Bucks on Apr 30, 2010 9:15 AM CDT reply actions
Only thing I know of
is towels being handed out.
You trying to say Jesus Christ can't hit a curveball?
Bogut Jersey it is...
Go Beer, I mean Bucks
by Take Back Our Bucks on Apr 30, 2010 9:34 AM CDT up reply actions
"show up or implode?"
Push an animal to the edge and some find resolve. Some break down. Skiles might know what to expect. I don’t. Suspect the Hawks don’t know how they’ll respond either.
These playoffs have been learning experiences for the Bucks. This is their first game where they aren’t clear underdogs. Does that give extra confidence? Or apply a different kind of pressure?
Seems like half of Skiles job is to keep his players from thinking too much…
i assume........
the hawks come out like rabid dogs……not that im sure about that after J.Smith 3 pt attempt in the last quarter………..that was wtf Im just going to do what I want……screw the team and screw Jamal Crawford chucking up every shot……..I dont know what to expect from the hawks apart from switching defence and isolation play on offence ;)
Vereor cervus
El miedo del Venado. Angst de Deer. La peur du Cerf. Hofu ya kulungu. In any langauge, its a good edict to heed.
공포 사슴
that’s it in Korean. That one is for Ha Seung Gin → too bad he never made it on the team
Go Beer, I mean Bucks
by Take Back Our Bucks on Apr 30, 2010 11:41 AM CDT up reply actions
whats going on? anything interesting happening tonight?
……………….oh wait…….let’s keep it under control we still have to understand this team has to bring its best effort, and optimise its resources……yes I mean KT/Gadz/Stack……..oh wait we have BJ….sorted ;)
MACC Fund Merchandice?
Will there be any word on how much money has been raised so far for the MACC Fund merchandice? My “Turkish Delight” t-shirt has been my Golden Boy for the Bucks’ wins.
We only get about $3 per shirt and I think something like 25 have been sold so far (we get paid quarterly by SBN, so I don’t have the numbers off hand). We donated $100 when we started so we’ll make the next donation when we get our shirt royalties, probably in July.
by Frank Madden on Apr 30, 2010 5:27 PM CDT up reply actions
No wonder why Josh Smith is pissed at Milwaukee
Even musical performances aren’t safe from state budget shortfalls. The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, which is currently subject to the state’s sales tax, is now fighting the tax on admission to its performances.
The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra’s performances are currently considered entertainment events and are subject to the state’s sales tax. But the Orchestra is arguing that its concerts are primarily educational or charitable, and therefore shouldn’t be taxed.
The Wisconsin Supreme Court heard arguments at the end of the year and the Symphony Orchestra is still awaiting a decision.
thankyou CNN money…always on the pulse
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