3 In the Key – Toronto Raptors Game-Day Preview vs. Nets

imo TJ Bosh etc owe the fans the fans owe nothing to the players.

We pay for our tickets to be entertained. We expect full value for our dollars.

when I go to a movie I don't expect the projector to be stoped 1/2 way through.

Resting people when we go to games expecting to see them is wrong.

Maybe these players would like it if a family cancelled their 4-6 season tickets or the casual unwashed fans who expects to get the odd autograph or wants to voice their opinion of the play quite going to watch.

Maybe they would like to play in a empty building because of the lack of entertainmant.

These guys are just people getting paid very well to do a job and when I don't do my job well I hear about it. They get told about their performance by booing lack of cheering etc.

If they don't like it get another job!

Hoops was a waste of time last night turned on the baseball game. It was my right!

Yup the fans were quiet,can you blame them!!!! did they have any reason to cheer!!!
Bosh wants to hear more from the fans....How about the fans wanting more from their Raps.
Jack Armstong the man...never holds back,calls it the way it is.....
Bosh says that the fans expects a lot from him,therefore he expects a lot from the fans...
I think the entire Raptor organisation will be under the microscope,during the playoffs & in the post season.
In regards to regular fans versus the season ticket holder....
The $12.00 Sprite Zone ticket buyer is as important as the Courtsides.
Keep in mind,you will see more $250.00 jerseys up there then you will in the Platinums.

CB4 Youtube message to fans. He has a point...
Other arenas are putting us to shame right now.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1TXKpGeHK8

Axl,
I just watched the Chris Bosh's utube message to the fans.
I can appreciate what he is saying,and I'm glad he is pumped up.
Having said that ,the Raps are ninth in the league in attendance.
Bosh did say that the ACC rocked during the playoffs.
I guess the funeral march pace backing/entering the playoffs could very well be the reason for the quiet crowd.
Lets give the Nets the welcome they deserve,lets eliminate them mathematically tonight.
Payback's a bitch.

I think part of the problem is canadian fans are super competitive. They want the win so bad, they just can't cheer unless supreme effort is being given on the floor.

Last year's cinderella season has exacerbated that big time.

On the flip side, the player with the most internal motivation is always going to be better. I mean, no one cheers for you on the road. I don't think micheal jordan would ever say the fans need to step up when he was on the court.

I really wish they'd get rid of the in-game music and sound track. Herbie saying the names of who scored is just fine.
Obviously the first few games of this would be weird as the fans are no longer being "spoon fed" when to cheer etc. But after a few games things would liven up I think and fans would even perhaps start their own chants at the right times. It would be a good experiment at least? And I know I'd enjoy the games alot more.

You are right about how a franchise was born though. Compare to TFC. They don't have in game sound tracks etc, but the crowd is always rowdy and noisy, and that is with a really poor team on the field. It's a different mindset at TFC games, and a hell of a lot less suits. Everyone seems more engaged. I can only imagine what they'd be like if the team was any good!

I know most football (sorry....soccer) chants have no place in an NBA arena, but some form of it would be good. Though it would take a lot to replicate that in the ACC.

What do people think?

the in game music is terrible. the odd time they don't play music you realize how nice it is just to hear the ball bouncing, the players yelling and the squeeking of the shoes.
To side with the ACC though, the raps do have a very young croud at their games and maybe they cater to them.

Axl - thanks for the link, wasn't around when I posted this late last night. After watching it, I'm wondering if he didn't make it to try and counter any negativity towards his statements...sort of a chance to further explain himself.

It's tough though because there are a lot of factors involved here - it's not just a matter of fans sitting on their hands at each game. And like you said, d279, there's a reason the upper bowl sections are the ones referred to by in-game entertainment as "loud city."

Beginner's Luck - I was actually going to reference Toronto FC in this post and you're bang on. They rolled the FC out just like they would have for futbol games in Europe so as to foster that sort of environment. I think if BC wants to keep overhauling things, he should turn his attention to the in-game pieces of the puzzle as well.

Speaking of BC, seems like he's not too happy about the way the season has unfolded. Good to hear and Grange has a good summary of how things went down here:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/blogs/wbbasketball

Chris Bosh’s half time reference to the funeral type atmosphere at the ACC on Wednesday was appropriate, ‘cause a lot of the hopes and dreams of Raptors fans died over the last 6 weeks. When I was watching the first half of the Milwaukee game and Charlie V was going bananas on the Raptors’ abhorrent "defence" I too was thinking "HERE WE GO AGAIN" fully expecting another game to be given away to a lesser opponent.

I love Bosh, and he has given everything possible to this franchise and it’s fans over his career, but this was a public relations miss-step to put it mildly. I understand completely what he’s trying to say ("…come on fans we need your support!") however, I think he did a terrible job of articulating it. I understand why, he’s frustrated, this has been a frustrating season for the Raptors. Their have been significant injuries and players such as Bargnani, Kapono, Delfino and others have not produced up to expectations, leaving Bosh to shoulder a HUGE load. However, word to the wise, don’t alienate your fan base especially coming off loosing 15 of 21 freaken games. If I was a casual fan, I would get turned off by that.

axl,

Thanks for posting that link to CB4 TV. Now that was much better! Bosh recognized the Raps poor play and encouraged us instead of chastising us out of frustration. Kudos to CB4 for, I think he realized that perception is often reality and the perception of his previous statements was negative. Now let’s go to the ACC tonight and support our team and boo the crap out of Wince Carter. LOL!

I didn't read the article today or any of the comments but I will later on.

Franchise: Just wanted to let you know that I check drafexpress regularly and they have started a profile for Devoe but theres nothing written in it yet. Perhaps if he can impress at the game the profile will come a bit quicker....

Great site once again

The loudest fans are in the Sprite Zone, the worst vantage point in the Arena.
Maybe they could hook up a speaker from the Sprite Zone down beside the Raptor bench. Then Bosh might think we're more like the fans in Utah...

Yeah society is dumbed down beyond recognition I assume from what it was merely a generation ago. Great point, I absolutely like where you're going there....

But what about the Leafs(barf)? They are one of the oldest teams in the NHL, as are the MTL Habs however go to a Habs game the fans go friggin bonkers there while ACC Leafs games are unbelievably quiet in comparison.

The only time Leafs fans make noise is when they are at a visiting arena, or annoying you on the subway.

I actually think CB4 may have a point about the last few games....but I would argue the ACC has one of the top ten loudest crowds in the league for basketball over the years.

Ok looks like draftexpress just updated day 2....and once again Devoe impressed....a lot of sites really get the hype machine going....but this isn't one of them. So when they say how good he is...i tend to believe it.

http://www.draftexpress.com/article/Nike-Hoop-Summit-Report--Day-Two-/

Bosh’s comment regarding (lack of) vocal support at the ACC is a subject of interest to me. To understand the silence at recent home games one has to understand the Canadian culture.

We are a hockey nation. The majority of fans bring that mentality to all other team sport that they embrace. Win or lose, you play tough to the end. It is no coincidence that fans still talk of Oakley or JYD and several others who played with a tenaciousness that touched the soul of fans. How many fans collectively held their tongues when Vince Carter occasionally was pictured rolling on the floor in abject pain after a hard foul only to play with reckless abandon a few plays later?

Although this squad is arguable more talented than last year, too many games this season fans witnessed quick acquiesce when the opponent was on a 4th quarter roll or unobstructed access on opponent’s drive to the hoop. There was more fight in last year’s team than this edition.

When Raptors start to play with passion for entire game, fans will rock the roof…book it. It’s the Canadian way.

Well said, oldschool. And to add I think hoops fans in canada are a little sensitve to losing. It makes those inevitable racism-tinged hoops vs. hockey arguments at parties that much harder to take.

Great breakdown everyone on the ACC fans. But I think you give them too much credit - how many of the platinum seat holders even knew that the bucks weren't even very good?

Agreed - TFC fans are nuts. I've been to a few games and while I don't even like soccer that much, you could actually see how the crow energy affected the players.

Also - a suggestion: enough with the soulja boy soundtrack on every frikin Raps possession. It's corny on a whole new level.

Just stirring the pot...Arenas can come off the bench !!!

great article as usual.

it has been said before, but is worth repeating...that stupid "ev-ree-buh-dee-clap-your-hands" thing has gotta go...

Its fans like Davl Chris is talking about...are jealous because sport athletes make big bucks. Have u ever hear that the fans are the 6th man..what that means is if the first 5 is not doing well the 6th man need to step up their game. I was watching Golden State last night they were up 16 and in 4 min they were down 6 and jacking up shots..did the fans boo no, the fans rise in unison and tried to cheer their team back. and it worked. that is what CB is talking about. If you ask any Americans about fans they all say Toronto has the worst fans in the leage and yet we are 9th in attendance. Basketball is not tennis, noise help the plays..as Bosh said it makes them play harder, hussle harder and Davl CB4 always bring his game, he was the one diving for loose balls in the first quarter last night..so I don't have a problem with effort from Chris... You fans are very moronic and I totally dissagree with Jack last night, its the fans duty to help your team if you can. Dont be worried about the cost of your ticket, stay home and let the real fans get the tickets and go to the game....RAPS4LIFE

Well I've obviously never been to the ACC so I shouldn't really say much about this, but let me give you my two eurocents :-)

Usually the american media compares to the noise level in europen soccer stadiums and points to the cultural differences, but i don't think that's the main issue. I believe it has all to do with the meaningness of the matches.

Looking at it from the point of view of an european fan (and season ticket holder for my beloved soccer team Espanyol), it would be very hard for me to get pumped up about a regular season NBA game. In a 82-game season with playoffs to come later, a single game is quite meaningless no matter how hyped up. Compare that to european national soccer leagues where there are no playoffs and almost every single match matters: top teams are fighting for the title, mid-class teams are fighting for a spot in next year's euro-wide cup tournaments, and most importantly the bad teams are fighting like crazy to avoid relegation to second division... That last bit changes everything, I can tell you from experience that rooting for your team to avoid relegation makes you really passioante, can you imagine the current NBA with the Heat or the Sonics fighting to avoid relegation to the NBDL or something? I know it isn't even remotely possible for a billion other reasons, but it'd sure as hell eliminate the tanking issue :-)

With all that said, I just watched CB4's video and I agree that he explains himself very nicely, the funeral comparison sounded a bit harsh but now I better understand what he means and pretty much agree with him.

To add to my point, let me also say that in the spanish basketball league (ACB) which has playoffs, the crowd's behaviour in regular season games is much similar to that in the NBA. Nobody gets that excited unless it's the end of the season and the home team is playing to avoid relegation to second division. Also some games are hot because of historical rivalries (FC Barcelona-Madrid) but that's about it.

Thanks Franchise for bringing up the Grange piece on Colangelo. There was one particular quote that really irks me:

"At the same time, when you look at he (Bargnani) and Chris together, you're talking about, in effect, two finesse players, playing alongside each other. We have to get tougher as a group — whether we have to get more rebounding out of the three position, or Andrea's got to become a better rebounder, all of the above. It's got to happen, and it's got to come in some various forms."t

What bothers me, is this was evident all of last season. It was freaking obvious. Why the hell would you go out and waste our cap space on Kapono, (especially knowing of Garbo’s injuries) lock up more money by signing Joey Grahm and Humphries to extensions? Also, if Bosh is a finesse player, why draft another finesse player and cross your fingers and hope they somehow figure out how to defend and rebound together? I know I’ve been hammering this point home for a while now but it just gets to me. At least it seems as though BC gets it now.

I have noticed that the crowd seems more quick-to-boo this season, and I figured it was down to bitter "I've given up on the Leafs!" fans. Whoever said that the TFC crowd was awesome despite being a lousy team - I think the crowd might be great _because_ the team is lousy. The fans that show up to support a bad team - those are the best fans. I can remember during the bad old days when Jalen would get on a hot streak in the 4th and cut a 15 point deficit to 6 - now that was a rocking crowd! But, success changes things...

"Also - a suggestion: enough with the soulja boy soundtrack on every frikin Raps possession. It's corny on a whole new level. "

Yep...we've talked about this every year on the site but I think Toronto's in-game entertainment is one of the worst in the league. Other places do the dumb "ev-ree-buh-dee-clap-your-hands" too but combined with the other gimmicks and 4 Corners, it's a kaleidascope of annoyance.

Old School - I'd take that even a step further and say it's not just a "Canadian hockey thing," but a blue collar thing as well. People forget that there was a time in the late 90's when the Pistons didn't sell out every game, fans booed their own players, and when you'd go to the arena you'd see nearly as many Raps fans for a game between Toronto and Detroit. I think it's a similar mentality; your team doesn't play hard and give max effort on the court, then why get excited about games?

Raps4Life - I get what you're saying in terms of the fans being the sixth man. Fine. But why the hell does an uber-competitive athlete like Bosh need to be "hyped up?" His team is playing for the best possible seeding, and blew a ton of early chances. Isn't that enough to get him going? Isn't it concerning AS A FAN that he needs the extra push?

Saying it would be nice to have the fans more involved and loud etc, etc, is like saying it would be nice for Bosh to make quicker decisions with the ball in the post at times. Both would be nice, but it doesn't always happen. It's a two-way street.

Franchise its playoff time..The Raptors are in there will be 14 other team that would do anything to be in the playoff, so lets help the team, we have a good team, they went in a slump at a bad time but the Raps are a good squad, Remember the last game against Boston, that's how BC envisioned the Raps playing. so don't encourage the fans to be quiet because the team is not playing well at this point...We Raps fans have to have a different mind set comes playoffs and remember all you fans that worship the ground that the Pistons walked on, they go bounce form the finals last year by the Cavs, they just got beat by Philly so they are not God they can be beaten and I personally feel the Raps will play Detroit a lot better than they would play the Magic..why...because no one will expect the Raps to win that series except me and a few real Raps fans and the players and coaches. So the Raps will be loose because they have nothing to loose and you have to watch out for a good team that is playing loose. They can beat anyone at anytime, so the Pistons can keep tanking games to meet us in the playoffs it will be a first round exit for bad boys of basketball....Lets get load Toronto....go Bosh we got this....Raps4Life

Overboard says:
April 11th, 2008
Raps4Life - I get what you're saying in terms of the fans being the sixth man. Fine. But why the hell does an uber-competitive athlete like Bosh need to be "hyped up?" His team is playing for the best possible seeding, and blew a ton of early chances. Isn't that enough to get him going? Isn't it concerning AS A FAN that he needs the extra push?

Saying it would be nice to have the fans more involved and loud etc, etc, is like saying it would be nice for Bosh to make quicker decisions with the ball in the post at times. Both would be nice, but it doesn't always happen. It's a two-way street.

thanks for posting that it was alot kinder than the post I had typed up.

Raps re-read my post I never said anything about being jealous of the $$$ they make

I said it was their Job to entertain us!!!!

Thats why I go to the games!
Heck even the broadcast team pointed out in recent games the lack of effort and desperation the raptors were playing with. (and they get paid to promote the product)

If the value is not there the fans will not come and there will not be a team, (or they may boo the team its their right)

Value!!!! Look at the people in the buildings such as Miami Jersey Charlotte etc. Should a true fan still go to the games if there is no value? Just to root their team on?

Overboard.. that is exactly my point we as fans do criticise the players its just that we are not in a position like Bosh to get it all over national tv, But watching the game on Wed, I knew Bosh would say something even before he did. If you remember Charlie V was lighting it up and the Raps fans was actually more vocal with his baskets than with Bosh's. If you remember Bosh had a dunk and had to signal to the fans to make some noise, Charlie V hit a 3 and you could hear the rumblings in the ACC. Come on Rap fans that just pathetic, you are there to cheer for your team not the other guys. I love CV, Raps drafted him but if he is going off, he should be hearing some boos, you don't show him love, he is the enemy now. Yet TJ miss a 3 with the team 1 point down and he hear the boos. We don't need the leafs mentality at the Raps game, this is basketball not hockey....I could go on but I think you all know where I stand....Love my Raps...Lets get LOUD, LOUDER, LOUDER, LOUDEST....Bring on the Pistons..Raps have no fear..the playoffs is a different season....RAPS4LIFE

I was at the Bobcats game they lost and sitting in the lower bowl. The atmosphere was CRAZY. It was loud, it was aggressive and they blew a lead by playing poorly.

I get that Bosh wants to make a statement about needing fan support, but I think Raptor fans have more than held up their end of the stick.

Ellie - Bang on, that's exactly what I mean.

Raps4Life - Um...where did I say that I was encouraging fans to be quiet?? If anything, I was explaining why they weren't maybe as loud as they should be sometimes.

And that takes into account what you said Sergi. I'm sorry, but even some of the world's most ardent fans aren't ALWAYS going to get up for playing certain teams with whom they have no rivalry or who simply are terrible. Sort of like how no NBA player (aside from maybe Kobe or KG presently) can claim with 100 per cent honesty that they've never dogged a bit once or twice over an 82 game schedule.

Franchise - These whippet snappers don’t know how good they have it. Back in the day…lmao.

MY PREDICTION:
NJ NETS 109 TOR RAPTORS 105
JEFFERSON 28 BOSH 26
CARTER 23 FORD 14
SWIFT 14 NESTEROVIC 16
BOONE 8 PARKER 22
HARRIS 17

Wow, if you haven't heard Brian Colangelo's interview with Chuck Swirsky on the Fan today, you have to have a listen. I've been waiting to hear BC's comments on the team's recent play and the whole TJ issue. Here is a link:

http://www.fan590.com/media.jsp?content=20080411_144947_7560

Here's a summary of what BC said:

1. About what has effected Kapono's performance:
(a) He has been under-utilized;
(b) there has been uncertainty in the lineup (clearly a shot at Sam Mitchell);
(c) reducancy and inconsistency at the SF
position;

2. Bargnani's performance:
(a) His skill and upside are still high but he has has had a poor year;
(b) the team needs to do a better job coaching and developing Bargnani;
(c) BC is still high on Bargnani;
(d) the team may not have put Bargnani in a position to succeed - I think this is another clear shot at the coaching staff for being inconsistent with Bargnani's role and minutes;

3. On Calderon and TJ and whether they can co-exist:
(a) The team will re-sign Calderon;
(b) The issue of whether they can co-exist is legitimate issue and concern;
(c) He and the coaching staff will re-evaluate in the summer whether they need to make a change;
(d)BC said words to the effect that "to some degree he can understand TJ's plight since when they brought him in he was supposed to be a starter and has always been a starter but at the same time you want people to be team-oriented and do what is best for the team because winning should be the most important thing". It sounds pretty clear that BC is not happy with how TJ handled the backup role and may look to trade TJ in the summer. His use of the words "to some degree...he can understand his plight - but being team-oriented and winning is the most important thing" are telling word of what BC thinks about how TJ handled the back-up role.

4. On the playoffs:

Colangelo tells it like it is - the team could win a playoff round but it will take hard work, preparation and a lot of things to fall into place.

You have got to love this guy - he pulls no punches and tells it like it is. Also, its clear he is extremely upset with the team's performance and some of his disappointment seems directed at the coaching staff (ie. as it relates to Kapono and Bargnani).

Franchise and Howland, I would love to hear your comments and analysis of BC's comments.

Wow, BC defends Bargnani and Kapono... why am I not surprised.

Raps4Life

It is hard to cheer for the raptors when they are getting beat and the players on the bench are showing only defeated body language long faces etc but the fans should be pushing them on with cheering lol thats too funny

Personally, I can understand Bosh's position, but the Raptors tans and Toronto fans in general are the type that ask teams to "show us first" before we cheer. We have fanatics, but it's very Canadian, I think, to really process what the team's doing before cheering. I remember a long time ago in the first year of the franchise, the Raptors were playing the San Antonio Spurs, were down by a ton, and the fans started cheering madly for the team. Why? Because the team started making a small comeback with four or five alley-oops in a row to give the fans something to cheer about. It's hard when we see a team that's disappointed us all year against a team that we're expecting to crush. Ironically, it was a year ago that Bosh questioned the fans for booing the Raptors when they faced the Bucks in Toronto and lost. And heck, that was in the middle of a miracle season. Is it right? Is it wrong? I guess we're just the types to want evidence to support our cheers.

OK THAT IS IT!!!
Trade TJ for whatever we can get. The return no longer matters, this guy is a metastasizing, malignant cancerous growth. Did anyone else notice his play at the end of the half there? It was clearly a whining statement about the success of the team while Jose was in. Ok, so he comes in and first thing, puts absolutely no effort into sticking with Harris on a screen n' roll which leads to an open shot for the Nets. Then he pulls a MeJ at the other end and misses a contested shot. Next time Harris comes down and gets so open for a 3 (he actually missed it) that TJ would not have been able to touch him if he took 4 giant leaps in the general direction of Harris (and there was no screen that even freed up Harris for this opportunity, it was just sheer laziness on the part of TJ). Then, on the rebound for this miss, Bosh, Bargs and Diop are battling for it, and the only other guy around is TJ. He literally looked about as interested in helping battle for the board as I am to see my mom naked. Then, with 30 ticks left on the clock, he does his usual wait until 7 seconds are left to get the play going, beats his man, has Kapono (or Delfino, didn't get a clear look at who it was myself) wide open in the corner, actually seems to look up (for once) and notice him there, but still continues on towards the basket for another contested shot, and misses. Then to finish it all off, on the rebound from this miss, he fails to cover Harris on the way back, and he almost ends up with an easy lay-up, if not for Bosh. I absolutely despise this guy. He is what is wrong with professional sports. I don't care if he scores 50 in the 2nd half, this guy has to go.

Having seen the Suns vs. Mavs live last Sunday, I have to agree with Bosh that the ACC has nothing on Planet Orange. But then again, we have very little to cheer about over the past month or so. As it stands, all we ask for is a hard-fought first round by the Raps, and they can start by giving it to Vince and the Nets tonight.

Branden, how'd you type that all in so fast as the play progressed?

That does sound pretty bad...

(edited by the HQ for formatting)

Wooooooooohhhhhhhhhhhho!!!
Wow Branden, Stop the TJ Hate bro. Forderon played well. Hopefully we can win out, and take on orlando HOT! here's hoping!

Agreed. Lay off the TJ hate. Last few games his play has been much better. First third of season our PG situation was envy of most teams in the league. Lets not forget where we were prior to TJ and then Bosh being injured. That being said, his play at end of the half is what worries us all.
Solid win against a talented team is a good step. Shame Bargs shot wasn't falling, he did all else right. Our PG play was great. Bosh was Bosh. Delfino was huge. Lets carry this momentum and move up in the standings. Continue this roll heading into the playoffs and we present a tough matchup for whatever opponent.

After probably tooo many Stella

Forderon looking better every game...

I tried to do my small part to improve the in-game atmosphere - I emailed Pizza Pizza (and will email the Raptors as well) and asked them to change their free pizza promotion to any win regardless of score, rather than 100 points regardless of outcome.

I actually got a response from the Pizza Pizza media contact person... It seemed to be a bit more than just a "form letter" email, so who knows?

Agreed that the TJ rant was a slight 'heat of the moment' or 'knee-jerk' reaction, but please, if you somehow can watch that game over, closely watch TJ in the last 2 minutes of the 1st half before you decide I've gone off the deep-end. It was absolutely ridiculous how little effort he put into defense, and then turned into MeJ at the other end. On the other hand, he obviously had a strong 3rd quarter, and this was important in the win. I have just had it with his attitude, that is all.

I saw what you were talking about branden but a) tj has played that way since day one, hence the original 'who should start debate' b) he made up for it by playing a great thrird quarter c) calderon finished, so credit went where it was due because caldy's defense was huge early on

Nobody can blame Kapono's refusing to shoot 3-pointers on anybody but Kapono. He's been getting way too many minutes as it is - I thought the idea was that players were supposed to earn more minutes

I think We would be talking today about TJ's performance except His crazy off balance fade away jump shots in third went in. Really does anybody think they will get the ball at the end of a quarter from Him? That dunk would of been fantastic if He made it!!!!!!Boy has some hops!

Well put axl. Just a quick note though. Although I realize TJ has played this way since arriving to some degree, I just found it especially infuriating last night for one reason. With all of the troubles our PG's have had keeping guys in front of them this year, and the havoc this penetration has wreaked on our inside defence, nights where we are controlling this are awesome. Although Jose was having some trouble with Harris to start, he eventually got a hold of him (and owned Williams when he was on defensively as well), which allowed us to jump back into the game very quickly (due to the decline in open looks off PG penetration for the Nets). With all of this progress, you would think that TJ would come in intent on maintaining the defensive intensity (or at least be told by Sam to do so), recognizing it was the catalyst for their comeback. Instead, he comes in and does what I described. Its just too much with this guy sometimes.

It was a lapse for sure, one which could cost us in the playoffs, but bosh has had enough of those himself the last couple weeks.

And those guys make up for it unlike delfino, kapono and even moon, omg, sometimes they can't play at all. That's going to be the real problem come playoff time.

I think people need to get over the idea that every player has to be a "great locker room guy". You think everybody on/in San Antonio loves Bruce Bowen? I remember Tony Parker and Manu Ginobli taking a ton of criticism back in the day. "Why does the team stick with them?" "When will they reach their potential?"

Well they stuck with them and they've turned out nicely.

This fan noise and music decibel topic should be saved for the off season when there is no BB being played. No wonder Smitch gets terse with reporters when in the middle of a playoff positioning race the hot subject is canned enthusiasm instead of plays, tactics and stratagies.