The Boston Who?

By Dan Gorenstein on Monday, January 24, 2005.

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Almost halfway into the season, the Boston Celtics are a half game out of first place in the NBA's Atlantic Division.

The team balances a few All-Star caliber veterans with a number of young players.

The Celtics have a great shot at making the playoffs for the fourth year in a row.

Why then asks New Hampshire Public Radio's Dan Gorenstein does the team seem to have so little support?

Almost halfway into the season, the Boston Celtics are a half game out of first place in the NBA's Atlantic Division.

The team balances a few All-Star caliber veterans with a number of young players.

The Celtics have a great shot at making the playoffs for the fourth year in a row.

Why then asks New Hampshire Public Radio's Dan Gorenstein does the team seem to have so little support?

At many points throughout last week's game against Chicago, the Bulls fans were a lot more animated than the some 13 thousand Celtics fans.

Sfx: Bulls cheering section

Midway through the first half the Celtics brass decided to invite people from the nose-bleed seats closer to the court.

In fact, the Miller Lite Musical Chairs timeout spoof riled up the crowd more than anything the Celtics did during the first three quarters.

But the clearest tell-tale sign of the Celtic's popularity were the rows of empty yellow seats.

It left an impression on Bulls guard Kirk Hinrich.

T.17
3:12 I was a little bit surprised b/c I just expect it there be a lot of people here. I don't know if it's b/c of the Patriots or whatever. What I expect when I come to Boston, it's a basketball town. And the seats would be filled up. But it was a little bit empty.

This year Boston ranks 24th out of 30 in home stadium attendance.

But you talk to Celtics players and coaches and you will hear a steady stream of optimistic phrases.

High quality veterans.

Great forward Paul Pierce.

Exciting young players.

An up-tempo playing style.

A supportive head coach in Doc Rivers.

But 8-year Celtics veteran Walter McCarty says it's been tough to stick with the team over the past few years.

T.17
1:56 there's been so much change. Is this going to be the Celtics, team, tehre's been a lot of trades, free agents, people want ot pay their money, they want to make sure this is the team they are going to support. The team they've come to love.

In just the past two seasons the Celtics have fired a popular head coach, trader former All-Star Antoine Walker, and changed ownership.

Of the 15 players on the team, 6 are new.

Sfx: game sound

Judging by the thin crowds, it appears many fans have taken a wait and see approach to this year's squad.

But as with almost any professional team, there are always die-hards.

Put Paul Turner and his son Joe in that category.

The Turners have traveled to the Fleet Center from Farmington, New Hampshire 6-10 times a season since the early 80's.

Theirs is the quintessential story of a father passing down the love of sport to his son.

And 28-year old Joe comes to the games in his beloved Green.

6:53 this jacket I bought right here at the Fleet Center, 75% off...the jacket I am wearing is green, button up, big Shamrock on the chest pocket, yellow cuffs...Celtics with a mesh trucker Celtics cap to boot.

Wardrobes aside, Joe likes the product he's seeing on the court.

5:03 I am positive, I think they are on the right track...I think they have a good team, pretty good players, they are lacking a good center....I like the Celtics offense, I like the faster style, the fast break...I think they are lacking on defense...overall I like the team.

The Turners aren't the only ones predicting good things for the Celts.

Team legend and television analyst Tommy Heinsohn says Boston's intangibles are reminiscent of the great teams of yesteryear.

T.2
4:45 what I like about, and I have been involved with this organization for a number of years, is the competitiveness of the young players. That's why I still get a thrill...these guys are the same temperament of the Bird-era teams. Teams I played on. They all want to win, and they go out and play hard.

Even if this year's team shows flashes of energy, excitement and possibly even greatness....does anybody care?

T.4
:30 they are about as close to irrelevant in terms of interest and support as I've ever seen them.

That's Peter May.

He has covered the Celtics since 1983.

He currently is the Boston Globe's NBA beat reporter.

1:25 ...It's too bad, b/c there used to be a real mutual relationship between the fans and the team, and it's sad to see that drop. But the numbers don't lie. Interest out there is minimal.

Interest is minimal.

But with the home team up four in the final moments against Chicago, a bunch of fans in the cheap seats still are invested.

And bellow out their love.

Sfx: game sound

For NHPR News, I'm DG.