Boston Celtics Season Opener

I went with fellow blogger RG to see the Boston Celtics season opener (read his write-up here). The game was sold out months in advance but I managed to successfully bid $80 for tickets with a face value of $60. I made sure my bids were reasonable by comparing them against the availability and asking prices on StubHub and Craig's List.

We were in Section 329 Row 2 which was just off center in the balcony. Honestly, given that I was a "beggar" and couldn't be a "chooser" when getting the tickets, we ended up with seats that I would have preferred right from the start. Whether it is a sporting event, play, or opera, I favor front row center balcony seats if I can get them.

Before the game started, there was a ceremony for the World Champion Red Sox and my Hunk-A-Lot Tim Wakefield was front and center. Next came recognition for the current success being enjoyed by the New England Patriots football team.



Here's a pic of Kevin Garnett's first regular-season point as a Celtic as it swishes through the basket.

The game was a blowout. But that doesn't mean the experience wasn't entertaining. I had more than a few laughs at the peanut gallery of young guys seated behind us. I swear, the accents made me feel like I was in Good Will Hunting.

In addition to the above mentioned pre-game ceremonies, there was one to honor Red Auerbach. The parquet floor was dedicated to him and they revealed his signature painted on the wood.

Shortly after, the Celtics Dancers came out to perform a routine...

Peanut Gallery: "Get off of Red you bunch of buzzards Git offa Red ya buncha buzzuhds! Yah, they just dedicated it ya buncha harlots hahlots."

Nearly every time down the court...

Peanut Gallery: "That was a foul foll!"

Criticizing official Dick Bavetta, who lost a charity foot race against Charles Barkley last year...

Peanut Gallery: "Bavetta losing loozin ta Bahkley. That was the highlight uh my year yeeuh!"

But the criticism wasn't reserved for the opposing team. The peanut gallery was equally suspicious of Celtics players further down the roster...

As the crowd chanted for "Sca-la-bri-ne," the peanut gallery punctuated it with "Sucks" on the downbeat. Then, after Scalabrine hit two consecutive 3 pointers, suddenly they joined in with the chant because, for that moment at least, Scalabrine no longer sucked. How fickle!

With two white Celtics players out on the court, there was some advice for the Celtics' coach Doc Rivers...

Peanut Gallery: "Doc, you have to get those ya gotta get dem white people off of the court offa the cahrt. They suck!"

We also got a kick out of the Lil' Phunk dancers during the (ESPN) television time outs. There was a young (8?) blonde boy with an outrageously huge mohawk haircut that commanded everyone's attention.

The Celtics won the game with a score of 102-83 and Kevin Garnett proved he was worth the trade and big salary with 22 points and 20 rebounds!
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