TSP Venue Reviews; TD Banknorth Garden

One of us took a trip to the TD Banknorth Garden Sunday to take in the game between the Spurs and Celtics. The game took a familiar NBA tone, boring first 2 1/2 quarters followed by an intense final 18 minutes. As discussed in the Roundup the Celtics ended up winning by 8, however the game felt like it was missing something with Kevin Garnett out for the Celtics and Tony Parker missing from the Spurs.

As for the entire fan experience, it had its peaks and valleys. First of all, the parking situation was convenient and cheap compared to other big cities I have attended games in, we only paid $10 to park!! We had to walk about a 1/2 mile to the arena, but walking through the picturesque Boston Common, City Hall section of the city was well worth the trek. Something about walking in Boston makes me feel smarter, not sure why it just does. Me and the group I was with stopped at a sports bar right across from the arena named The Harp. Looking to get a quick burger and drink before the 1pm start of the game, we were surprised to find out that the bar did not serve alcohol until Noon!! Other then that the place was great and I bought a burger and a beer (Blue Moon) for $15.00, not bad at all.

Upon entering the arena I was expecting to feel the same ambiance that I feel when I walk inside Madison Square Garden. Although the arena is very nice and clean, it should be given it is only ten years old, there was no aura at all. From the epic stories I heard about the old Boston Garden, I honestly expected a little more mystique. There were plenty of places to eat and drink inside the arena however, the beers were an affordable $6.50.

Walking to my seats on the third level I was obviously nervous about how good of a seat (cost $41.00) I had purchased. To my pleasant surprise I was in the last row of the place, literally back against the cinder blocks, and the view was great! The championship and retired number banners are a sight to see and are definitely a staple of the old Boston Garden that give the TD Garden some old school credibility. Being up that high I really feel I had the true experience, in that I was around "real" fans and not the corporate mongers that fill the lower bowl. The place was rocking in pockets throughout the game. Most notably in the second quarter when the C's made a little run and they were of course boisterous in the all important fourth quarter. The fans I interacted with were knowledgable and knew their basketball in and out. Funniest convo I had during the game:

Me to a life long Celtics fan: "I was expecting a little more of an aura to this place, the fans are great but it is more pop-culture oriented then I expected from such a legendary franchise." (this is during a timeout when there are people dancing on the floor and people being interviewed in the stands)

Lifelong Celtics Fan: "I was just telling my son not only have they almost priced us out of this damn place, but in between timeouts I can't even talk about the game because it is like the damn circus in here. I swear next week they are going to have elephants."

All in all I would rate my experience at the game a B+. In hindsight I guess my expectations were unattainably high. I recommend going to this venue when you can, leave time however to stroll around Beantown either before or after the game. As far as the on court product goes the C's are a rare NBA team in this day and age because they play hard every regular season game so you are never going to feel like you wasted your money going to a game. With that said get out there and enjoy your team Celtics fans, before you get to amped though remember Doc Rivers is still your coach.