The Boston Celtics have an impressive fireworks display before each home game, but as you can see on the right, it unfortunately (and predictably) leaves a heavy fog over the court for much of the first quarter. Eventually the smoke rises to the rafters, but it couldn't happen soon enough for Ben Wallace last night, who left the game with allergies apparently aggravated by the smoke:
"You know it's a tough place for allergies, but no one has warned me," Wallace said. "That's when it started - headaches. Then it got worse. I got lightheaded and my head started spinning."If the Celtics can't improve the ventilation, it's probably time they tweak their pre-game show. Plenty of teams incorporate pyrotechnics into their introductions without making the game feel like it's being played in the back of a smoky bar. It's annoying enough to watch a game on TV though the fog, so having a player actually forced out as a result of it should be the final straw.
Wallace, the team's third-leading rebounder, left the game in the first quarter with what was originally called "dizziness" and never returned. He said he expects to play Game 3 in Cleveland on Saturday night.
"I got lightheaded," he said. "There was smoke in the first quarter. You can't play basketball with your head spinning like that."
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Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 1)
1. Ventilation in the Boston Garden is terrible;
The worst of any Stadium.
Posted at 10:07AM on May 9th 2008 by frank
2. The only person I've ever heard bitch about it is Wallace. Boo friggin Hoo
Posted at 11:39AM on May 9th 2008 by Jaelyn
3. The smoke screen worked along with the loose boards in the parquet floor. Sheeewww... don't tell anyone.
Posted at 12:36PM on May 9th 2008 by Radmanaustin
4. Wallace will be alright at home in cleveland. At least they will be able to change his diaper on the court instead of in back. He needs to wash the sand out of his vagina and play ball. Boston in 5
Posted at 2:04PM on May 9th 2008 by angryguy77
5. Wow. Desperation at its best.
Not only for Ben Wallace, but even this author (Matt Watson).
Matt, how about a more interesting story that is quickly becoming a conspiracy, like, LeBron James' flopping artistry and all of the forced calls?
The pyrotechnics? Be men!
Posted at 2:16PM on May 9th 2008 by Alexa
6. I was at the game last night. It may look smokey on tv but by no means is it all consuming. Smoke rises and it does so quickly...it doesn't linger on the court. I've never before heard of someone - a player, fan, member of the media - complain about it. Also, this is Boston - we have seasons - it is Spring. Pick up some Claridin-D and play some basketball.
Posted at 6:42PM on May 9th 2008 by Lindsey
7. The ghost of Red (and his alleged bag of 'dirty' tricks)returns!
Posted at 10:55AM on May 10th 2008 by Nick O'Leary