Are we becoming as complacent and spoiled as wings fans? Say it isn't so.

Despite tremendous record Pistons having trouble filling seats (http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080104/SPORTS03/301040007/1051/rss16)



Since the beginning of the 2007-08 NBA season, public address announcer John Mason's call of "Deeeeeetroit Basketbaaaaaaalllll" is lacking the intensity of years past at the Palace.

What is the reason for this?

Is Mason losing his edge?

Are people bored with the chant?

The actual reason is that the Pistons are not selling out games like they have in years past. Sure, they change the consecutive sell-out streak banner every game and announce the event as sold out, but every seat is clearly not filled.

Attend any Pistons game against a team not named the Celtics and you will see my point. Many tickets are being sold for less than normal face-value, making it convenient to get a decent upper bowl seat for only $10. And for good reason.

The upper-bowl has been the area hit hardest. Usually the hub for energy at Pistons' games, the 200-level has basically been a good spot to take a nap during the first few months of the season.

When the Palace Patrol went up there to start chants during a Dec. 14 game against the Atlanta Hawks, it was hard to tell if they were trying to get the sparse crowd involved in the game or wake them from their slumber.

So what is the reason for fans not attending?

The Pistons are currently 10 games ahead of second place Cleveland in the Central Division and in position to have one of the top two spots in the Eastern Conference playoffs. They are also in the midst of a 10-game winning streak and are the only team to beat the 27-3 Boston Celtics at the Garden.

Many people might say it is because of Michigan's poor economy. If you are having a tough time paying your bills, you are certainly not spending $30-$40 to watch professional basketball.

But for everyone that wants to blame the economy, they will need to look no further than the attendance numbers this upcoming summer at Comerica Park. Middle of the week games against the Kansas City Royals will be near capacity. The Tigers also play twice the home games at a venue that is twice the size of the Palace.

The fact is, fans are bored with the Pistons during the regular season. Acquiring Rodney Stuckey and Arron Afflalo in the draft and Jarvis Hayes through free agency are nice movies but they are not of the sexy, seat-filler variety.

Fans are cautiously optimistic because they have seen this movie before. They expect long playoff runs and know that is when the real Pistons' season begins.

After reaching the Eastern Conference Finals each of the last five seasons and having only one Championship to show for it has made fans restless.

Despite a solid core-group, if the Pistons fail to make the Finals, things will get even worse next season.

Been saying this for 2 years. Nice to see the media catch up.

Good article, can't say I disagree with any of it.

as someone that actually goes to the games, the palace has had much better attendance this year than the last two years. The fans that go are hardly "bored," nor does the Palace look empty.

This article is 1-2 years late. This year it's completely off-base. The Palace has that 2004 feel to it again.

BTW I thought Pistons fans (except for me) were already Wings fans. :-P

IBKsGMFKL

In Before Kstat...

man, I'm terrible at this.

There more people in stands here than in Charlotte. In higher volumes of mass.

Primoz, welcome to the board. We've been waiting for you (to post).

I've been to 8 games this year, and none of them have been even close to sold out...especially the game Vs. Golden State when not even 50% of the arena was filled, and they counted it as a sellout...

Of course, we haven't had any of the teams that draw huge crowds here yet.

There more people in stands here than in Charlotte. In higher volumes of mass.
sup Slovenian gangsta homie?

It's been pretty obvious that they're trying to drum up attendance with their continued pimping of 4 for $89 specials.

4 TICKETS
4 SOFT DRINKS
4 HOT DOGS

dont forget the holiday grab bag

!!

Nice work, darko. I totally forgot about the HOLIDAY GRAB BAG!

What do you think is inside said grab bag?

!!

Nice work, darko. I totally forgot about the HOLIDAY GRAB BAG!

What do you think is inside said grab bag?


4 TICKETS
4 SOFT DRINKS
4 HOT DOGS

loooool

IBKsGMFKL
In Before K Stat Gets Made For Keith Langlois?

That was going to be my guess. And lets just hope Johnny Hustle works as hard in the forums as he does on the court. He's going to be diving for a loose thread and almost taking out Karl, Tahoe, and Glenn before you know it.

In Before K Stat Gets Made For Keith Langlois?

:thumbsup: :langlois:

The Holiday Grab Bag contains one of Erin Nicole's used tampons...

http://www.nba.com/media/pistons/erinnicole_295_060321.jpg

No thanks then.

That was rather..........disgusting.

Wil, that chick better be older than 16.

Wil, that chick better be older than 16.


She's like 25, she does the traffic on Channel 7, and she does all the fan promos at the Pistons' home games...

I think she used to be part of AutoMotion (unconfirmed), but shes at every game...

Ok, well, still...the thought of her used tampon is fucking gross. Stop it now.

It's not a tampon, it's an HPT.

the Clippers game drew a packed house...why, I don't know.

The Cavs game was packed, for obvious reasons.

The Rockets game was pretty good, but there were a lot of chinese there.

The Warriors and Nets games were pretty empty, but weather had a big part in both of those games.

Milwaukee game was empty but filled in by halftime. It was new year's eve, though.

Overall, I thought the fans have been great this year. They've really taken to Jason Maxiell the way they used to take to Jon Barry.

I would have to argue that part of the reason for questionable attendance this year has to be the schedule they've played so far. Blaha or someone mentioned tonight it's the 2nd easiest strength of schedule in the league so far.
Hawks, Sixers, Knicks, Bobcats, Warriors, Grizzlies, Bucks - who can blame people for not wanting to see those games?
Also, fans are just starting to realize what we have in terms of the bench, and starting to think this year might be special again. In that regard, yes, fans may be becoming Red Wing fan-ish.
But I think a look at the home games left on the schedule gives plenty of reason to believe that attendance will be up.
As for fans leaving early, they might start to stick around to see what Stuckey time and Amir Johnson are all about.