9:45pm Eastern
Following Wednesday night’s 111-93 win over the Milwaukee Bucks, Raptors forward Chris Bosh told the FAN he “wants more noise” from Raps’ fans at the ACC.
Much like Blue Jays outfielder, Dave Winfield in 1992 … Bosh is pleading for Toronto to bring more energy and enthusiasm to the arena … especially as the post-season approaches.
Bosh told Paul Jones and me that the ACC was so quiet on Wednesday during a key stretch in the first half that he thought “somebody died”!
The 3-time All Star admitted that Raptors’ fans are generally pretty good in terms of being vocal and passionate, but there’s definitely another level that they could bring it to … and Bosh wants to see – and HEAR – that level. He wants Toronto (and the ACC) to develop that same kind of rabid atmosphere that exists in places like Utah and Golden State.
In ’92 … as the Blue Jays were making their stretch run towards their first-ever World Series Championship, Winfield made a similar plea to the fans of Toronto … wanting more fan participation. His words obviously resonated throughout the city as t-shirts, buttons, and signs started popping up all over the place emblazoned with the slogan “Winfield Wants Noise”.
His challenge to the fans obviously worked … as the city helped cheer-on the team to their World Series win over the Atlanta Braves.
Will Bosh’s words have the same effect? Will “Bosh Wants Noise” sweep the city?
I guess it’s up to the fans.
E. Smith
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The ACC is so quiet because the real raps fans can’t afford the tickets. Most of the bottom bowl are corporate seats that go to people who aren’t even basketball fans, let alone Raptors fans.
- AnnaChris Bosh needs to understand that during the stretch that he was wanting noise the Raptors weren’t playing any defense still. They were relying on the Bucks taking quick shots and then hoping they’d score on the other end. Bosh should not be asking for noise.
- Aaron McMillanThe Raptors fans make the ACC one of the top 5 in the NBA in most loudest arenas. And it becomes loud when the raps deserve it. Just because Bosh was fired up, doesn’t mean the raps fans are wrong for not going bananas. The fans in Toronto have become quite knowledgeable and I believe will gradually become louder when the team gives them enough to cheer for and when the team fully deserves it. If Chris is looking for Championship fan sound from a team who’s been losing and happens to have a lead in the first/early second quarter without playing any defense he should think twice about speaking. Especially since we have been here since day one. I can appreciate his urgency; everyone on the raps are trying to make this a positive stretch run. Bosh shouldn’t worry, the fans will be there and send tremors don’t front street with their noise soon enough.
Bosh raises a great point. I believe the transition from enthusiastic fans to corporate Leaf killers started mid season when all hope was lost for the leafs. Get those NEGATIVE and Jealous Leaf fans out of the building. Anyone and
everyone knows that the citys JINX are the skepticisim and foul belief for the home team. When the games were stacked with real basketball fans the energy in the ACC would transcend within the play of our players, already playing at a high level, but the crowd is what puts or pushes the team play over the top.
And if you are asking the team to perform good before you cheer because they are professionals making lots of money, then you definately don’t belong in the same venue as the rest of us basketball fnas.
- BonoboI completely agree with bosh.
- Sidi remember the cavs game last month. the crowd was buzzing as if it was a game 7 knowing the raps could be the opponent.
maybe we need to get some of them tfc fans and bring out the “gangsta”.
i agree with aaron above play defense and the fans will respond.
- mariogo raptors!!!
Maybe if Bosh and his team didn’t blow 4th quarter leads to Charlotte and Atlanta, are a .500 team in the pathetic east and have a boring offense which consists or standing around then MAYBE the fans would have something to cheer about.
Oh, and the fact that MLSE are raising ticket prices again, for a .500 team is laughable. The Raptors are a playoff series win away from turning into the Maple Leafs.
- Brandon in TorontoChris shouldn’t be worried about the level of noise in the building during a game. He should focus on the task at hand, the rest will be sure to follow.
You guys are right, since the tickets aren’t free, it’s going to take some results to liven up the crowd.
- JamieGreat minds think a like Eric. I wrote the Dino Nation Blog on this same topic. Bosh has come a long way in how he uses the media to get his message out. Chris Bosh has grown up in front of Raptor fans eyes
- James Borbath