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Turmoil in 209

First of all, I ill say I've been a season ticket holder for four years.  I have seen my share of obnoxius fans.  In certain games (L*kers anyone?), emotions can run high.  I get that.

That being said, as I watch my team improve and people come back to the Garden, I am finding myself become increasingly disillusioned in certain outliers of Blazer Nation and the staff of our home building. 

The game started great.  There were several new fans around us and they were very excited to be at the game, singing, dancing, screaming, high fiving.  There were many kids who were enthralled by the spectacle and noise.  One row ahead of us was a couple proudly sporting their Golden State shirts.  As the game began it became apparent that they were serious fans, equally having as much fun as the Blazer faithful.  They loved their team, which was fun to see.  They weren't over the top, didn't get in anyone's face and graciously accepted the friendly ribbing from those around them.  Through it all, they enthusiatically cheered for their Warriors.  It as a true lovefest in upper 209.

Then, around halfway through the second quarter, the Blazers dropped the popcorn on 118.  Two guys (older father and son?) thought it would be fun to join in, and throw popcorn at said Warrior fans from their seats in the luxury box, a few feet away.  "Ha ha...good one" was the response.  It continued, and more Blazer fans were receiving the gift from above than the visiting fans.  The girl Warrior fan turned around and said she was allergic to popcorn (OK OK, maybe not ...but still) and sternly asked them to stop.  They did not.  The guy jumped in and told them to knock it off.  They responded with several choice words and spent the rest of the half chiding them and their friends (Blazer fans).  It was clearly getting out of control.  The guy Warrior fan went down to talk to our usher or whatever they are. 

Never did anyone enter the luxury box to check things out.  Not once did the usher come up to keep an eye on the situation.  Steadily the tone of the arguing increased.  I went and talked to an usher.  Nothing.  Language became more colorful, nasty names were thrown around, people were flipping each other off.  The guys in the box were telling other Blazer fans to dump their bags of popcorn on the Warrior fans.  When they declined, the guys then had some choice words for them as well.  A grandfather with his young grandson had enough and left the game.  It was sad to see.

Once the game ended many of us watched the situation out of the corners of our eyes.  The guys started walking up the stairs of the box, but then the older of the two decided he wasn't done... he came to the edge of the box and started threatening the group.  He was relentless.  I stayed in case he decided to come over the wall.  I could help restrain him if need be.  Who else was going to do it?  I pleaded with the other people in the box to get him out of there.  Take him into the hall or something.  He was out of control and it was time to go.  The richie richertons in said box didn't bat an eye, but rather sat drinking their beers and watched what was brewing, some even smiling.

Finally the friend of the Warrior fans, who had been the recipient of most of the threats and foul language, was fed up.  He took his beer a threw it at the guy, spraying many of us in the process.  I didn't mind.  The guy was stunned and had it coming.  Finally, a mousy usher comes up and starts chiding those of us in the 200 level and tried to actually push me into the aisle (nice try, maybe next time).  I explained the situation and asked the usher not to touch me.  The guy in the box then started calling me an a**h*** and the usher got a deer in the headlights look about him.  The usher said he couldn't do anything and I needed to leave, which I did, quietly fuming the whole way down as I was being called names.  Way to go usher dude.  Ever think about becoming an NBA ref?

It's nice to know the one guy who was trying to keep the peace was the guy who got the brunt of the 'security'.

I am very disappointed in the jerks from the luxury box.  I am embarrased for the kids and first timers who were around us.  I am mortified that no one at the Rose Garden did a thing to calm the situation.  I pay way too much to have to deal with this sort of thing.  That's my vent.  Thanks for reading. 

Anyone else noticing the Garden becoming more and more hostile?  I read a post about the trouble in the three hundred level last week and it was disheartening to say the least.  Those of us who are not fighters try to do as we're told by the jumbotron and report any questionable behavior in the stands, but the crew from the Garden stands by and lets it continue.  It may not be long before something serious happens and it'll be too late.  Not sure I want to expose my kid to that.  Leaves a bad taste in my mouth and overshadows what would have been a great game.  Sad.

2 recs | Comment 28 comments

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the arena is definitely more hostile this year than last year. the boxes are often very rowdy. i would contact the team, ask to speak to the correct person and explain the situation in full. my guess is they would comp you tickets.

by Ben. on Jan 11, 2009 3:20 AM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

this is a shame

They LIED!!!

http://www.nba.com/news/miles_10_080919.html

by maid tu rek on Jan 11, 2009 3:33 AM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I saw a fight on halloween

But it was lame. Some dudes just pushed each other then threw up gang signs for five minutes. They were both escorted out though.

"When I have the ball, I experiment." #5

by Sabonis4Ever on Jan 11, 2009 3:42 AM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

That is sad

The friend(s) of those two Warriors fans probably are ashamed that the people they took to a game in the Garden couldn’t watch it in peace. And some Blazers fans got away with bad first impressions about the atmosphere as well. Hope the arena staff gets some more training to keep attention to things like that and stop such behavior early on.

by Norsktroll on Jan 11, 2009 5:35 AM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Right now, Portland fans remind me of the joke about how some guys drive a big truck to compensate ...

for coming up short in other areas. I understand that residing in the Pacific Northwest and being ingorned by larger meida markets is an annoying situation; however, that doesn’t award y’all the right to be jerks toward opposing fan bases. In all honestly, some of y’all may want to sit back, relax, and take a moment to put things in perspective.

Oh yeah, 2009 is closer to 1979 than 1977.

by AK1984 on Jan 11, 2009 6:45 AM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I understand that residing in the Pacific Northwest and being ingorned by larger meida markets is an annoying situation; however, that doesn’t award y’all the right to be jerks toward opposing fan bases.

That’s right, group us all together. Good work.

by Timmay! on Jan 11, 2009 9:46 AM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I live in the Pacific Northwest, too, and have found myself a part of very similar situations.

I, without a doubt, know how tough it is for us up here in the hinterland to get nationwide recognition.

Anyway, I stereotyped each and every one of us with my generalization here. We fit that mold, though.

by AK1984 on Jan 11, 2009 6:09 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

He has spoken.

"Aneurysm".

When Outlaw wins a game on a last-second shot, it’s called an "annthefaneurysm". QualityPie

by annthefan on Jan 11, 2009 12:17 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I'm going to start calling you Philip Nolan

I'm a Blazers fan and If you ban me from your blog, I'll sue you!

by tominhawaii on Jan 11, 2009 1:08 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Sometimes the opposing fans make it more fun.

At the B-Roy 50 pt. game against Phoenix, the 300-level section next to us had a contingent of Canadians, probably 15-20 of them, and mostly women. They were there to cheer for Steve Nash, and every single time the Suns scored, even on free throws, a high-pitched chorus of screams went up that sounded like Beatles fans in 1964. Granted, it was a little annoying, but they were so good-natured about it that everyone was pretty much amused. When the Blazers came back and won, the Canadians took their medicine graciously. I would’ve been very upset had some drunken yahoos messed with these people.

by Badalona Baddie on Jan 11, 2009 7:57 AM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Blazers crowd control

That really bites when you go to a game to have fun and something like that really ruins it. What I picked up on in your diatribe was utter lackiness on the part of the paid PTB usher and security personel to respond to a potential fracas. Seems like by now a system would be in place that understands the inherent liabilities of crowd control, especially when they’re allowed to quaff brewskis at an unrestrained rate.

Theres a point you made I took note of as common in most such situations. The “security” and “ushers” are ill-trained and un-professional for the most part. You get either the little Napoleans who front as tough guys or the part-time Walmart employee who turns the corner for fear he’s gonna be asked where something in hardware is located. Now, not everyone who works there fits into these two molds. Some bring credentials to the game such as a law enforcement back-ground, education, and physical restraint training and managing aggressive behavior skills. However, from the guys I know who do that, they are the ones who gravitate to the floor level mainly to flirt with the Blazer dancers and have their egos stroked with the palm of self-importance.

In a way, its too bad that girl didnt have the allegic reaction to the popcorn that would have brought about the lawsuit that might have opened the eyes of PTB officials to deal with crowd problems when they get reported instead of turning the blind eye to it.

"The mounting minde that climes the hauty cliftes...Intoxicats the braine with guiddy drifts, Then rowles, and reeles, and falles at length plum ripe" .--- From Thomas Hughes’ 1588 The Misfortunes of Arthur:

by bow4meow on Jan 11, 2009 9:05 AM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Instead of a beer...

Its too bad that guy didn’t have a brick in his pocket. People pay good money to go to the games, they shouldn’t have to worry about some jerk who probably paid nothing to be in that suite, throwing stuff and yelling insults at them.

I have been to events in the luxury suites… Half the people in them, have no interest in the game itself.

by tmundal on Jan 11, 2009 9:41 AM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I have been to events in the luxury suites… Half the people in them, have no interest in the game itself.

When I’ve been in luxury seats (not in Portland), it’s been for business transactions. One of my vendors has a suite, and they give you great seats to the game. Then they try to sell us additional services. No biggie, give it a fair listen, let them know if it’s useful. Talk about their service a bit overall too. No obligations.

The good news is that kind of stuff happens during the breaks. Even on business meetings, it’s all about watching the game and the vendor hopes you’ve having a bonding experience with them, for long term loyalty. Heck, that’s how they get their value out of the box.

If someone gets a luxury suite and shows no interest in the game all season, I wish they’d be kicked out. As you noted, it’s not all luxury suite residents. But it’s worth noting that many do get the “game first, everything else second” protocol.

by Timmay! on Jan 11, 2009 9:51 AM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

when i went to the luxury box,

it was all about the scene for everybody there, except me and my friend. there was also a lower lleval manegment guy who was new to the company that was there with his wife, and he watched the game, but would ignore the game to soscialize whenever the oprotunity arose. me and my friend grabbed the best seats and stayed focused on the free beer and the game. i didnt have enough of a buiseness sence at the time to understand y it was like that. i kan only assume that the incedent the OP describes is a direct result of a company rewarding their lower leval employees and that it was a luxury they were not accostomed to. i would certainly complain to the rose gardon. the massage will be passed on, becouse the comanies that are paying for those suites do NOT want idiotik low brow neighbors. that company will likely give out less tickets to the remidial workers after that. its a shame, kuz thats how i got in, but i was at least respectful of my oprotunity, even if i didnt understand it.

They LIED!!!

http://www.nba.com/news/miles_10_080919.html

by maid tu rek on Jan 11, 2009 10:37 AM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

You're absolutely correct

If someone misbehaves in a luxury box, a complaint is a must.

It’s likely any troublemakers will not get invited back, if it’s a business who owns the box.

by Timmay! on Jan 11, 2009 10:44 AM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

One of my neighbors is an usher

She’s good at smoothing over situations. But she’s also on the petite side and I have a hard time picturing her standing up to big (usually) drunk men. Next time I see her I’m going to ask more about her training and how they’re supposed to handle cases like this.

by Corvid on Jan 11, 2009 10:03 AM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

It would be interesting

to hear her response, as well as her thoughts on the RG crowd in general. I’ve never had a bad experience with the ushers/suite staff at the RG, but I’m with you in wondering how some of them deal with the idiots, especially when they’re not that physically imposing (as is the case for a lot of them – the woman who works my buddies section is incredibly nice/helpful, but she’s pushing 60 and is maybe 5’1). Could be as simple as getting on the walkie talkies and alerting the cops/other crowd control, but I’d love to hear her take.

Bayless has been testing the fences for weaknesses

by blazeraddict on Jan 11, 2009 12:27 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

That stinks

Unfortunate that a few idiots can ruin what should have been a fun night. I swear, some people go to the games and think all rules of normally acceptable behavior disappear because they’re at a sporting event.

The box dwellers can be some of the worst offenders. My firm has one (it’s basically a client development tool, so I’ll go if an account I’m on is being treated) and usually it’s a lot of fun, but there have been a couple times when I literally can’t believe what I’m seeing/hearing. Honestly, the best behaved fans in my experience are in the 300 level (a buddy has season tickets so i go with him often) – it gets rowdy, but I’ve never had a problem up there, my guess is the fact that people actually use the seats as fans/go to most of the games breeds some accountability. The 100s (get some work tics there from time to time as well) and the boxes are where I’ve heard the most offensive comments/seen people behave like clowns. Of course, the vast majority are there to enjoy the game, so I’m not trying to stereotype, just my observations.

Bayless has been testing the fences for weaknesses

by blazeraddict on Jan 11, 2009 10:09 AM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Talk with the police next time.......

Portland Police has officers at every game. They are both inside and outside the arena. If the ushers won’t help out, I would go grab one of them. They won’t put up with that crap.

by Natural on Jan 11, 2009 10:43 AM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

It's a disheartening

realization for me that were I to have a four-year-old, I wouldn’t want to bring him or her to a Blazers game. Some of my earliest and fondest memories of Blazerdom involve tagging along with my dad to games at the Coliseum in the early 90’s…I don’t doubt that it’s a large reason I’m such a diehard fan today, and I’d love to have my own kid(s) experience that.

But at every game I’ve been to this year, half a dozen or so, I’ve had at least a couple of drunken louts within earshot yelling things that I wouldn’t want my or any kid to hear. The Blazers bill their games as family entertainment — if they mean it, perhaps they should step in when they have fans screaming profanity at the players, telling them to go kill themselves, and other charming epithets…when they aren’t brawling amongst themselves in the stands.

by BlazersOrBust on Jan 11, 2009 11:08 AM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

+1000

"..[Travis Outlaw] could jump, grab a rafter, eat a sandwich, and then dunk.."
tmundal 12/30/07

by LetsBlaze on Jan 11, 2009 1:06 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Throwing stuff

crosses the line (where ever the hell that is)

Homer: "Yikes....a bear is eating my father!!"
Selma: "I'm Selma"
Homer: "A talking bear is eating my father!!"

by 92wastheyear on Jan 11, 2009 11:17 AM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

i had a very similar experience with an usher

this year as well. I actually had my son with me. That’s the only game he will go to this season b/c I honestly want to watch a game and enjoy the atmosphere rather than fight with rowdy fans and try to keep thrown beer off of me. And when I say “fight” i mean, inquire politely if you could kindly not say the F word soo loud b/c my 4 year old can hear you. And then defending myself against that drunk fan’s drunk indignant response. . .

Sorry about this. I would happily sign a petition to get you money back or something.

Sophia

Though patience be a tired mare, yet she will plod. - William Shakespeare

"He should have his face
shaved into the back of his head.. Then there would be no escape" OutlawisRejector on what Bayless' next haircut ought to be...

by BlazerFan1 on Jan 11, 2009 2:00 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Nice fans up top

I was at the game, my first since my dad took me to see MJ play, with some of my friends from the Bay. We were sitting in the tippy top of the Garden and had a great time. Everyone around us was nice allowed everyone to cheer for which ever team they support. Overall a great return to the Rose Garden and I would not want smatterings of drunken idiots to ruin Blazer games. Thanks nice people in 325.

Ducks Go!
694, bam!

by trumpetduck on Jan 11, 2009 2:31 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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