Lack of interest?

[Fez Hammersticks]

Is the mediocre product starting to impact attendance? This hasn't been the only home game this year with the sprinkling of read seats throughout the arena - mainly in the 200 level.

Maybe it was much ado about nothing, but the roster constructed by Neil has a mid-tier ceiling.

What say you?

 

[THE HCP]

That place was empty tonight huh?

 

[Haakzilla]

...ticket prices are more likely the culprit (that combined with easier access to stream games possibly)

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

Going to games to too expensive. Seriously like for four people to enjoy a night out, it'll cost at least $1200

 

[MickZagger]

Frustrating team to watch. Too many ill-advised shots. Lazy passes. From a talent standpoint, I think the record should be a lot better.

 

[BlazerBeav]

Sports attendance is down in general. They’ve exceeded the price point of the demand. That said, place was hardly empty tonight. Most of the league would kill for that draw during the week against Indiana.

 

[-Ace-]

A couple of Pacers fans were sitting behind me and I heard them mention a few times how dead the crowd was, and they were right. The biggest reaction of the game, both the cheering and the booing, was for the fan making his $5,000 shot, only to have it taken away (and later was given the money anyway).

I had more fun at the games during the season Felton was on the team. This year is a mess.

 

[KingSpeed]

Well we opened the season by losing 10 of first 17 home games. Our most fun wins weren't at Moda so I can see how that affected our crowd but we're turning it around now. 5 straight home wins! We have a schedule that gives us an opportunity to win all the remaining games this month. Let's do it!!!

 

[julius]

Going to games to too expensive. Seriously like for four people to enjoy a night out, it'll cost at least $1200

Maybe in LA it does...

 

[illmatic99]

We don't have a home court advantage anymore. I was watching some videos of the 09 season, and that place was hopping.

 

[SheedSoNasty]

Going to games to too expensive. Seriously like for four people to enjoy a night out, it'll cost at least $1200

What kind of expectation do you have for yourself and your company?

You can have 4 people go for $120

 

[julius]

We don't have a home court advantage anymore. I was watching some videos of the 09 season, and that place was hopping.

I think it helps if the team doesn't lose 6 in a row at home, and play like crap at home.

 

[RipCityWarrior]

Too many Home losses early zapped the life out of the season for most. People are less likely to want to shell out hard earned money for lack luster play and poor effort in my opinion. Just when it seems like they are turning the corner with a good win against a quality team, the go out and get embarrassed by a bottom feeder. They are playing down the their competition way too often.
They do however look like they might be turning the perverbial corner though or at least that is my hope!

 

[Nikolokolus]

There's nothing more boring than a treadmill team.

Its true that the NBA really is at it's most interesting when your team is either selling hope with a couple of young, high lottery picks, or when your team is in the thick of the championship chase. It boils down to a couple of factors: it's an incredibly long season, so individual games don't really mean much, and the only teams that matter at the end are those with a couple of top 10-15 players.

Maybe the trade deadline can change this team's trajectory? Until then, there's just not much to get up for night in and night out.

 

[Pinwheel1]

It boils down to a couple of factors: it's an incredibly long season, so individual games don't really mean much, and the only teams that matter at the end are those with a couple of top 10-15 players.

Maybe the trade deadline can change this team's trajectory? Until then, there's just not much to get up for night in and night out.

Yep it is a long season for the fans too. I was not there but wasn't the Spurs game (even with missing players) more energetic? That was just a week and half ago. So maybe the opponent was a factor too.

But I do think the fans could use a similar "boost of interest/hope " similar to what Nurk provided last year after the trade.

 

[blue9]

I had more fun at the games during the season Felton was on the team. This year is a mess.

Agreed. Not about the Felton-years, but the Z-Bo years. Price has a lot to do with it - getting free, or $20 seats to sit 100 level made those years much more fun than whatever it'd cost to go to a game today. And it's so much easier to root for a team you KNOW is bad, than a team that under-performs.
I can't remember the last time I watched so few games...this team is just boring ADONAL FOYLE! Ain't no way I'm gonna spend my BTC on this mess.

 

[tlongII]

A Thursday night game against Indiana is not going to be a big draw.

 

[Binx]

It’s very difficult for a team like Portland to rise to the top in today’s NBA. Free agents don’t want to come here, so you have to get lucky in the draft or make some brilliant trades. We haven’t done either in a while.

 

[noknobs]

This is nothing new, I've noticed the decline in home court advantage for several years now. Relative to the majority of the league people still go to the games, but they just sort of sit there for the most part (perhaps due to the legalization of weed). Sucks because it use to be one of the best home court advantages in the league.

I noticed the difference around 2013, which by no coincidence is around the time Chris McGowan arrived on the scene. Since then it seems he's done his best to strip away the identity and connection the team had with the city. From losing the name Rose Garden to getting rid of the longtime voices of the team in Mike and Mike.

 

[blazedanugz]

100% I’ve had season tix my whole life and since McGowan came in, the experience is not the same. Its like the authenticity is gone. They do corny intro videos now that nobody relates to. Just do highlights from previous games like they use to do.. dunks blocks. Things that fire fans up. I dont Want to see a comic book version of Evan Turner.
Even the music they play for momentum type situation time outs is weaakkkk. Whatever happened to they hey song!!!
Let’s not forget that it’s also the play of the team...
BRING BACK THE CHALUPA

 

[Rhal]

Ticket prices are a big reason I haven't been to a game this year. I can't just go to a game alone like I used to, its gotta be 3 tickets nowadays and with the prices the way they are and how much we have sucked at home its hard to justify.

 

[Haakzilla]

(perhaps due to the legalization of weed)

...OK, stopped laughing enough to type now -- I am not sure what is more funny here, the fact that you might actually believe this -or- the fact that you believe Blazers fans pre-legalization never showed up to the games high

 

[H.C.]

I attempt to go to a couple of big games a year.(last year was the exception)
I always sit in the 200 level.
There are always empty red seats in the 200 level.

Not really sure it's that big of a deal. I've never really gave it a second thought.
If I think about it, it could be people sitting and drinking alcohol or eating food. Or season ticket holders.
IDK I don't view it as that big of a deal.

 

[Natebishop3]

When you realize you're playing with a rigged deck, the game stops being fun.

It's like going to a party and they have those silly casino companies there that use fake money. Most of the thrill of gambling is from using real money. The games are pretty stupid if there's nothing to lose or gain. That's how our team feels right now. We're not bad enough to get a high pick, and we're not good enough to actually contend. We have no cap space and we have several free agents who will make it even worse this summer. There's just nothing to get excited about.

 

[Charcoal Filtered]

There has definitely been a change in philosophy but that is not necessarily a bad thing. Attendance was artificially boosted by selling cheap tickets or giving them away. Guessing revenue is up. Demand for my season seats that I sell on the secondary market has stayed about the same.

 

[e_blazer]

Nothing wrong with the Blazers' attendance figures at 9th best in the league. The last game was in the middle of the week against a mid-tier opponent. Yeah, it's not the glory days of continuous sellouts, but the team isn't at that level either.

http://www.espn.com/nba/attendance

 

[handiman]

Yeah, it's not the glory days of continuous sellouts, but the team isn't at that level either.

That early '90s sellout streak was bogus. You could buy tickets at the window 30 minutes before tip-off, for the hottest games of the season that were "sold out" well in advance.

I think I remember reading at some point later on that a sold out arena only requires a certain percentage of tickets be sold to qualify?

 

[noknobs]

...OK, stopped laughing enough to type now -- I am not sure what is more funny here, the fact that you might actually believe this -or- the fact that you believe Blazers fans pre-legalization never showed up to the games high

... Neither, it was just a joke.

 

[Charcoal Filtered]

That early '90s sellout streak was bogus. You could buy tickets at the window 30 minutes before tip-off, for the hottest games of the season that were "sold out" well in advance.

I think I remember reading at some point later on that a sold out arena only requires a certain percentage of tickets be sold to qualify?

Yes, sellouts are different than Standing Room Only. I think it only has to be 90% of capacity to be soldout.

It was nice to hear it get loud last night. Loved the reaction to the flop.

 

[BBert]

Yes, sellouts are different than Standing Room Only. I think it only has to be 90% of capacity to be soldout.

Also, what seems to escape some people, is that sellout refers to tickets sold, not butts in seats.