Led 2-1 in the NBA Finals, the Warriors faltered in the fourth quarter in Game 3, even though they had managed to take the lead before despite a disastrous start to the game. The performance of the Celtics is honorable but for Gary Payton II, the intense atmosphere of the TD Garden is also one of the keys to Boston’s success.
From our European eyes, accustomed to the explosive atmospheres of the legendary Euroleague halls or large football stadiums, it is sometimes difficult to grasp the atmosphere of an NBA arena. However, you can count on close to 20,000 white-hot supporters who push their team forward in a crash of echoes bouncing off all the walls of the huge structures that host the matches. In Boston, we rely even more on this notion of a boiling public. Historic franchise of the League, 17 times NBA champion… it gives you stands full of connoisseurs and especially people with Celtics DNA. A loss of the opponent’s ball? A blow to break the eardrums. A big award-winning shot, a revered dunk? We don’t even talk about it. Difficult for the team that moves to be able to concentrate when playing in the heart of a cauldron that seeks nothing but destabilization. And if the spectators ever notice that you’re starting to crack, it’s over: they won’t let you go. For Gary Payton II, who was asked after yesterday’s training what was the biggest difficulty during Game 3, it is the incandescent atmosphere that comes first.
“I would say it’s definitely the public. Each audience supports their team. Yesterday, they supported theirs. We have heard them. It was very loud, wild… But we have to overcome that. Go back, ignore it, and try to silence them. This audience makes a big difference. »
– Gary Payton II
Golden State coach Steve Kerr and Splash Bro Klay Thompson shared their feelings directly after the game. They protested sometimes harsh words against Draymond Green in particular, even though children were in the audience. We know that the TD Garden is never a gift, especially during the Playoffs… and we are very sorry for Payton 2.0, because it may well be even hotter in Game 4. The Celtics have the opportunity to recover a match point to convert in California, so it would be naïve to believe that the spectators will not be at least as wild as during the last meeting. We even take the bet that the atmosphere risks going another step in terms of intensity. Now, it should also be said in full. The Chase Center is far from being an EHPAD at nap time, it is even one of the hottest rooms in the NBA today. Gary can therefore underline that, but hard to complain when it’s the same price for the opponent at home.
Yes, the public is 110% involved in the encouragement and does not hesitate to push the opponent as soon as he shows the slightest sign of weakness… but we must not forget that we are in the NBA Finals guys. Nothing is easy on the pitch, why should it be in the stands?
Source declaration: asapsports.com
