George Hill's comments about the LAL attendance

[chube]

“It sucks. It was 70 (Lakers fans) – 30 (Pacers fans) out there. These are the same people that wants autographs after the game. We’re out there in the community. We’re doing our job, doing what we’re supposed to do on and off the court. Something has to change. I tip my hat to this team. We’ve been trouble free. Been out in the community shaking hands, we’re winning. It shouldn’t feel like an away game, especially with an important like this. Tonight, that’s what it felt like.”

“They always say your fans are your sixth man and you feed off that energy. Energy is down and we turn the ball over and we’re hearing cheers. We’re missing shots and we’re hearing cheers. That kind of brings your head down cause you know you’re at home. It shouldn’t be like that. Now we see how it is. We have to move forward, don’t worry about. Stay focus on what’s in this locker room and don’t worry about the rest.”

Last night was worse than usual it seems. Still a ton of Lakers bandwagoners.

[Jake0890]

Oh yeah. It's always been that way. Lakers are pretty huge here, and everyone wants to see them. You could tell just by watching it on TV.

Hopefully it picks up. I would hate for this to continue and for us to lose our team.

[Rondo2Hondo]

Indiana should always have an NBA team, I don't know why the team struggles for support. As a Celtic fan, I have always admired Indiana basketball. The Reggie/Smits era, the JO/ Artest teams, onto the current team of tough guys. I love the hard brand of basketball played and I'm surprised that the fanbase is so fickle. Could it be race related? Or are people still put off after the Malice at the Palace?

[FreeRon]

There are a few issues keeping fans away. I used to go to 5 or 6 games a year. I last went to a game 2 years ago. It was in the middle of winter, and before the final buzzer rang they had ushers asking people to move towards the exits and watch the rest of the game from there. Ten minutes after the buzzer, with hundreds of people headed towards the doors, they closed all but one of the exits to get people out quicker. Never mind the fact that it was the furthest exit from our parking spot. The other 3 times I went that year weren't quite that bad, but the workers there were still incredibly rude. I know they don't make a lot of money, but I'm not going to pay, find parking, and walk to and from the game to be asked to inconvenience myself so the ushers can get home early. I'm especially not doing that when it's 25 degrees and windy outside. The other issue, obviously, is that Indiana is a basketball state and the only basketball being played in the NBA is between teams that Stern doesn't care about. We all know the champion isn't going to be Toronto, Milwaukee, Indiana, etc.

[The Laker Kid]

There are a few issues keeping fans away. I used to go to 5 or 6 games a year. I last went to a game 2 years ago. It was in the middle of winter, and before the final buzzer rang they had ushers asking people to move towards the exits and watch the rest of the game from there. Ten minutes after the buzzer, with hundreds of people headed towards the doors, they closed all but one of the exits to get people out quicker. Never mind the fact that it was the furthest exit from our parking spot. The other 3 times I went that year weren't quite that bad, but the workers there were still incredibly rude. I know they don't make a lot of money, but I'm not going to pay, find parking, and walk to and from the game to be asked to inconvenience myself so the ushers can get home early. I'm especially not doing that when it's 25 degrees and windy outside.

Colin Cowherd on ESPN 710 talked about this issue a couple of weeks ago, and a caller said exactly the same thing. I think you should bring this up to the Pacers management so they can do something about it. This is something that will not be tolerated at Staples center. You are the paying customer, if you don't like the way the staff treats everyone, you should speak up.

[chube]

Bill Simmons (yeah, I know) on ABC just mentioned something about how the Pacers would sell out in a heartbeat in Seattle. I know there's a lot that has to happen between some comment by Bill Simmons and an actual move, but just the thought of it makes me shiver.

PEOPLE (not on this board necessarily) need to get their butts to the games!

[Wizop]

I've had season or half-season tickets for decades. I've never been asked to move toward an exit. I can only imagine that this person was standing in an aisle and ushers everywhere will tell someone in an aisle to return to their seat or keep moving toward the exits.

I was at Friday's game. yes, there were people there expecting to cheer for Kobe. the big names always bring out their fans. but the crowd didn't cost us that game. we played poorly and then repeated the performance the next night. either we are no where near as good as we think we are or the team is in the emotional dumps over Granger's inability to contribute.

[FreeRon]

It was a game 2 years ago against the Bulls. There weren't many people there, and most that were there were rooting for the Bulls. I went with 8 other people, though, and we were all sitting in our seats. It was the only time I've sat in the nosebleeds, but even though the tickets were cheap I was pretty shocked that they were expecting us to move before the game was even over.

[Wizop]

I have no reason to doubt you but I've been going to games since way back when we were in the ABA and played at the fairgrounds and never experienced anything like that.

[FlutieX]

I hope you guys get arena fan support the team is asking for. No doubt Indy fans are passionate fans, I'd say they just want to be sure the team is for real in the long run. I have to say I'm jealous of how the Pacers have built the team and made great choices with coaching and personnel. Good luck going forward!

Sucks to see many bandwagon LA fans, but I think this happens in a lot of arenas simply based on their history.

[Wizop]

great crowd last night for the Bucks. it was announced as a sell-out. not sure it was totally full but it was close.

[Starkiller]

great crowd last night for the Bucks. it was announced as a sell-out. not sure it was totally full but it was close.

Family night. 4 tickets. 4 T-shirts. Meal vouchers. All for $60. That and being a Friday night probably helped out.