Orlando Magic @ Charlotte Bobcats 1/16

[Muttley]

Damn fun game to be at tonight!! Went from moaning and groaning, to mosoleum-like silence after getting down by even more after the half. I was seriously contemplating my exit strategy after the 3rd.....BUT something happened; something I've never seen from a Bobcats team before (yes, we've played scrappy "Bernie Ball" before, but now we have confidence and TALENT.) They started to chip away at the lead slowly but surely, then as we got below the 'teens, we fans started to actually have some hope that we could win this game. GW attacking like mad, Matty drilling 3s, GW hounding the offensive boards, JRich hitting 3s, forcing turnovers, blocking shots, just pestering the everloving crud out of the Magic, and before you knew it we were in the lead, the crowd was rockin', we made our FTs.....WE CLOSED OUT A GAME!!!!!!!!!!!!! Unbelievable!!!

Kudos to everybody on the 2nd level, where I sat tonight (and am really starting to love the guys up there!). They started an impromptu "DE-FENSE" chant without any cue from the loud-mouthed PA guy, it took hold and the majority of the arena was chanting it, and lo and behold if we didn't force a shot clock violation. It's like the players heard the gathering storm leading them on, and just stuck it to the Magic! I was giving 5 to people whom I had never seen before!

All that, and I got my GW authentic jersey, to boot!

Taking into account all these things, this was the best Bobcats game I've ever attended. (As if y'all couldn't tell!)

Now that's what I'm talking about!

Beagle, I was about to come on here and post my experience at the Arena last night, but you said it all to a T. I was in 218. High-5s abounded with people I didn't know. Loved the D-Fence chant that people got going (noticed the lady cats picked it up too!)

The first half was a struggle to watch, though. Waaayyy too much McInnis. Everytime I saw someone approach the scorer's table, I thought "okay, finally! Sam's gonna take Jeff out now." But he didn't. I was so frustrated that I waited for a moment of crowd silence (didn't have to wait long at this point) and yelled "Why is McInnis still playing?" as loud as I could. Jeff subsequently went down the court and shot a runner that hit the front/side of the rim and we did not get the rebound. Shortly thereafter, he was pulled. I'm telling myself I had a hand in reminding Sammy that Jeff was still on the floor! Makes me feel important.

Come the 3rd, though, something changed. On top of the lack of McInnis, we just looked smoother out there. It was beautiful. Went from one of the worst games I'd seen to one of the best.

Definitely made the drive down to Charlotte and back here to Raleighwood last night well worth it. "Winter Storm" be damned. I still managed to get back to my house by 12:15am!

For those that didn't get to witness the team's sudden "eruption" last night, then I feel for you, because it was sweet. Oh, and some extra thanks to Matty C for hitting some long 2s that put us back in the hunt. He is critical as our "unsung hero" in most games.

Let's see what we can do in NOLA.

[Mustachio]

Beagle and Muttley, i felt the same way. To be honest the crowds are still small at the arena... but damn if it isnt starting to feel like the coliseum of old.

The fans were pissed at the beginning with good reason, but then even with just around 5-6 thousand people... they began to make some noise... I even saw Jrich and Felton swinging their arms to pump the crowd up.... I havent seen that in a long time. well done.

Just a side note for all who might be interested. My season tickets are in section 216. That is one of three sections under the rock the rooftop thing. If your going to a game one night and need to buy tickets, try 216, 217, or 218 out. Its as low as you can sit in the upper bowl, which means decent seats at a decent price. Best value in the arena i think.

The fans in that area usually get rowdy and its in a great location. The massive liquor/beer bar is directly behind us... you know if you need some social lubrication. I just think it would make for a good time if that section started becoming the "real fan" section. not the whine and cheese fans down low, but the fans who get wild and boo Sam for stupid decisions involving Jeff McInnis

[Dunk]

We should find out where folks sit. I'm in 217 and Rock The Rooftop is a pretty cool spot. Hey, it's near the bar.

Things definitely seem to be turning around, fan-wise, as the they've tweaked the experience and the marketing and the team has played better.

[Muttley]

I think that's a great idea Must and Dunk. My parents got me two tickets for the Holiday 6-pack in 218 and they're great. Definitely the best value in the arena.

[TheBeagle]

I was in 229 (which are my "official" seats, unless my handicapped cousin comes with me), and we were jamming pretty good. The only thing about those "rock the rooftop" sections is that it's behind the basket. 229 is at a slight angle, but across from the 'Cats bench (yes, Keetch, I saw you in your orange T shirt ) Are there enough empty seats in those "rooftop" sections that I could come over next time I come solo? I'd be glad to get something started over there.

[timang]

congrats bobcats!

[Keetch]

Yeah Beagle you're making me wish I was up there in the upper deck with you. Except for a few guys behind me; most of the folks around me are corporate wine and cheesers; (is that rude?) Anyways, I really don't feel like I fit in :P

I posted sometime ago that a lot of them go to the bar in the tunnel before halftime and don't wander back out until almost the 4th quarter; which is just fricking amazing to me. The seats are mostly corporate gift tickets I suppose and a lot of good people for sure. I see a lot of young families with small children too. But not too many hardcore fans like us.

Keep rocking up there bro; we're feelin' you.

[Dunk]

It's Charlotte, there's a ton of corporate douches because of the banks (and I work at one of them). I sit with some other season ticket holders that are just regular guys that are super hard core. A father/son duo hat seem to stand and yell at the refs for 48 straight minutes. It's hilarious.