Quiet fans kill home-court advantage
By Joe Nguyen
nguyejos@mscd.edu

   Perhaps this is just the ranting of an idealistic fan, one who feels that the energy of the crowd could help his team win, but I have to say it: Nuggets fans suck.
Well, at least the ones at the Jazz game on March 29 did.
Three weeks ago, I was wired up, fired up, absolutely ready to go to the game with my friends. We walked into the arena and a feeling of pride overtook me. I had lower-level seats to watch my favorite team.
   When the lineups were announced, I stood up and cheered as loud as I could when I felt a nudge at my side. It was my friend, Mark, still sitting. I leaned over and he told me, “You’re the only one standing.”
   He was exaggerating, of course, but it sure felt that way. Most of the arena remained in their seats, politely clapping as if Phil Mickelson just sank a putt to make par on the 12th hole.
It didn’t get any better as the game went on. Carmelo Anthony made a couple of breakaway dunks early in the first. How did my section respond?
   I could count with one hand the number of people that stood up and cheered. Everyone else sat there lifeless, some staring, making it seem like we were wrong to support the home team.
   This isn’t the same team from the early and late ‘90s: The team that would struggle to win 20 games a season. This is the team that is running away with the division and has a legitimate superstar.
   Does it have to be a playoff game for the crowd to get into it?
I loved the atmosphere when San Antonio came into town last year. The arena was filled with the sound of deafening cheers all night long. It was a surreal feeling to start a chant of “Lets go    Nuggets” and hear the entire arena join in moments later. This is how it’s supposed to be.
At Bronco games, the thunderous roar of the crowd is the reason Invesco Field is one of the most hostile stadiums in the NFL. I can only imagine what it’s like for an opposing quarterback to hear 70,000 people yell “IN-COM-PLETE” after one of his receivers fails to make a catch.
   Even at Avs games, the noise and energy from the crowd is simply amazing after every goal. They play in the same building, so where’s the love for the Nuggs?
   I’ve been a die-hard fan for 15 years now. I remember listening to games on the radio as a 7-year-old, cheering when Reggie Williams drained a 12-foot jumper or as a rookie named Dikembe Mutombo swatted away some poor sap’s layup. To this day, my favorite player is still Todd Lichti, whose slashing drives to the hoop opened him up for an easy score. The playoffs are just around the corner and I hope the spectators will finally act like fans because I don’t understand the point of paying for tickets just to sit.