It’s hard being a Pistons fan in Boston

by Matt Watson on May 24, 2008 3:32 AM EDT

I usually don't link to comments made on other blogs, but this is worthy of an exception. From BW in response to Dr. LIC's ode to Rodney Stuckey at Free Darko:

I watched the game from a bar in Boston last night... and as the 4th quarter wound down, I couldn't keep in my Detroit loyalties any longer. No big deal, I thought.

After the game ended, the guy to my right turned to me.

"It's not that I like the Celtics... I just moved here. I've lived in Pittsburgh, I grew up in Chicago. The Bulls are my team."

I nodded.

"I hate the Pistons."

He said it with an unexpected weight. I let the silence rest a beat too long and then tried to stammer out an uncomfortable "yeah" and whatever else would follow.

He shook his head.

"No, look. I hate my father." He rolled up his sleeves and pointed. "See these - these tattoos - I got them because I hate my dad so much."

We both looked up as Rip was giving the postgame interview.

He pointed at the screen.

"But I hate the Pistons more."

We went back to our beers and I faked a phone call a few minutes later. I wish I had something glib to wrap this up with (!) but the moment was too intense. Worth sharing, though, I think.

So, in a crude segue, where do Pistons fans in Boston watch a game without angry Chicagoans by way of Pittsburgh ruining the atmosphere?

Previously:
Where do fans in [LA | Chicago | NY | DC | anywhere else] watch Pistons games?

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Comments

Good. I hope he chokes on that hate. We love it. Hate away, you morons.

by Sauce1977 on May 24, 2008 5:42 AM EDT reply actions

My fingertips shoot lightning, and my irises turned blood red, if you must know, outsiders . . .

by Sauce1977 on May 24, 2008 5:42 AM EDT reply actions

I’m also a Pistons fan living in New England, and it’s brutal. Not a lick of interest in their team all last year, and then, suddenly they are good, and everyone out here acts like the 80s Celtics era never ended.

Just to be fair to the “hate” guy, though, I continually espoused to my friends how much I hate the Celtics throughout the entirety of the first two games. This included plenty of jabs about Paul Pierce being terribly overrated and Boston sucking when he alone was “the guy”.

Apologies for the rant, but I go to DBB for therapy when living in New England proves too much.

by DuuumarsDen on May 24, 2008 8:44 AM EDT reply actions

No, seriously: does anybody know a bar in Boston that will be hosting some Pistons fans tonight (Saturday)? My friend and I are from Michigan and would love to find a friendly place to have a few drinks and watch the game.

by Amy on May 24, 2008 8:54 AM EDT reply actions

Well, my friends and I watched both the games this season, and the two games of the playoffs, at the Garden. And, although we got almost beat up at the first game of the regular season, and about a pint of beer poured on us during the third game, the playoffs have been remarkably cordial.

One thing I have to say, the majority of Boston fans don’t understand (or care about) the basic rules of the game and think every call against them is “Bullshit”. I’m not saying that I, like any true fan, don’t have the blinders on some times, but c’mon 10+ Bullshit chants a game? Even after seeing the replay showing an obvious foul?? I’m lucky my girlfriend keeps stopping me from turning around and explaining things like if your foot is on the line for the restricted area, it can’t be a charge. Or else I’d have had my ass kicked by now…

by DanDan on May 24, 2008 10:22 AM EDT reply actions

DanDan: Thank you for your words. I couldn’t agree more. However, I couldn’t quite gather if you are a Pistons fan living in Boston or a Celtics fan. In the event you’re a Celtics fan, I am pleasantly surprised to find Celtics fans who don’t support the incessant whining of the general Garden crowd. It kind of reminds me of people thinking that most/all Pistons fans throw beer cups and fists.

by LawyerBoy on May 24, 2008 3:19 PM EDT reply actions

Oh no, I’m a longtime Pistons fan.

I’ve been in Boston for 7 years now though. What a difference a year makes though. For the exact same tickets last year, I literally paid half the price and I could go down near courtside most games by the end of the third. Now, it’s completely different.

by DanDan on May 25, 2008 1:40 AM EDT reply actions