Brad Wanamaker played internationally for seven seasons before joining the Celtics two years ago, and got a taste of empty arenas when he played for Darussafaka Dogus and Fenerbahce in Istanbul.
Turkey’s politically-charged climate, coupled with some violent fan reactions, left Wanamaker and his teammates with the ability to hear the squeak of their own sneakers on occasion.
But even then it wasn’t a new experience for the Celtics guard. During his years playing for Roman Catholic High School in Philadelphia, trouble forced school officials to empty the stands after some incidents between the fans of Roman Catholic and its cross-city rival — Neumann Goretti.
“I played in games without fans against the team that was my rival,” said Wanamaker. “The year before we played against each other in the championship game, a big riot broke out after the game, so the next year we had to play with no fans.
“It was pretty deep because I went to a Catholic high school,” he said. “We had played in the championship game and my team ended up losing on a buzzer-beater and I don’t know what happened or how it expired, but next thing you know it was a full-out fight between student sections. Our penalty was no fans the next season, but then we ended up playing against each other in the championship again the next season, so they allowed fans to come to the championship game.”
Less violent, but far more insidious and dangerous reasons are behind Wanamaker’s next experience in front of empty stands. COVID-19 has forced resumption of the 2019-20 season into a bubble in Orlando.
But basketball is the same wherever it’s played, Wanamaker figures.
“AAU basketball is very similar to this situation. So I mean once the ball jumps off, it’ll feel normal,” he said.
The difference now, according to Wanamaker, will come from the inside. The lack of fans — especially the lack of Garden fans once the playoffs begin — will create an even greater need for self-motivation.
“It’s self-motivation in a way because you don’t have the fans to get you going on like a highlight play, so you really have to be strong within a team,” he said. “I think we have a good team here and I think we’ve got a good bond, so I think that would be to our advantage.
“But it was definitely different,” said Wanamaker. “You couldn’t get as hyped for some plays as you usually get, or the energy is different with the crowd. It’s your own energy that you have to bring. We’re human, so you’re not always up to par to play in the game sometimes, and you need little things to get you going. Sometimes fans help out with that. Here it’s going to have to be your teammates that you lean on more.”
Ultimately, though, it’s still the sport Wanamaker loves so much.
“I think it comes down to the love of basketball at the end of the day,” he said. “If you really love the game of basketball, once you get out there, I don’t think the fans will play a big part. Once the ball is tipped off, I think everybody will get in that element of just competing and wanting to win and be the best player on the floor.
“I think it will be great, hopefully we’re all not mic’d up or they don’t pick up too much of the language, because guys definitely will be talking trash, but I think it will be fun and very competitive.”
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July 04, 2020 at 02:02AM
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Brad Wanamaker understands basketball without a crowd - Boston Herald
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