Wishing for the Day the Music Dies at NBA Arenas

This is my random weekend rant if you couldn’t tell already. It’s one of those things that’s always been there but for some reason has only struck me of late. And now I can’t get it out of my head. Whether you’re in an NBA arena, or watching the action on TV, see how long you can count without hearing some brain-cluttering noise kicked in from the arena PA. It’s absurd.

Now, granted we understand that teams are looking to fire up the fans, make their arenas loud and intimidating for opposing players and what-not. And, sure, it might be a little quiet when the speakers are turned off. But when did DJs become necessary in professional basketball? Would it be the worst thing ever for fans to hear the sounds of squeaking shoes? Maybe a coach barking out a play? Or, dare we say, some naturally-generated fan noise?

It’s bad enough we are deemed dumb enough to need constant cues to chant “de-fense” or “charge!” every three minutes. But the good ole organ has a place in sports. But in between we now have to listen to 50 Cent and Paul Oakenfold? Don’t get me wrong, I like the music. On my iPod. In my own ears.

Do you see this in football? Baseball? Hockey? We’re OK with some Hells Bells before a big third down play at the Meadowlands. I’m even alright with the whole Final Countdown thing in the last few minutes of a tight game at the Garden. But this incessant, mind-numbing noise artificially pumped into NBA arenas has got to go.

And that’s all I have to say about that. So, how’s that for a random Saturday rant? Yes, we are entering that slow time in the world of sports. We’re trying to battle through. Stick it out with us.