Opening night lived up to all the hype...making me very happy to have purchased some tickets this year.
Michael Wise of the Washington Post wrote an excellent opinion/analysis of last night's game here...
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/02/AR2007110202231.html
The following is an exerpt:
There are fewer things louder in sports than a throaty Boston crowd -- maybe Yankee Stadium circa 2001 or Madison Square Garden most of the 1990s. But that's about it. When these people get behind their teams, it produces a guttural emotion exceeding fanaticism and moving frighteningly toward religion.
This was the environment the Wizards found themselves in last night. Red Sox and Patriot players were littered throughout the building, evoking wild applause each time their mugs hit the Jumbotron screen.
"I have to say that was playoff atmosphere," Arenas said. "When the crowd is powerful like that it is going to be difficult to beat these guys."
Before the game, the Celtics players had to walk through a tunnel leading to the court. Alongside the right wall they were met by Bob Cousy, Satch Sanders, Jo Jo White, M.L. Carr -- Celtic Hall of Famers and cult heroes alike, showing up for the next generation.
Pierce even grabbed the microphone before tip-off, thanking the fans for their patience and promising change.