The Great Raptors Pizza Controversy
By Walter DubowecOnce again, the Great Toronto Raptors Pizza Controversy has raised its ugly head after last night's convincing win over the Charlotte Bobcats.
It has also raised the ire of some media types including Doug Smith of the Toronto Star, Eric Smith of the Raptors radio team and numerous 'purist' fans in many online chat forums and on radio call-in shows.
Amazingly, Chuck Swirsky spent an entire hour taking calls from Raptors fans discussing Pizza-Gate - even though Swirsk didn't seem to have a problem with the fans wanting a free slice.
Over the years I have attended many games which approached the 100 point mark and had the potential for Free Pizza. Interestingly enough, I have never once redeemed my game ticket for a slice of pizza - so my comments are not driven by my insatiable hunger for pepperoni pizza.
I was in attendance at last night's controversial Raptors/Bobcats game along with my ten year old son (whose J-J-J JAMario Moon sign was shown twice on the Sportsnet broadcast). Here's my take on the issue.
It's a non issue. The fans' chants for Free Pizza and mock boos at the end of the game were absolutely HARMLESS.
Time to move on people. Let the fans have fun!
In his blog, Doug Smith mentioned someone at the game who felt the fans' booing was 'disgusting'. Come on now. Enough with the over reactions.
Raptor fans were simply having fun in a blow-out game. The booing was generally good-natured and tongue-in-cheek. My son and other young fans around us were simply supporting a promotion which the Toronto Raptors themselves put on along with Pizza Pizza.
Make no mistake, this is a Toronto Raptors team-supported promotion which I would suggest is the most popular one they run. The fans love it. The scoreboard encourages the fans to react.
The Raptors bench was into Free Pizza, too
I sat right near the Raptors bench and the Raptor players (led by Chris Bosh) were getting into the whole Pizza thing with the fans. They were yucking it up with the rest of us.
When Carlos Delfino missed a free throw in the final minute, even he showed his displeasure with the miss because he knew the 'pizza' implications. It was really quite humourous.
And when the fans booed Darrick Martin at the end for not hoisting up the potential winning Pizza Shot, the bench was having a good laugh and D-Mart had a smirk on his face.
The basketball purists can't handle 'fun'
Unfortunately, some fans and media members fancy themselves to be 'basketball purists' who fear that loud music, free pizza promotions, arena pyrotechnics and team mascots damage the integrity of the game.
Guys, deal with it. Its all part of the entertainment excitement that the NBA delivers. I'm fifty-one years old and I love the atmosphere!
If you want to follow a 'purist' sport, then go watch baseball and enjoy your nap!
The bad sportsmanship issue
The other ridiculous argument put forth by some is that it would be a display of bad sportsmanship for the Raptors to take the final shot, despite the fact that the paying fans wanted it to happen.
Again, this is laughable. A last second jump shot in a blow-out game would be a display of poor sportsmanship???
What am I missing here?
I watched OUR coach (who I like) spend the entire game launching f-bombs at the referees, the Bobcats and even his own team. I watched players on both sides use all kinds of questionable language while trash-talking their opponent .... and somehow that's OK ...... yet a jump shot for pizza sets a bad example for our kids??? Huh?
Look, the reaction from Toronto fans is the same as in other cities across the NBA who have similar promotions with pizza, tacos, hot dogs and donuts. And don't blame the fans. The ACC scoreboard reminds fans that Free Pizza is getting closer and encourages them to react.
I hope that those who are so offended by the fans' reaction to an innocent and fun free pizza promotion loosen up. Its only a game meant to entertain the fans (who by the way, spend a lot of money to support the Raptors).
The Pizza cheers and the mock booing was harmless.
Get over it. Somehow I suspect the sport of basketball will survive!
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