If you're a collector, these four games are for you.
When you think of an NBA game, you obviously think of the action on the floor. But beyond that, you tend to think of the "in-game experience," referring to music, halftime shows, etc.
You don't think as much about pre-game giveaways. Those type of things are generally reserved for baseball, which has a fuller home schedule and more games to attract fans to. Basketball, hockey and football, with more condensed home schedules, have traditionally counted on the urgency in the smaller number of games to get fans in the building, and then they focus on the in-game entertainment once you are there.
However, the Boston Celtics are blending things together this season, bringing back their bobblehead promotional series for four games.
As noted by Ian Inangelo of CelticsBlog, the dates are as follows:
Jan. 27. vs. Los Angeles Clippers: Neemias Queta bobblehead
Feb. 12 vs. Minnesota Timberwolves: Jayson Tatum bobblehead
March 11 vs. Memphis Grizzlies: Derrick White bobblehead
March 16 vs. Sacramento Kings: Payton Pritchard bobblehead
Interesting to note, part one
Each of these promotions takes place against a Western Conference team. Presumably that's because these are opponents that Celtics fans know the least about, so they might feel less incentivized to come to the games on their own. These bobbleheads will help provide a nudge to the fans to get them to the building anyways.
It's also interesting to note that these games all take place in the second half of the season, when there is likely to be bad weather which also disincentivizes fans from journeying out.
Interesting to note, part two
Even though the Timberwolves are a Western Conference team, they are a highly recognizable team because of Anthony Edwards. That team should be able to draw a crowd on its own. Did the C's really need a promotional item that day? Especially the Jayson Tatum bobblehead, which is likely to be the most coveted by fans? It seems like that Tatum bobblehead could have been held in reserve for the likes of the Kings, Grizzlies or New Orleans Pelicans, teams far less popular or well-known.
Up next for Boston
The preseason opener for the Celtics is set for Oct. 8. Boston will play four preseason games in total before kicking off the regular season on Oct. 20 against the Detroit Pistons in Detroit. The Pistons were the No. 1 seed in the playoffs last year while the Celtics were No. 2. Boston was beaten in the first round by Philadelphia.
