The Boston Celtics’ special court for the NBA’s new in-season tournament (IST) has rubbed fans and players alike the wrong way, with players concerned about the safety of the courts and fans miffed that the iconic parquet court was not at least incorporated into the design.
To make matters worse, it is not like the Celtics simply let the league get rid of the parquet element in the new IST court, with the league having rejected a request to use it in their design. That wrinkle, originally reported on by Heavy’s Steve Bulpett, was confirmed by the same via lead Boston Governor Wyc Grousbeck.
“We definitely requested that our center strip be parquet,” shared Grousbeck, “and they requested that we look like the other courts with a solid color.”
New episode of the Celtics Lab Podcast on YouTube via @CLNSMedia ☘️🧪📺
Ahead of Friday's Celtics-Sixers game, what is the pecking order in the East? With @Ky_Carlin
Sponsored by: @FDSportsbook https://t.co/9RACqdOkhl
— Celtics Lab Podcast (@CelticsLab) December 1, 2023
“People have generally said they think ours is one of the better looking (IST) courts,” he added. “I think ours looks fine. But we miss the parquet, and we would like to have it.”
Judging from the complaints, Grousbeck is far from alone.
Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:
Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi
YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ
