'Going to destroy them:' Fans optimistic as Milwaukee Bucks' playoff run begins
MILWAUKEE -- The Milwaukee Bucks won Game 1 against the Detroit Pistons Sunday night, April 14 at Fiserv Forum in the first round of the NBA playoffs.
The noise level was intense inside Fiserv Forum for the playoff matchup, and it was clear there was home court advantage. Fans were pumped -- brushing off a little April snow as they made their way inside -- hoping by the end of the night they'd be able to celebrate the Game 1 win. No amount of snow could freeze the optimism.
"I think we're going to destroy them," said a fan.
"It's looking really great. Really great," said a fan.
Fans of the team with the NBA's best record haven't felt this way in a long time.
"We want to win. We're going to win. I'm excited!" said a fan.
"They haven't won a playoff series since I was a freshman in high school. It's weird to go into an optimism for once," said a fan.
During the playoffs, we're warned to expect the unexpected, and no one was hoping for accumulating snow in mid-April, but in a city where we're used to curve balls from Mother Nature, while an outdoor pregame party stayed pretty empty, fans like Leo Galban simply moved inside. Galban spends half the year in Arizona. He traded that warmth to experience "Bucks fever."
"The opposite of the excitement for the Bucks is the weather," said a fan.
"I think they are going to take it. I hope they go all the way and win it," said a fan.
"It's all about bringing family together in Milwaukee, seeing the Bucks go on their championship," said a fan.
Sunday's game was the first playoff matchup at Fiserv Forum, and at times, the crowd noise was deafening -- a tough atmosphere for the road team. As the No. 1 seed, the Bucks have home court advantage for the playoffs.
The Milwaukee Bucks beat the Pistons in all four games during the regular season. Ahead of the game, Coach Mike Budenholzer said he wasn't worried so much about the opponent as much as he was about his team and making sure they played to the best of their abilities.
"We are not a big matchup team. We are kind of -- coaching philosophy -- if somebody gets hot and we want to ride them and play them a little more, to some degree, you have to earn your minutes and earn what you are getting, so it's not that different, but the more healthy guys and harder decisions -- have to just try and keep everybody ready and engaged," said Coach Budenholzer.
With snow falling, FOX6 spoke with Chief Marketing Officer Dustin Godsey outside Fiserv Forum as fans began arriving early Sunday evening.
Fans visiting Fiserv Forum and the plaza were advised to arrive early and travel light -- with additional security enhancements implemented for the playoff season.
Officials said a bag search zone would be set up along the perimeter of the plaza in front of Fiserv Forum where all persons entering would be subject to search -- including fans visiting the arena, the plaza and the Entertainment Block businesses consisting of Good City Brewing, Punch Bowl Social and Drink Wisconsinbly.
Any backpacks or bags larger than 14” by 14” by 6” would not be permitted. It was recommended not to bring a bag unless necessary.
Go Bucks!