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Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Each week, we send out questions to the most plugged-in Golden State Warriors fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to join Reacts.
The Golden State Warriors season may be over, but I’m guessing you’ve still turned on the TV for some of the 2021 NBA playoffs. We’re only a week in, but the drama and excitement has been felt already.
But there’s one big difference separating the 2021 playoffs from last year’s: fans. Instead of being in a bubble without crowds, the NBA is playing the postseason with large crowds. The 16 teams involved in the playoffs all have fans in the building, with varying levels.
There have been some unfortunate hiccups, as Utah Jazz fans were ejected for saying inappropriate things to Ja Morant and his family, a New York Knicks fan was banned from the Garden for spitting on Trae Young, and a Philadelphia 76ers fan had his season tickets revoked for pouring popcorn on an injured Russell Westbrook.
Those are ugly stains, but everything else about the fan experience has been business as usual. Good business.
More than half of fans surveyed in the latest SB Nation Reacts poll said that the crowds have significantly enhanced their enjoyment of the playoffs. Only 16% said it didn’t have an impact.
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Even with fans in the plastic seats, most of us are watching the action from our couches with a more modestly-priced beer than the arenas sell. And we’ve got no shortage of compelling matchups to watch, even if the Warriors are already in vacation mode.
Surveyed fans felt that the matchup between the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers and the upstart Phoenix Suns would be the most entertaining series of the first round, and it’s hard to disagree with that.
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Poll
Which will be the most entertaining first round series?
This poll is closed
-
5%
Sixers — Wizards
(2 votes) -
7%
Jazz — Grizzlies
(3 votes) -
0%
Nets — Celtics
(0 votes) -
15%
Suns — Lakers
(6 votes) -
2%
Bucks — Heat
(1 vote) -
5%
Nuggets — Blazers
(2 votes) -
35%
Knicks — Hawks
(14 votes) -
28%
Clippers — Mavs
(11 votes)
To vote in the Reacts surveys and have your voice heard each week, sign up here. It’s fun!