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Watch: How To Turn The Bruins Ice to Celtics Court

Author Jeff Gorra

It was a quick transition to flip the page on the Bruins season ending and the Celtics next playoff round beginning. Emotionally and physically. The Bruins ice at TD Garden has to quickly turn into the Celtics hardwood court.

As fans poured out of the arena disappointed Sunday there were plenty of stadium staff members who had to stay for a few more hours. They needed to get ready for the excited fans that were going to pour in on Monday. Approximately 22 hours after the Florida Panthers scored the winning goal in overtime, the Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers were to tip off in the same spot.

This dance goes on for months every year during the NBA and NHL seasons. The Bruins and Celtics share the TD Garden. In fact, there are numerous cities that have the exact situation – where the venue goes from hockey to basketball and vice versa. The Dallas Mavericks and Dallas Stars are one example. The Dallas Morning News interviewed the Director of Operations for American Airlines Center,  who explained the conversion process. “It currently takes roughly three hours with a crew of 40 people to complete a changeover. If there’s a time crunch, a crew of 60 can get the time down to less than two hours,” Mose Boyer said.

But How?

In short, the ice is covered by preserving mats. The basketball hardwood is then brought out and assembled over the top. The court is broken into even pieces and puzzled into its standard 94 feet by 50 feet (plus boundaries) NBA floor. The hoops themselves also flex down or up and are wheeled into the stations on both ends. A NHL ice is larger than a basketball court. Therefore, the extra space on the floor is used to accommodate additional seats, ramps, and scoring tables.

Ice vs. Hardwood

The TD Garden capacity for a Bruins game is 17,850. The capacity for Celtics game (yes, at the same arena) is 19,156. There are a few circumstances per year where both Boston teams have a home game on the same day. With a 1pm and 8pm start (and a very efficient crew) the transformation can successfully occur. In addition to Dallas, other cities that have this professional ice to court scenario include – New York, Chicago, Denver, Washington DC, Los Angeles and Detroit.

Watch: How To Turn The Bruins Ice to Celtics Court

 

4 Top Shoe Brands The Boston Celtics Players Wear

The Boston Celtics have secured the second seed in the east. They will take on the seventh seed on Saturday afternoon. Here, we take a look at the shoes the Boston Celtics players wear as they step onto the court.

In the modern NBA, players have the flexibility to rock whatever color pattern they desire on their footwear. Do they go for comfort? Do the go for support? Or what looks best. It’s a personal preference and varies with each athlete. However, one consistent thing is that there are plenty of options.

Sneakers have long been the most popular basketball “gear.” There’s even a movie out about it. Air tells the riveting story of Nike, Michael Jordan, and the world-famous Air Jordan sneaker empire. Larry Bird was a Converse player. Paul “The Truth” Pierce was a Nike athlete. And Kevin Garnett primarily wore Adidas.

Another major difference in the present-day NBA sneaker game is that players opt for a lower cut. High tops used to be the clear choice due to their ankle support. But now with modern design, it’s all about flexibility and the shoe being lightweight.

Nike has been the official partner of NBA uniforms since the 2017-18 season. Their deal runs through the 2024-25 season. However, each player has the individual right to secure their own shoe deal. In addition to endorsement money, each player decides what look and feel works best for them. Furthermore, they must consider their body type.

The 2022-2023 Boston Celtics roster collectively has four shoe brand partners. They are Nike, Adidas, Puma, and Jordan/Jumpman. What’s fascinating is that not every player has their own signature shoe with their partnered brand. In fact, most do not. So, you very well could have a player sporting a Lebron shoe or a KD. Or even the “Zoom Freak” made famous by Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks, their Eastern Conference rival (and #1 seed).

Here are the brands and shoes the Boston Celtics players wear.

  • NIKE

    Nike is the most common shoe amongst Celtics players. You will see more swoosh logos upon the hardwood than any other. They players wearing Nike are: Jaylen Brown, Al Horford, Mike Muscala Malcom Brogdon, Mfiondu Kabengele, Luke Kornet, Payton Pritchard, Derrick White, Grant Williams, Robert Williams, JD Davis and Justin Champagnie.

    Jaylen Brown

    BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – JANUARY 09: The shoes of Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics during the first half of the game between the Chicago Bulls and the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on January 09, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts.

  • JORDAN

    Jason Tatum and Blake Griffin sport the infamous Jumpman logo. Though Jordan brand is still technically under the Nike umbrella, they operate as a standalone brand. Tatum is the only athlete on the team that has a signature shoe named after him. The Jordan Tatum 1 even comes in a Pink Lemonade colorway option.

    Jason Tatum - Jordan

    SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 21: A close up of the sneakers worn by Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center on March 21, 2023 in Sacramento, California.

  • ADIDAS

    Though they’ve recently steered more towards lifestyle and runners, Adidas still has a presence in the NBA. Danilo Gallinari wears Adidas.

    Adidas Basketball

    SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH – FEBRUARY 17: A general view of the atmosphere during the adidas Basketball “Remember The Why” media event on February 17, 2023 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

  • PUMA

    Last but not least, one of the Celtics most important players wears Puma. Marcus Smart resigned with Puma last year. Puma’s main U.S.A. corporate office is in Boston. It makes sense for them to pair with a local hometown pro. It doesn’t hurt that he is also the reigning Defensive Player of the Year.

    Puma - Marcus Smart

    CLEVELAND, OHIO – MARCH 06: The shoes of Marcus Smart #36 of the Boston Celtics during the third quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on March 06, 2023 in Cleveland, Ohio.

Jeff Gorra is a Boston-based writer who has been with Beasley Media Group since the beginning of 2023. He writes about restaurants and food, as well as sports and rock music. His experience also includes show hosting and in-depth creative writing in rock and reggae dub music. Jeff’s an avid surfer, New York Giants, and Pearl Jam fan, however, if you make unforgettable pizza, he is sure to find you.
Author Jeff Gorra
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