Booing is bought and paid for, but it doesn’t mean it’s always right. 

Whoever coined the phrase, “you never forget your first time,” was both a prophet and a genius.

That cliche certainly describes how l felt back in 1969 when attending Indiana Pacers games at the Fairgrounds Coliseum with my wonderful mother who was, without question, a rabid fan.

She’d take her hard-earned money from her job at the now defunct L.S. Ayres department store and buy us two tickets to watch some of the hoops being played locally in the upstart ABA, before capacity crowds that were both enthusiastic and loud.

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She was a hard-working woman from a blue-collar background and, while she loved being in attendance, there was no doubt about her ability to communicate with both the opposition as well as those officiating the contests.

I should point out that this was a woman who was respected in the community in which we lived and was active in both church and the schools l attended.

My mother was also a strong-willed woman who wasn’t afraid to speak out if she felt someone was wrong, and boy did she love to give an earful and then some to the visiting team at a game.

I’ll never forget the first time l saw her stand up and boo a bad call by the referee or, even worse in her opinion, a cheap shot from the opposition that placed the home team at a disadvantage.

How could a woman who weighed 110 pounds soaking wet be so vocal and boo so loudly when she chose to voice her displeasure? 

I was taken back by it but not overly concerned as l had to worry about locating and flagging down the cotton candy vendor instead of watching every second of the game as she did.

Myles Turner probably wishes some of the Pacer Nation were distracted by those selling concessions this past Monday night when he returned to Gainbridge Fieldhouse for the first time as a member of the Milwaukee Bucks, as most of those in attendance exercised their right to boo quite often.

It started when he came out to warm up, but really escalated when a video tribute prepared by his former team began to play prior to player introductions. 

The vocal disdain displayed by the fans was so loud that the audio was barely audible from where l was sitting and clearly denounced any love for Turner that might have been in the arena.

Each time Turner touched the ball in the initial quarter, he was again booed loudly and while his performance of seven points and three blocked shots in the period was indeed acceptable in my opinion, the Pacer faithful kept reminding Turner that he was both a turncoat and the enemy.

Yes, paying to get in does buy one an opportunity to express themselves about the game or in this case, the situation that’s surrounding it, but I’m one who feels Turner did deserve better from a loyal fan base he labored in front of for ten long seasons.

I was critical of his play quite often during those years and felt his ability to rebound the ball consistently was a problem, but never felt he wasn’t trying to play to the best of his ability every night he suited up. Many felt he never reached his potential, but l often reminded people that not every seven-footer is a superstar.

Sure, l scoffed at his passion for playing with Legos and his sense of style when it came to fashion, but he was a real solid citizen off the court and generous with children, especially those that were less fortunate than himself.

He was a bit enigmatic, but who isn’t sometime? Professional athletes live under a white-hot spotlight and, the last time l checked, they’re humans with the same flaws and idiosyncrasies that all of us naturally possess.

Turner didn’t come close to getting the same financial offer from the Pacers and he made a business decision that many have called greedy and ungrateful in terms of his zip code changing this summer.

Many reputable reports site a tremendous difference in what the Pacers initially offered and what Milwaukee ultimately paid him. So, l suggest what did Turner did was what any person would have done in that same situation. 

There’s a huge difference in what my mother did in terms of her booing and what happened Monday night. Turner knew it was coming but not with such veracity and disregard behind it. 

They paid to get in and thought they got their money’s worth – for both the ability to watch a really spirited game and to boo a man they now refer to as a traitor.

Somehow l think my mother would disagree with all of them. 

Danny Bridges, who wishes Myles Turner well and apologizes to him for the boos, can be reached at (317) 370-8447 or at bridgeshd@aol.com.