Over the next eight years, we played there a lot, and the fans got better and better. As two running teams playing at altitude, we had a special rivalry. Coaches Doug Moe of Denver and Frank Layden of Utah were both New Yorkers with history. We had some hellacious battles, and my receptions gradually got better. I still go back there once in a while to generally warm greetings. But what a way to start my career.
Denver was eight years of bliss. I was welcomed from the first day and felt at home. Eventually the team aged and was dismantled to rebuild. I was traded to Milwaukee. Since the Bucks were not conference rivals, I only got back to Denver once a season to play.
The first time was definitely emotional for me. The team went to the bottom to rebuild and only won 11 games the following season. The fans definitely longed for the good old days, and when the Bucks came in to play I was greeted with a big ovation.
After eight terrific years, I was close to everyone, from the season ticket holders, the ushers, the mascot and the team staff. Once the game started, the crowd treated me like I was still their player. Each basket was cheered, and I felt like I could have run for mayor.
After four seasons with the Bucks, I was traded to the Lakers in a salary cap move. The Bucks had fizzled and were pretty mediocre. Mike Dunleavy was brought in to rebuild the team, and fan support was light. He moved most of the veteran players so his young guys could develop.
Even though I was traded out of the conference and it was late in the season, the schedule had us playing in 
Milwaukee just a week later. James Worthy was the team captain and as a courtesy appointed me captain for the game. It was a very cool gesture on his part and it felt good to walk to midcourt for the captains’ meeting with my old teammates.
By this time of the season, the fans were pretty apathetic and my return didn’t make much of a splash. I received polite applause from the faithful but overall, the fans were pretty dead.
It was one of those times where I realized that it was time to move on. As a 13-year veteran on a rebuilding team, I had no real value to them, just a handful of local friends and no strong ties to the community. There was a real feeling of closure and completion.
Looking back on these experiences, I realize the difference between just playing for a team and being a part of the team. Community involvement is what makes the experience great. The real juice comes from the connection that a team develops between the fans and players. That connection is what makes the game special.
Paul and KG got to enjoy their return to Boston. But really it was the fans that made it happen.
Danny Schayes is a retired 18-year-veteran of the NBA, a professional broadcaster and soon-to-be-published author now penning NBA columns for SheridanHoops. Follow him on Twitter.
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