Fans love having crowds back in NBA arenas

Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Each week, we send out questions to the most plugged-in Sacramento Kings fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to join Reacts.

One of these years, the Kings will get back into the playoffs. Until then, the rest of the league is doing their best to put on a show.

The most noticeable difference in the first round of the playoffs this year versus the bubble, or even the regular season, has been the increasing size of the crowds. The atmospheres in Madison Square Garden and Phoenix Suns Arena stand out in particular, but it’s been a personal joy to have that sound back in basketball again throughout the league.

According to the latest SB Nation Reacts survey, more than 50 percent of fans around the country said the inclusion of fans has significantly improved the viewing experience, and only 16 percent said it hasn’t improved the experience at all.

Having fans in attendance provides at least the semblance of a homecourt advantage. More than three-fourths of Kings fans believe Sacramento would have finished the regular season with a better record had fans been in attendance all season long. It seems pretty clear that the atmosphere at Golden 1 Center could have propelled the Kings to at least a couple more wins.

With the playoffs one week in, there is no shortage of great opening round series to enjoy. 30 percent of fans around the country believe the Phoenix Suns vs. Los Angeles Lakers series is the best of the group. The New York Knicks series against the Atlanta Hawks is the next most popular choice, with 21 percent of the vote.

Similarly, 26 percent of fans believe the Suns best display the characteristics of a successful team. If only the Sun Kings were real...

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