SALT LAKE CITY, Dec. 14 (UPI) -- The NBA is planning an experiment with fans to see what would happen if the extra music, horns and sound effects were turned off during a game.
Commissioner David Stern alluded to the plan during an online chat on ESPN's Web site, the Salt Lake Tribune reports.
The 63-year-old Stern said teams mistakenly think the crowd and players want the music and extra sound that is pumped through an arena's public address system.
Stern said no dates are set but he's going to try a couple games without it, to see if fans will cheer as much and how players and coaches respond.
Utah Jazz coach Jerry Sloan said he is willing to give it a try. Sloan has complained about all the extras in the NBA games during his 17-year career.
But some players say the noise helps.
Jazz legend John Stockton said the music gets the fans going and the fans get the players psyched.
Dan Roberts, the public-address announcer for the Jazz said the music and extra noises help during lulls in the game.
