Finally get to see my first NBA games, expectations/advice

[zeebneeb]

i've only ever been to raptors games so not sure if it's a different experience from games in the US but from this thread it sounds similar. food and drinks are really pricey so i usually eat/drink before and then buy a $15-$20 beer in the arena and nurse it all game. i don't think you should have a problem with fans as long as you don't antagonize.

and i'm not sure if you have all your tickets sorted but i've found for the price point getting a close row in the second level has a better view than one of the back rows in the first level. if you're going to multiple games it might be cool to just try different spots to sit because it does give you a different perspective. i'll add another point below...

If you've never been to an NBA game, the biggest thing your gonna notice, is the size, and speed of the athletes. Its crazy. Watching games on the TV is a 2D representation. Almost like a videogame. This truly brings the players to life.

Trust me, it sounds weird, but its gonna stand out. The court seems tiny in comparison to when its on TV.

the closer to the court you get the more you realize this. the closest i've ever sat was like 6th row, i was a young teenager and i remember seeing joey graham (not a good player but really athletic) go up for a rebound and was in awe. the ball was like above my eye level in the 6th row and he went up and got it. also, i randomly walked by reggie jackson one game and i'm 6'2 but it felt like he dwarfed me.

it sounds like you're gonna have an awesome trip, tell us all about it when you get back!

Will do bro! Should be the trip of a lifetime for sure!

Possibility of perhaps a thread for your adventures? I know id read through all the updates.

[tmorgan]

Thread! Thread! Thread!

[Mr Peanut]

I tacked on a quick 12 hour stop in Detroit when I was in the US for a work conference earlier this year to attend my first Pistons game after being a fan for 20 or so years. It was our final home game of the season against the Bulls, and while a lot of players were out and the season was long lost it was a pretty surreal experience overall. Wish I had a bit longer to spend in the city itself but ran out of time.

My general advice would be if you have the money to get seats in the lower bowl to be a bit closer to the action. And wear your Pistons jersey proudly no matter where you are. I only own two Pistons jerseys, one being an old school Grant Hill red one and the other a Killian Hayes jersey that a friend bought for me as a prize for winning our fantasy league during Hayes's rookie season. Safe to say I didn't wear the Killian jersey that night.

[The Number 9]

I watched my first Pistons game (and first NBA game) this year too (versus the Rockets in November, in the LCA). It was a really great experience, even despite the loss (the game was really competitive, I was really worried about that at that time).
I have watched a lot of pro basketball game in France and in Europe (and still do) so I was not really surprised about the sizes, ... It's obviously a bit quicker, more athletic, but the gap is not what it used to be.

But the atmosphere is really great, it's a great show. I was a bit worried about the duration (and my wife even more) because there are more time outs than in FIBA/Euroleague, and there are longer, but in the arena it goes smoothly.

Real nice experience, I was like a kid to be honest. Enjoy !

[A_dub06]

i've only ever been to raptors games so not sure if it's a different experience from games in the US but from this thread it sounds similar. food and drinks are really pricey so i usually eat/drink before and then buy a $15-$20 beer in the arena and nurse it all game. i don't think you should have a problem with fans as long as you don't antagonize.

and i'm not sure if you have all your tickets sorted but i've found for the price point getting a close row in the second level has a better view than one of the back rows in the first level. if you're going to multiple games it might be cool to just try different spots to sit because it does give you a different perspective. i'll add another point below...



the closer to the court you get the more you realize this. the closest i've ever sat was like 6th row, i was a young teenager and i remember seeing joey graham (not a good player but really athletic) go up for a rebound and was in awe. the ball was like above my eye level in the 6th row and he went up and got it. also, i randomly walked by reggie jackson one game and i'm 6'2 but it felt like he dwarfed me.

it sounds like you're gonna have an awesome trip, tell us all about it when you get back!

Will do bro! Should be the trip of a lifetime for sure!

Possibility of perhaps a thread for your adventures? I know id read through all the updates.

That’s actually not a bad idea, if you guys want to I’m more than happy to do a little update every now and then of my first experience at the games and also of the US from an Australians first time perspective

[Warspite]

One of the best things about being a Pistons fan is wearing Pistons gear and knowing people will leave you alone and give you a wide berth. "Oh, are you from Detroit? ... My bad" Thats right keep walking.

[Uncle Mxy]

One of the best things about being a Pistons fan is wearing Pistons gear and knowing people will leave you alone and give you a wide berth. "Oh, are you from Detroit? ... My bad" Thats right keep walking.

They do that for me even when I'm not wearing Pistons gear. Just look like you'll eat someone's baby and you'll be ok.

[GSWFan1994]

I had the opportunity to visit Canada many years ago, and watched 2 Raptors games back then.

One of them was versus Chicago (with the Deng, Hinrich, Noah, etc team), and the other versus San Antonio, which unfortunately Tim Duncan was load managed that night, lol. At least the game went into triple overtime, and Parker and Ginobili played great.

The Toronto team had Bosh, Mike James, Jalen Rose and was very average.

All in all, it was a wonderful experience. As others have said, if you have the money, make sure to buy the best tickets you can, you won't regret it. And the game is really different to see when you're live in the arena, it's much faster and athletic in person.

Enjoy your trip... I wish I could be able to make a similar one in a few years too.

Best regards.