I've had a lot of unique experiences over the last several years when it comes to attending NBA basketball games. I've witnessed Paul George as he stepped back onto the court for the first time after snapping his leg in half. I've watched in amusement as Lance Stevenson blew in Lebron’s ear during the 2014 Eastern Conference Finals. I've even made a few cameo appearances on some major TV networks - ESPN, TNT, and Fox Sports Network to name a few. And oh, did I mention I achieved all this while sitting in better seats than most people do to see their high school team play?
If you’ve stumbled upon this article, be prepared to be entertained, but – more importantly – be prepared to take notes. The art of sitting courtside with a nosebleed ticket isn't easy. But maybe, just maybe, one day you too can experience the joy of Paul George flushing home a dunk just a few feet in front of your very own eyes.
Step 1: Buy Your Ticket
While this is perhaps the most obvious step in the process, it’s likely one you’ll mess up right off the bat on your first time attempting the unthinkable feat of sneaking down to a courtside seat. Being naïve, you’ll likely end up buying a halfway decent ticket for $100+. This is the biggest mistake you can make. What’s the sense of paying for a seat you have no intention of actually sitting in? You’re better served buying the cheapest ticket possible – which for the Pacers is usually about $10 on StubHub – and saving the difference for those $10 draft beers you’ll be wanting to enjoy while at the game. Once you've purchased a ticket, you'll need to make sure you change into a proper outfit before leaving.
Step 2: Dress Like You’ve Been There Before
What’s the one thing you notice when the camera occasionally pans to the crowd of the lower levels of an NBA arena (aside from Drake lint-rolling his pants)? Well, in case you’re drawing a blank, the answer is that they’re all dressed for the part. Not many people who can actually afford courtside tickets have any desire to paint their faces or even wear a jersey. So for the sake of not sticking out like a sore thumb, you’re best off dressing in at least jeans, loafers, and a button down – although I’ve gone as far as wearing a suit to some of the bigger games I’ve attended. All in all, the point here is to be sure anyone who looks at you would reasonably expect you to be sitting where you are. After a quick wardrobe change, head to the game and sit in your ticket-designated seat.
Step 3: Scout Out Seats From Above
The one advantage of sitting in the nosebleeds is that it provides you with the best possible vantage point to find open seats where you actually want to sit. I typically spend the majority of the first quarter sitting up in the rafters and scouting out open seats down below. The advantage of this strategy is two-fold. Firstly, you need to allow an appropriate amount of time to pass to ensure the seat you intend to sit in is actually vacant, as many people will end up showing up late to the game. Secondly, you want to find a back-up seat in case your plan A ends up requiring a plan B. There’s a number of reasons this might occur – the person who actually has your seat shows up from the player’s bar halfway through the game, an unhappy usher catches you in your voyage, the list goes on – so having a plan a backup plan is always key. All in all, you'll likely spend more times watching seats than you will watching games.
Step 4: Make Your Move
As the first quarter is coming to a close, make your way down to the seats you’ve scouted out. People will likely be up and moving between quarters, so buy something from the concession stands to blend in with the traffic, and then proceed down into the section of your choosing. The key here is acting like you’ve been there before. Although you’re dressed the part, freezing like a deer in the headlights when you get to the usher at the top of the section will do you no favors. You should walk with purpose, but not so much as to appear nervous. Do this perfectly and you can bet that the majority of ushers will greet you like an old friend as you make your way past them and head towards a seat you have no business sitting in.
Step 5: Enjoy the Game
By this point you’re likely sitting in a seat that costs anywhere from $500-$2000, so sit back, relax, and maybe even take a nice long sip of the beer you just bought.
Disclaimer: sitting in seats that you don't have tickets for is generally speaking a no-no, so try at your own risk. If someone comes to sit in the seat that you've claimed, be courteous, admit you were wrong, and return to the seat that you belong in.
