The real reason why it took me so long to finish all my Japan posts was the NBA Playoffs. Specifically, the Warriors having made the cut. Everyone, including my friends, were all shocked that I was such a basketball fan since I am not at all a sports person. Just skateboarding when I was doing it in the 90s. Little did you know, I played in my early years through middle school and was actually really good at basketball. I even won 2 trophies from it. I watched the Chicago Bulls religiously throughout the 90s during the golden era of basketball with Michael Jordan. I watched every single game they talked about on The Last Dance. I blew a blood vessel during a few of those playoff games. Don't even get me started on how hard that was studying for college finals during those Playoffs. I remember watching the Dream Team when that was put together for the Olympics in 1992. I stopped watching basketball when Jordan retired. I watched 1 playoff game when the Warriors made it during the championship era. It wasn't until the 2024 Paris Olympics Serbia game that pulled me back in.
I had never been to an NBA game as the tickets were expensive compared to other sports, and I never had money. I worked on Air Jordan for many years back at my ad agency and never got comped tickets. Finally I decided that I really need to go courtside as Steph is 37 and Jimmy and Draymond are 35. So if I wanted to see these guys that I love at their prime, now is the time. For the 24-25 season, I tried to get courtside seats for the regular season. This is what I learned...
You HAVE to know which game you want tickets for ahead of time and grab them immediately when they drop if you want them at cost. I was not prepared and while I was still debating which game to attend, by the time I decided, all the tickets were already sold and they were resale only. Especially for the courtside seats. I am now intimately knowledgeable for all the prices for all the seats behind the Warriors and by the basket near them where I like to sit. They get more expensive through the season. Pending who they play, they also get more expensive. Another fun fact for you: The Golden State Warriors is the second most valuable sports franchise in the world right behind the Dallas Cowboys. Meaning, tickets to their games are generally on the higher end, combined with Chase Center being also expensive. Alas, I did not get any courtside ticket for myself last season due to all this. I was unprepared. I was tempted to buy resale tickets, however, due to both the extravagant price and all the fees on top, I decided that I would not be buying any resale tickets.
Then we acquired Jimmy Butler in February. That is when I toyed with the idea of attending a game again. Naturally: same problem as before for the seats I want. So I gave up on that idea quickly.
Then the Warriors made the playoffs and I get an email for when the tickets went on sale. Chase card holders have extra early access to buy the tickets, so I thought I should try, not thinking I would actually get any, especially courtside. To my extreme surprise, I got them. And that was how I was able to attend my first NBA game ever when the Warriors played against the Rockets on 4.26.205 for game 3. I did hit up my friends to see who may be down for courtside playoff adventure with me. Naturally, no one wants to spend that much on a ticket for anything since it costs as much or more than a non-stop round trip airfare to Europe or Asia on a nice airline. I went by myself.
Upon arrival at Chase Center, I entered through the VIP line at the entrance. Then I went through a tunnel to get to my seat. I clearly had no expectations as I found myself already next to the court after I exited the tunnel. I arrived 90 minutes before tip off as that is when the players warm up. The Warriors were warming up right after I entered. I was in shock as I was so close. As I walked to where I was seated behind the basket by the Warriors bench, I noticed that the vibe entirely changed when I got closer to the Houston Rockets. Who is this Jason Mamoa mofo on the court? Steven Adams. Alperen Şengün and Dillon Brooks with his Wikipedia tattoo were all warming up. I was a bit annoyed that I was not by the Warriors when they were warming up, but that also meant that I got to see them drop baskets in front of my face during second half, which is the more important and exciting half anyhow.
Then Steph Curry enters the court and the arena's energy shifts.
I still could not believe my dumb luck on scoring playoff ticket for my first NBA game ever. Despite the price point, it was worth every penny. The view. The adrenaline. The crowd. The screaming. E-40 in the front row of my section. Unparalleled. I suspect it was even crazier at Roaracle. Yes, I am aware I messed up royally for having missed that Warriors era. Sadly Jimmy Butler was still out from his injury in Houston, so I was sad to have missed him playing with Steph and Draymond. What really shocked me was how the other team holds and fouls Steph for the majority of the game. Most of these never called. Seeing that up close was something else. The man is so good that despite all that he STILL gets free and drops buckets on you. Second half was when I really lost my mind because the Warriors were dropping buckets literally right in my face. When Draymond got a steal and threw it all the way down my way to GPII and he dunked, I looked at GPII right in the eye when he was hanging from the basket. Every single free throw, I was looking right at the player ~100 feet in front of me. There was a lot of action on the Warriors bench to my left where Jimmy was gesticulating wildly talking to Buddy. I could not have asked for a better first NBA experience. Warriors also won. That helped too aside from the fact that it was a HELL of a game.
Then Warriors advanced to the next round and those tickets dropped. I was actually not planning on also going again, but since Jimmy was out when I went, I decided to go for it. Same section, one seat over, first home game against the Timberwolves. I like Ant and wanted to see him play in person. As Murphy's Law would have it, Steph pulled his ham-string and he is now out with an injury. So I REALLY got to see Jimmy play this time. My friend Barton, who has seen Michael Jordan play in his prime as he was from Chicago, told me to stop while I was up after my first game ever. So I was wondering what this experience would be like for me with Steph out. What I did find out was that each game during the playoffs go up in price. I was also seated next to 2 ladies who were friends with the players/agents, so it appears where I sit is for the VIPs/friends/family and performers at the games. They were fun and I had a blast meeting them and talking to them throughout the game. The stakes were quite high with Steph out, and you felt that in the arena. When Buddy Hield made his first 3 in the first half, the entire arena exploded, especially coming off him hitting 9 3s against the Rockets in Game 7. My adrenaline was so high that I thought I was going to black out. First half is typically not that exciting, but THIS first half was EXTREMELY exciting and it was very close. You can also see Steph being really emotionally invested on the sidelines.
Second half was a bit rough and we definitely struggled without Steph. We lost. I do recall another play where I almost blacked out again. Sure, it would have been better had we won, but I don't regret going to this game at all. The stakes are higher as you go along the Playoffs. That is why the ticket prices go up. I thoroughly enjoyed myself both times when the Warriors won and lost. My wallet sighed when they didn't make it to the next round, as I would have to debate if I was going each time they advanced. Now you know what it's like to get tickets at cost. Maybe you will hook yourselves up. I am ready for the 25-26 season schedule to drop so I can be on the ball this time around. I really hope we get to keep GPII as he fits in with the Warriors' good vibes. While I understand business is business, all these trade rumors and speculations this summer is giving me a headache. Just tell me when it's done.
Then Steph Curry enters the court and the arena's energy shifts.
I still could not believe my dumb luck on scoring playoff ticket for my first NBA game ever. Despite the price point, it was worth every penny. The view. The adrenaline. The crowd. The screaming. E-40 in the front row of my section. Unparalleled. I suspect it was even crazier at Roaracle. Yes, I am aware I messed up royally for having missed that Warriors era. Sadly Jimmy Butler was still out from his injury in Houston, so I was sad to have missed him playing with Steph and Draymond. What really shocked me was how the other team holds and fouls Steph for the majority of the game. Most of these never called. Seeing that up close was something else. The man is so good that despite all that he STILL gets free and drops buckets on you. Second half was when I really lost my mind because the Warriors were dropping buckets literally right in my face. When Draymond got a steal and threw it all the way down my way to GPII and he dunked, I looked at GPII right in the eye when he was hanging from the basket. Every single free throw, I was looking right at the player ~100 feet in front of me. There was a lot of action on the Warriors bench to my left where Jimmy was gesticulating wildly talking to Buddy. I could not have asked for a better first NBA experience. Warriors also won. That helped too aside from the fact that it was a HELL of a game.
Then Warriors advanced to the next round and those tickets dropped. I was actually not planning on also going again, but since Jimmy was out when I went, I decided to go for it. Same section, one seat over, first home game against the Timberwolves. I like Ant and wanted to see him play in person. As Murphy's Law would have it, Steph pulled his ham-string and he is now out with an injury. So I REALLY got to see Jimmy play this time. My friend Barton, who has seen Michael Jordan play in his prime as he was from Chicago, told me to stop while I was up after my first game ever. So I was wondering what this experience would be like for me with Steph out. What I did find out was that each game during the playoffs go up in price. I was also seated next to 2 ladies who were friends with the players/agents, so it appears where I sit is for the VIPs/friends/family and performers at the games. They were fun and I had a blast meeting them and talking to them throughout the game. The stakes were quite high with Steph out, and you felt that in the arena. When Buddy Hield made his first 3 in the first half, the entire arena exploded, especially coming off him hitting 9 3s against the Rockets in Game 7. My adrenaline was so high that I thought I was going to black out. First half is typically not that exciting, but THIS first half was EXTREMELY exciting and it was very close. You can also see Steph being really emotionally invested on the sidelines.
Second half was a bit rough and we definitely struggled without Steph. We lost. I do recall another play where I almost blacked out again. Sure, it would have been better had we won, but I don't regret going to this game at all. The stakes are higher as you go along the Playoffs. That is why the ticket prices go up. I thoroughly enjoyed myself both times when the Warriors won and lost. My wallet sighed when they didn't make it to the next round, as I would have to debate if I was going each time they advanced. Now you know what it's like to get tickets at cost. Maybe you will hook yourselves up. I am ready for the 25-26 season schedule to drop so I can be on the ball this time around. I really hope we get to keep GPII as he fits in with the Warriors' good vibes. While I understand business is business, all these trade rumors and speculations this summer is giving me a headache. Just tell me when it's done.
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