It’s always an exciting, star-studded affair when the Los Angeles Lakers take on the Golden State Warriors. As a diehard NBA fan, I’ve long dreamed of watching these Western Conference heavyweights battle it out courtside.
But with Lakers vs. Warriors tickets running as high as $49,000 courtside at Crypto.com Arena, it made me wonder – are those seats worth the sky-high price tag? Let’s break it down!
First, there’s no doubt you get the most immersive, closeup experience possible sitting courtside. We’re talking about seeing the players’ facial expressions, hearing sneaker squeaks and arena sounds, and catching game-used gear. You’re in the game with courtside seats, not just watching it. LeBron or Steph could come flying into the stands at any moment!
You can feel the palpable energy being mere inches from the hardwood. For superfans, that alone makes courtside seats tempting.
The star power is off the charts regarding the Lakers vs. Warriors matchup. LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green – a lot of NBA greatness concentrated in one game.
Imagine having a front-row seat to watch these icons battle it out within arm’s reach. The legendary plays and moments you’d witness make paying the huge ticket premium enticing.
And if you can afford it, court-level seats provide ultimate bragging rights. Let’s be honest, how often would you get to casually say, “Yeah, I sat courtside at the Lakers-Warriors game last night…” Flexing those exclusive seats on social media is a good perk, too.
However, paying five figures for two hours of entertainment is next-level, no matter how good the seats are. And the realities of courtside seats aren’t always glamorous. You often have to arrive ridiculously early and go through extensive security.
Other fans and cameras can be distracting. There’s the risk of getting hit by a ball or player. And you sometimes get a better overall view down at court level compared to elevated seats.
While seeing the players’ faces up close seems cool, you’ll probably end up watching the jumbotron a lot anyway to see replays and closeups. You’ve likely seen these players up close during warmups or leaving the arena, so some novelty is lost. And if it’s a blowout game, courtsides are less fun.
The lower bowl seats around the halfway line provide a solid balance for most fans. You still get an up-close view for 1/10th the price of courtsides.
Ultimately, the astronomical cost of court-level seats at marquee games like Lakers-Warriors just isn’t justifiable for the experience you get. Unless money is no object, you can get 85% of the enjoyment for a fraction of the price in good lower bowl seats. Courtside is a bucket list splurge but only a wise investment for some NBA fans.
The atmosphere and bragging rights are alluring. But from a value standpoint, Lakers vs. Warriors courtsides aren’t worth shelling out five figures when cheaper seats get you almost as close to the action. Save your money and get lower bowl tickets to more games instead!
