For most NBA fans, watching a successful squad like the Warriors, Lakers, or Bucks is preferable to watching a young lottery team lose night after night.
That fact is reflected in the ticket prices, which are typically much, much higher for teams who put a high-quality product on the floor.
For one Reddit user, however, living across the street from the Detroit Pistons gives him a unique perspective on things.
As he explained in a lengthy post, tickets are cheap enough that he has the opportunity to watch games, in a mostly empty arena, any chance he gets — and he loves everything about it.
I am M25, and basketball (especially NBA Basketball) is my favorite thing in the world. I am born and raised Memphis but I moved to Detroit at the beginning of 2021. I live less than a quarter mile from Little Caesar’s Arena.
On a weeknight, I get home from work, whip up a quick meal, then head over to the stadium. I go to the box office and ask for the cheapest ticket in the stadium. Usually it’s $20 per ticket straight depending on the the opponent, no fees or taxes.
No one goes to the games so I can sit wherever I want. The $20 tickets I usually get are behind the basket in the upper bowl, usually on the first row. But I hate sitting behind the pane of glass. I usually head over to half court and sit with no people behind me so I can watch the game and hit my pen.
I don’t care that the Pistons are the worst team in the league. Honestly, I hope they stay this way forever. I’m just trying to see the whole league come through town for cheap. The games start at 7pm and since my Memphis Grizzlies are a timezone over I can usually get home in time to see the 2nd half of their game if they play on the same night.
I root for the Pistons, but they’re in no way MY team; that will always be the Memphis Grizzlies. This season I’ve seen the Bucks, 76ers, Nets, Pacers, Thunder, and Wizards. Last nights game was a treat. Can’t wait for the Grizz to come to town!
The post illuminates some of the advantages of being close to a bad team. Tickets are cheap and fans can sit wherever they want (in their section).
At a league-worst 4-20, it makes sense that tickets would be extraordinarily cheap for the Pistons — and it’ll probably stay that way for a while. After trading Blake Griffin and Andre Drummond years ago, they don’t have the firepower to compete at a high level.
Hopefully, Cade Cunningham will help change that. In the meantime, a few fans will get to enjoy some of the unique perks that come with being one of the worst teams in basketball.
