Fan antics are a rare occurrence in the modern NBA. As security in arenas has gotten stricter, fans aren’t able to play pranks or interact as easily with the players as they once could.
While on the one hand that is a good thing, as this limits fans from crossing the line and making some deep mistake and causing harm to themselves, other fans, or even the players, there was something fun about the possibility of fans having some harmless fun at the players’ expense.
This is exactly what happened in January of 2018. A fan, who was later revealed to be comedian Tony Roberts, dressed up in New Orleans Pelicans’ warm-up gear and joined the team as they began their shootaround. He was eventually noticed and the police came and escorted him out of the arena.
These kinds of pranks are usually great because they’re harmless fun and give both players and fans a chance to laugh. But it is understandable why arenas don’t allow it, as it can set a dangerous precedent, and one fan can possibly take it too far and do something that is neither funny nor acceptable.
Fan behavior at NBA games has been an issue, regardless of security. Most recently, one Sacramento Kings fan caused an awkward delay in the game after getting drunk and vomiting on the court. This was uncomfortable to watch, mostly because no one wants to see that.
A little while ago, things got slightly tense during a Los Angeles Lakers game, as Rajon Rondo made finger guns and pointed them at a fan, who then slapped Rondo’s hand away, annoyed at the gesture from the Lakers guard.
Incidents like these are primarily why arena security are very strict about what the fans can or cannot do during a game.
