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The atmosphere in NBA arenas can be extremely intense. Fans are often quick to voice their opinions, passionately rooting for their team and criticizing opposing players from the opening minutes of a regular season game. This energy can make the arena experience particularly intense, and Angel Reese recently got her first taste.
After attending a New Orleans Pelicans game to support his brother Julian Reese, Angel was stunned by the constant comments from fans sitting behind him.
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Their remarks were so confident and detailed that he couldn’t help but wonder if they knew enough about basketball to be part of the broadcast.
Atlanta Dream star Angel Reese (5). Kirby Lee-Imagn Images via Reuters Connect
“I hear these people are behind us. They should be on the air the way they’re talking crazy about these players,” Reese said. “They talk like they know basketball. Is that what happens during games?”
While Reese is surprised by the nonstop analysis from fans around him, things can get even more intense in NBA arenas when courtside spectators engage directly with players and try to get inside their heads.
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This became evident recently when Los Angeles Lakers players Austin Reaves and Bronny James were repeatedly booed by Detroit Pistons fans. Such interactions are part of the hostile atmosphere that players can face, especially when playing in front of passionate home crowds.
And that intensity only increases as the NBA season progresses and the stakes rise. Not everyone is comfortable handling that kind of pressure, but Reese at least got a small taste of what players go through when they step onto an NBA court.
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This story was originally published by Athlone Where it first appeared on November 14, 2026 NBA division. Add as Athlon Preferred resource by clicking here.