Didn't hate these seats, didn't love them either. There was ample space between each row but it's still likely that you will have to stand to let someone out of your row. Not cool if you get the aisle seat because there will be people coming in and out of the aisle the entire game as opposed to if you were seated in the exact middle of the row. Our seats were in row J which was the exact middle of the section. The Grizzlies were playing the Lakers (February 2011) in what is always a great game to see, the arena is always packed for that one.

Whoever constructed this arena did a great job at shaping the upper bowl. It's steep but you still feel somewhat close to the floor. Binoculars would be ideal but not necessary, you can rent them at the arena for $10 and then return them to get your money back, just ask a member of the arena staff where you can do this at.
Getting to the upper level is cake, just take one of the escalators on the north or south side of the arena. There is plenty of signage around to help you navigate through the concourses. There aren't as many concessions on the upper level as there are on the bottom level but you're better off eating at one of the many Beale Street establishments before the game anyway.