Toronto has the best fanbase in the NBA, at least according to the numbers.
The Raptors have the highest home game attendance in the league right now with the Portland Trailblazers, Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks and Miami Heat in that order. However, we all know that is not the order of the best fanbases in the league. Here is the real top 5:
1. Portland Trail Blazers: These fans have suffered through their fair share of terrible years, but have never been a quiet crowd. With the Blazers looking much better and with the excitement of LaMarcus Aldridge and Damian Lillard getting straight buckets, people are finally understanding the cult of Rip City.
2. Golden State Warriors: Another team that suffered long stretches of mediocrity or worse and have come out the better for it. The fans are about to get treated to a new stadium (albeit not in Oakland) and have seen some of the best players in the franchise’s history with Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson splashing down in Oracle Arena. Speaking of which, the arena got a new nickname because the fans are so loud. It’s known as the Roaracle and for good reason.
3. Oklahoma City Thunder – This team has not gone through bad stretches nearly as often as the first two teams, but the people of Oklahoma City were so excited to get a team that they did not care if the team lost for the rest of eternity. Fortunately, they have not had to go through that and the team understands how important the community is so there are no worries about totally screwing them (Sacramento, looking at you).
4. Dallas Mavericks – This team does not have much similar with the other three in that the Mavs have experienced tons of success throughout Dirk Nowitzki’s time there and with Mark Cuban as the owner the past decade and a half. However, the fans are always there even when they eventually lose to the Spurs in the playoffs. However, the fans made 2011 so much more special than it would have been and the fans really do appreciate the longevity and consistency that Dirk and coach Rick Carlisle have brought to this team.
5. San Antonio Spurs – Another successful playoff and championship team. The fans have always had a special connection to this team ever since Peter Holt bought the team. It is basically a team by the people, for the people and the community really rallies around that. It probably doesn’t hurt that they’ve won five championships either, but that hasn’t lessened their enthusiasm each time.
