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The popularity and money-making capability of a team nowadays can be judged by how it is doing on the social media. In regard to a sports team, not only the marketing prowess of the management but rich history, the native city, popular culture and the team roster, guide how successful and accessible it is going to be. And believe it or not, popularity helps!
It helps you win crucial games, indirectly gets you the required amount of funds to expand the star-cast and more. On the internet, popularity in the young generation can be judged by the no. of followers on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. A team doing well will be regularly featured on sports talk shows.
Now, let’s take a look at some of the most popular NBA franchises.
#10 New York Knicks
Followers - 9.7 million [Facebook - 5.9 million; Twitter - 2.1 million; Instagram - 1.7 million]
The team hasn’t been doing well in recent times, but that doesn’t stop it from being one of the most marketable teams in professional sports history because of the city it represents. The New York Knicks and the Brooklyn Nets in spite of not so great roster have been consistently charging the most for their matches. They’ve done well in the recent past with Carmelo Anthony, Amar’e Stoudemire, Jeremy Lin but it's all been downhill since then.
#9 San Antonio Spurs
Followers - 12.5 million [Facebook - 7.1 million; Twitter - 3.3 million; Instagram - 2.1 million]
If there is something like the ‘most loyal fan-base’, the San Antonio Spurs have that. Amongst the most consistent teams in the late NBA history, they have never really relied on star power but on ball sharing, good defence and a solid roster in role players to maintain their consistency. But even then, they’ve produced some great players in Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili, Kawhi Leonard and more.
#8 Oklahoma City Thunder
Followers - 13.2 million [Facebook - 7.2 million; Twitter - 2.6 million; Instagram - 3.4 million]
The move from Seattle Supersonics to Oklahoma City Thunder was significant in re-establishing its identity and giving the team back its mojo. They’ve had some fantastic players in Kevin Durant, James Harden and Serge Ibaka in the past. They were expected to run for the title in 2018 with the star-studded roster of Russell Westbrook, Paul George and Carmelo Anthony until they collapsed in the first round.
Nevertheless, the team has been consistent overall and has a huge fan base in Oklahoma.
#7 Houston Rockets
Followers - 14.9 million [Facebook - 9.8 million; Twitter - 2.6 million; Instagram - 2.5 million]
Houston hasn’t had as colourful a history as some of the teams coming after, but they sure have produced some great ballers. They’ve only won two champions in the ‘90s. But in recent times, they are much talked about on sports talk shows because of the offensive potency they hold in James Harden, Chris Paul and a rising star Clint Capela and excellent role players who almost toppled the GSW in 2018 Western Conference Finals.
#6 Boston Celtics
Followers - 15 million [Facebook - 9 million; Twitter - 3.3 million; Instagram - 2.7 million]
The Celtics have been a very popular team since the inception due to enormous basketball talent it has boasted apart from being a major US city. It is the amongst the teams with the highest number of NBA Championships, standing tall at 17. The Celtics – Lakers rivalry has been one of the major mainstays of modern sports history.
They introduced the 21st-century original ‘Big Three’ in Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and a prodigal shooter in Ray Allen who went on to win the 2008 NBA Championship. In recent years, they’ve done well for themselves with back-to-back conference final appearances in 2017 and 2018.
#5 Cleveland Cavaliers
Followers - 18.9 million [Facebook - 8.9 million; Twitter - 3.3 million; Instagram - 6.7 million]
GSW has Stephen Curry; the Cavs have LeBron James (for now). Along with the star-power of Kyrie Irving, Kevin Love, the Cavs were able to beat 2016 GSW Roster. LBJ is currently one of the most popular, most marketable athletes in the free world, and his stardom has attracted so much to Cleveland.
The present topic for debate on almost all sports talk shows is ‘Where is LeBron James going this summer?’. It is majorly the star-power that has propelled Cleveland to such popularity.
#4 Miami Heat
Followers - 23.2 million [Facebook - 15.6 million; Twitter - 4.7 million; Instagram - 2.9 million]
LBJ was first drafted by the Cavs until he moved to Miami in search of a better supporting cast. With a future Hall of Famer’ in Dwyane Wade and a versatile centre in Chris Bosh, they came to be known as the ‘Big Three’.
Not only they went on a final run after that, but they also won the NBA championship in 2012 and 2013. Miami, being a party destination as well as a coastal city, is very popular in general which also adds to its fan base. But in recent times, they’ve had lower attendance at their matches in general.
#3 Chicago Bulls
Followers - 25.9 million [Facebook - 18.2 million; Twitter - 4.1 million; Instagram - 3.6 million]
The Chicago Bulls were at the pinnacle of NBA in the 90s. Even in the countries where basketball is not so famous, people still know about Michael Jordan. Bulls has been ever so popular after that era, but its significant boost in popularity came with Derrick Rose, the youngest ever MVP of the league who tugged the Bulls to Eastern Conference Finals in 2011. Unfortunately, injuries took the best of him leaving the Bulls in another team-building process.
#2 Golden State Warriors
Followers - 26 million [Facebook - 11.3 million; Twitter - 5.8 million; Instagram - 8.9 million]
The current world champion, the ‘DubNation’ has won 3 championships in its back-to-back last four finals appearances. When the starting roster of the team is dubbed as the ‘Death Lineup’ or the ‘Hamptons Five’, it almost seems like it comes from a fantasy story. Because of their ‘super-team’ and arguably, ‘the strongest team ever’ status, they’ve attracted the most fans from other places also known as ‘bandwagon-ers’.
#1 Los Angeles Lakers
Followers - 33.5 million [Facebook - 21.4 million; Twitter - 7.4 million; Instagram - 4.7 million]
In terms of raw popularity, there is no denying LA Lakers has one of the most significant fan bases. A lot of that has got to do with the success they have achieved over the years - 16 Championships. This is partly because of the colorful history they have which has made the fans continue supporting them. With a young team, two young stars in Lonzo Ball and Brandon Ingram, they’re well on their way to become LeBron’s next home following his free agency coming July.
