10 famous celebrities and their favorite NBA teams

Jack Nicholson (in the black suit) reacts durign a Lakers game courtside at the Staples Center

We Indians follow cricket like it is religion so it is no surprise that a big percentage of our population knows a lot not only about the owners of the various franchises in the Indian Premier League. We also know about the celebrities from Bollywood and other sports who are fans of specific teams.So what about the NBA?Anybody know all the Hollywood celebs and various other icons who are minority owners of the teams or which team they support in the NBA?Well here is a list of 10 famous celebrities and their favorite NBA teams.

#1 Jack Nicholson-Los Angeles Lakers

Jack Nicholson (in the black suit) reacts durign a Lakers game courtside at the Staples Center

If there was ever an award for the most loyal celebrity fan of an NBA team, it will undoubtedly go to Hollywood film writer, director and actor Jack Nicholson. He has been a faithful fan of the Los Angeles Lakers ever since the Showtime era in the 1980’s.

A regular on the celebrity watch during the Lakers game, Nicholson is a true basketball fan who comes to Staples Center every day for the game and nothing else.

#2 Spike Lee-New York Knicks

Spike Lee courtside at a Knick game.

He’ll shout at the refrees, spur on the Knicks and shout at taunts at the opponents but Spike Lee is the most beloved fan of the New York Knicks. A loyal fan of the franchise for over the last two decades, Lee has been the reason for the Knicks losing (Reggie Miller got it going many a times in the 1990’s after Lee taunted him and single handedly eliminated the Knicks from the Playoffs) and at the same time the reason for the popularity when they are not doing so well either.

A season ticket holder over the course of the regular season at the Madison Square Garden however During the Playoffs, you will see him at every Knick game whether it is on the road or at home at the Garden.

#3 Drake-Toronto Raptors

Drake outside the Toronto Raptors locker room

Drake the hip hop artist went from being an over enthusiastic Raptors fan to becoming the team’s global embassador. His association with the Toronto franchise got a stamp when the Raptors were fined $25000 because Drake was publicily recruiting Kevin Durant to come to Toronto when he becomes a free agent in 2016.

#4 Jay Z and Beyonce-Brooklyn Nets

Jay Z and Beyonce sitting courtside at a Nets game.

The power couple of Jay Z and Beyonce might have sold their stock in the Brooklyn Nets and the Barclays Center but on the former’s website it clearly says that they are Brooklyn Nets fans forever.

Want to see the couple together enjoying and having a good time? Just tune into the next Nets home game and you will see them sitting courtside.

#5 Justin Timberlake-Memphis Grizzlies

Justin Timberlake

Other than being a minority owner in the Grizzlies, being a native of Memphis and a season ticket holder at the FedEx Forum, Justin Timberlake has no other connection with the NBA team.

Is that enough to be on the list? Of course it is.

#6 Leonardo Di Caprio-Los Angeles Lakers

Leonardo Di Caprio (in the black cap) sitting courtside at a Lakers game.

Every game that he has ever come to, he comes wearing a cap and yet it is not very hard to spot Leoardo Di Caprio. A season ticket holder for the Lakers at the Staples Center, Di Caprio is seen quite very frequently watching the Lakers play.

#7 Ben Stiller-New York Knicks

New York Knicks forward Amar’e Stoudemire and Ben Stiller

Ben Stiller is a fan of the New York Knicks and is seen sitting alongside the biggest Knicks fan ever in Spike Lee quite often. You know Stiller is a huge fan of the Knicks when you feature on the Inside the NBA’S Gone Fishing segment once your team (in this case the Knicks) are eliminated from the Playoffs.

#8 Donnie Wahlberg-Boston Celtics

Donnie Wahlberg wearing the official Boston Celtics championship t-shirt

Born in Dorchester, Massachusetts, Donnie Walhberg became a household name very early in his life being a part of the pop band “Bad Boys”. He is an extremely passionate fan of the Boston Celtics and also a close friend of former Celtics forward Paul Pierce.

Walhberg has been seen multiple times in the arena watching the C’s play. His passion extended to using his talents for the team when he narrated an official documentary on the team in 2010.

#9 Barack Obama-Chicago Bulls

Barack Obama wearing a Bulls cap at a fundraiser in Chicago

The President of the United States wouldn’t really fit into the celebrity category. Nonetheless, he deserves to be on the list given how openly he admits his love for the Chicago Bulls. Since he resides in Washington, he has been seen in many Wizards vs Bulls game when he gets a chance.

#10 Jim Parsons - Houston Rockets

Jim Parsons (right) at the LA Lakers vs Houstan Rockets game
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The Houston Rockets were competing with the Hollywood star power of the Lakers while trying to convince Dwight Howard to sign with them. While the Lakers stuck to billboards with STAY written on them, the Rockets went to their native little Hollywood connection in Jim Parsons. Parsons was among the few who was asked to recruit Howard to Houston. Above is his message to Howard.

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Edited by Staff Editor