Some are indeed better than others. Obviously it’s different when the fans are coming out to support a great team - compared to when you are stuck as a middle of the road team for a while. The Kings are a good example of this, Cowbell kingdom was wild back when they had Webber. I like to think of other teams around the league based on what I’ve seen, trying to take into consideration what the team is like. Lakers: Not terrible, not great. Very bandwagony attendance, but all it takes is Lebron and they are seemingly about it again. Heat: Could be low key one of the weakest. Always seems like people choose that they would rather be on the beach than cheer on their team. Raptors: I’d put them in the top 5, Canada is densely populated so it makes sense how many people conglomerate when the Raptors are in the playoffs. Warriors: I don’t want to because it’s the Warriors, but you gotta pay respect. I’d put them in the top 5 as well, but they can get right out of there if they start bandwagoning or showing up in Laker Jerseys at the first sign of the Lakers being better than them. Spurs: About as basic/fundamental as Pops playbook. Clippers: Weak. Wolves: Weak. Kings: Also top 5, because while the team has been mediocre; the fans haven’t completely given up hope. I’m sure if there were to be signs of life in the Kings that place could be a nightmare to play at. My top 5: Rip City Toronto Golden State Sacramento Tie: Memphis/Philly/Utah - although I’d expect Grizzlies tickets to be much cheaper and easier to come by now that they are in a rebuild. Wish the Sonics were still around, missing out on so many years of a great I5 rivalry between two good teams.
I don't think there is anything like the feel of a Blazer game in Portland when the team is high and the expectations are great. It is some sort of magic there, but this is obviously the view of a Blazer fan. But on the other hand, I have been to games with the Blazers playing in; Seattle, LA, San Fransisco, and Philly, It is just not the same. BTW. The game I was privileged to see in Philly, was the third win in the Championship series, 1977. As guest of the Federal reserve guys.
I went to Lillard's first Oakland Game, which was pre-bandwagon days I believe. Oracle is a shithole arena. Fans were kind of ghetto, but I was in the 200 level, I think lower level is tech bros, but that was probably not true when they weren't good. The in-game experience at Clippers games is a lot better than Laker games. Fans are a lot friendlier overall, less thugs, more family friendly. They also do a lot of stuff between time outs like contests, etc. Laker games, they dim the lights in the upper areas of the arena (I'd personally never sit there because there are too many gangster thug laker fans up there, the lower area are the older real laker fans with money who are usually pretty ok). You'll have celebs at laker games, and a lot of wannabe hollywood players with either free tix or taking some insta-ho model out on a date. In any case, its mainly for networking. People won't pay much attention until the end of the game or if there's a big play.
Okc has been short lived and lucky they had such a good nucleus, but I think a lot of people would’ve put them in their top 5 or 10 the past five years. Of course now they probably won’t make the playoffs and we will see how they will be supported. It’s easy to be loud when the team is good. Fuck em btw
OKC is going to be a lot better this year than people expect, unless they make more significant trades or make a concerted effort to tank.
They're going to tank I'd say...they have a million draft picks now ...and no shot in the west as constructed