Obnoxious? Unpleasant? Disrespectful? Disagreeable? Or simply just the worst? Here are five of the most toxic NBA fanbases in 2023. Hopefully, you’re not one of them!
5. Los Angeles Lakers
Lakers fans have always been one of the most obnoxious fanbases in the league. The Los Angeles Lakers have had great runs in different decades – the ’60s, ’70s, ’80s, ’90s, 2000s, and 2010s. Even now, the purple and gold with LeBron James is still a powerhouse team.
Jeanie Buss says she received death threats after the Lakers started the season 3-10 last year 😳
(via @TheAthletic) pic.twitter.com/U22gPak4Zm
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) October 13, 2023
It’s safe to say that the Lakers are already part of the pop culture but with their fame comes along millions of toxic fans.
4. Golden State Warriors
California is filled with good people, but just like any part of the world, they’re also filled with toxic ones. Before the Warriors became a dynasty, Golden State had a very wholesome fanbase, especially during the “We Believe” era featuring Baron Davis, Monta Ellis, Jason Richardson, Stephen Jackson, Mickael Pietrus, Al Harrington, and Andris Biedrins.
But, after many years of dominating the league, many NBA fans jumped on the bandwagon and started a new wave of fans. There are still the die-hard GSW believers, but at this point in their franchise, most of their fans are kids and teens who have just learned about this team after Steph Curry.
3. Boston Celtics
Boston fans are literally the worst. Well, not all of them, but most of the people on the sidelines aren’t the nicest Americans. It’s true. This huge sports fanbase managed to get the reputation of being extremely racist. With a league commanded by African Americans, it’s not going to be a walk in the park when playing there or against them.
https://twitter.com/BrettWit2/status/1726944065907007832
Many athletes have come out of the dark to share stories of what they’ve experienced with Boston fans. Just take Jrue Holiday as an example. For three years, he was well taken care of in Milwaukee. But, as soon as he arrives in Boston and underperforms, Celtics fans were quick to throw the All-Defensive point guard under the bus.
2. Philadelphia 76ers
If there’s one word that best describes the Sixers fans, it has to be “Disrespectful”. They have beef with almost every other Eastern Conference team which is kind of odd.
A Sixers fan has been ejected after pouring popcorn on Russell Westbrook as he headed to the locker room
pic.twitter.com/zQIU1krCof— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) May 27, 2021
What’s even more infuriating is that Sixers courtside fans do what they want to do. Some examples are pouring popcorn on Russell Westbrook’s head, racial slurs, degrading chants, flipping the finger (to Westbrook), and talking a lot of trash.
1. New York Knicks
Even the bright lights of New York cannot escape the criticism of its own fans. From the New York Yankees, Jets, Giants, and the Knicks, New York fans have always been insufferable to watch. Just recently, cutthroat Knicks fans were chanting “overrated” to Victor Wembanyama, an act that made waves on Twitter.
Victor Wembanyama getting 'overrated' chants
…from Knicks fans 🤣 pic.twitter.com/ULoLSpjfUZ
— NBA Memes (@NBAMemes) November 9, 2023
In addition, imagine booing your own team just because you don’t like what they’re doing or that they are performing poorly. Although it’s quite understandable, but still, they’re doing too much. NY teams in different sports haven’t seen success for many years now and part of the reason why they’re hated is … because of the fans.
