Ranking The Best Courtside Celebrity NBA Fans
The argument can made that the NBA is the most popular and cultured sport in the world. The league endorses and displays hip-hop, fashion, sneakers, and overall dope aspects to what the community likes as well. Those all catch everyone’s eye. You know what else grabs ordinary fans’ attention? Celebrities. Celebrities alone hold weight and attract more attention for themselves and the team. Even if their team stinks, you can always depend on familiar faces to be in their season ticket seats cheering on their squad. With that being said, we highlight the best courtside celebrity fans in the NBA.
- Spike Lee
Right off the bat, we have to put the award winning Spike Lee at the top of the chain. Whether you’re a New York Knicks fan or not, you can’t say Spike’s loyalty to the Knicks isn’t fake. The Knicks’ last championship came in the year of 1973. In 90s they witnessed exciting basketball with Patrick Ewing, Charles Oakley and John Starks on the roster. Ever since then, the Knicks have been a mess. Just a couple of weeks ago, they came up two picks short in the Zion sweepstakes at the draft lottery in Chicago. Within the good and bad, you can always count on Spike Lee to be front and center cheering on his Knicks. Who knows. This upcoming summer may finally be in New York’s favor.
2. Jack Nicholson
Jack Nicholson is best known as a successful American actor and director and rightfully so. He has accomplished a lot in his field of work. Another thing he is highly known for is his love for the Los Angeles Lakers. He has been a Laker season ticket holder since 1970! He usually sits on the side of the opposing bench with his normal crew. Jack is 82 years old, yet still obtains that same fire and passion for the Lakers as he did when Magic and Kareem were running “Showtime.”
3. Drake
Drake has and will always rep Toronto, Canada. Being a global superstar for him means he’s pretty much always on the road. Whenever the NBA season is in play and he is home, chances are you’ll catch him at a Raptors game trolling the players who aren’t wearing the black and red. Drake is so passionate that he even almost got into a fight with at the time, Cavs center Kendrick Perkins. I’m pretty sure that’s a problem nobody wants with Perk, but Drizzy was willing to do what he had to do to rep the 6.
4. Jimmy Goldstein
No one loves overall hoops more than Jimmy Goldstein. He is known as the “NBA superfan” and most likely attended a game in every arena possible. He is mysteriously quiet and is always present in mainly Lakers, Clippers and Warriors games. He stills the shine on the sidelines with his eye catching wardrobe. He recently admitted even though he attends many Laker games, he isn’t necessarily a Laker fan. He is just a fan of good basketball period.
5. Travis Scott
Travis reps Houston hard. If you are a fan of his music or have listened to his music, he implements many sounds native to Houston and shouts out his hometown often. Being a global star, like Drake he is also on road a lot, but you can always count on him to be in the Toyota Center during the postseason. As for his team, they just can’t seem to get over the hump that is the Golden State Warriors. Maybe if Kevin Durant’s leaves this summer, they’ll have a chance even though they still lost without him. Only time will tell.
6. Billy Crystal
Billy Crystal from what I’ve heard is one of the nicest people anyone will ever get the chance to meet. Billy has supported the Clippers since they were known as the San Diego Clippers. He is a year to year season ticket holder and has witnessed the Darius Miles & Q. Richardson era, the lob city era and now the emergence of this new young team under Doc Rivers. After this season ended for the Clippers, Billy announced he would join the Clippers broadcasting team in honor of legendary Ralph Lawler who just retired. Way to carry the legacy, Billy.
7. Kevin Hart
For probably the smallest man in the building, his voice is his biggest asset. Kevin Hart, comedic rockstar, actor and producer knows how to make his presence felt on the sidelines. The native Philadelphian takes his Eagles and Sixers seriously. He clearly jokes a lot and that sometimes does more bad than good for his home team. Ask Dwyane Wade. I guess he’ll just have to keep trusting the process like the rest of the city after a second straight 2nd round exit.
8. Quavo Huncho
Believe it or not, Quavo actually used to play basketball and football in high school. He definitely has an athletic side even though music is his full time career. He truly stays true to Atlanta and reps ATL the right way. Hopefully the Hawks have a successful rebuild so we can see ATL get back to where they were years ago making it to the Eastern Conference Finals.
9. 2 Chainz
Like Quavo and from Atlanta himself, 2 Chainz played high school ball as well. I personally think he could’ve made it to the league because he has skill and great height standing at 6' 5". He played at North Clayton High School and Alabama State University. Certain decisions made him end up pursuing music which clearly worked out in his favor. His recent album “Rap or Go to the League” highlights his early years on the court and you can tell this specific project is personal to him.
10. Gucci Mane
When we think of Gucci Mane, we tie him into the category of Atlanta rappers even though he’s from Alabama. Either way, Gucci is Atlanta in a lot of people’s books still. His team is definitely the Hawks, but we are starting to see his an overall fan of the league. He supports Boston’s Jaylen Brown who is straight out of Wheeler High School. He was even spotted recently supporting Giannis and the Bucks who are currently in a dog fight with the Toronto Raptors for a spot in the 2019 NBA Finals against Golden State.
