There’s still over six weeks to go until the 2024-25 NBA regular season begins with the Celtics taking on the Knicks and the Minnesota Timberwolves facing off against the Los Angeles Lakers. Until then, all there is to do is wait, and wait, and wait…
After all, there’s only so many times you can hit refresh on the NBA odds page and plan out your fantasy team, which is why we’ve decided to put together this article for a little bit of fun and as a way to distract us from the interminable wait until the start of the season.
So, if you’re like us and are suffering serious basketball withdrawals, read on to find out which teams have famous – and in some instances quirky – celebrity fans.
Atlanta Hawks
2 Chainz
46-year-old rapper 2 Chainz has one Grammy to his name and a lifetime of disappointment from following the Atlanta Hawks!
Toronto Raptors
Drake
Okay Atlanta, you can keep 2 Chainz. Canada’s only NBA team have a much bigger celebrity rapper at their games!
(Drake gives an impassioned speech about the Raptors.)
Boston Celtics
Matt Damon
There are plenty of famous Celtics fans to choose from, so this one comes down to personal preference and may or may not be linked to our love of Team America: World Police.
Brooklyn Nets
Jay-Z
We don’t care who else supports the Nets, no-one can be bigger than Jay-Z!
Sacramento Kings
Kevin Nagle
Okay we’re joking, who has heard of Kevin Nagle? It’s Brie Larson of course, but that should illustrate to you the dearth of celebrity fans that the Kings have…
Charlotte Hornets
Michael Jordan
Okay, we Googled “Charlotte Hornets celebrity fans” and didn’t recognise anyone from the results, so we’ll have to go with former owner Michael Jordan. It doesn’t get much more famous than that in basketball terms to be fair.
(Michael Jordan is surely the most famous man to have ever cheered on the Hornets.)
Chicago Bulls
Barack Obama
Yeah, the most famous President of the past half century is a fan of the Chicago Bulls. That’s a pretty big deal.
Washington Wizard
Dave Bautista
WWE Hall of Famer turned Hollywood actor Dave Bautista is a Wizards fan, unfortunately for him the team he follows is nowhere near as successful as he is!
Cleveland Cavaliers
Usher
The man responsible for making us all shout Yeah on repeat in the 2000s is the Cavs biggest celebrity fan.
Dallas Mavericks
Jamie Foxx
Oscar and Grammy winning actor. It doesn’t get much bigger than that, so it’s perhaps good to know that Foxx has humble tastes when it comes to his basketball team.
Indiana Pacers
David Letterman
The most famous talk show host on the planet is a Pacers fan and mentions the team often when he’s on air.
Detroit Pistons
Eminem
It’s impossible to listen to any Eminem album without noticing his love for sports teams from his native Detroit. In fact, we’re pretty confident that if Detroit set up a Gaelic football team, Em would throw the weight of his support behind the team.
Philadelpia 76ers
Will Smith
Something about the last entry just put the lyrics, “Will Smith don’t have to cuss in his raps to sell records, well I do so…” You know the rest. Anyway, Smith is a 76ers fan!
(Will Smith loves the 76ers so much he became a part owner of the franchise!)
Golden State Warriors
Jessica Alba
Who would have thought it? When Jessica Alba isn’t forging out her next role in Hollywood, she’s cheering on the Warriors. Go figure.
Orlando Magic
Tiger Woods
The greatest golfer in all-time is a fan of the Orlando Magic.
Houston Rockets
Beyonce Knowles
If rumours are to be believed, all is not well at home between Jay-Z and Beyonce, something which can only be exacerbated when the pair sit down to watch the Nets take on the Rockets.
Los Angeles Clippers
Billy Crystal
Not only is Crystal the voice of one of the most iconic Pixar characters of all-time (Mike Wazowksi), but he’s an all-round good guy too who turned down the opportunity to follow the Lakers for a more authentic experience of supporting the Clippers.
Los Angeles Lakers
Leonardo Di Caprio, Denzel Washington, Jack Nicholson…
The list goes on and on, so pick your favourite world-famous superstar!
New York Knicks
Chris Rock
The Knicks have a lot of celebrity fans, strangely enough a large proportion of them seem to be comedians. Our favourite of which is long-time Will Smith antagonist Chris Rock.
