Who are the most hated NBA teams? Hates such a strong word but these teams have earned a reputation for obnoxious fans, dominant play and tanking.
Let’s get the blood boiling and bring out the worst in all of us as we go through the ten most hated teams in the NBA right now:
10. San Antonio Spurs
Most of us started to hate the San Antonio Spurs after they drafted Tim Duncan in 1997. A dynasty was created and the franchise went on to win five championships during Duncan’s 19-season career.
If that wasn’t enough for the haters, the Spurs then drafted Victor Wembanyama in 2023 to give the franchise another genuine shot at another dynasty and potentially a new generation of haters.
9. Cleveland Cavaliers
The hate for the Cleveland Cavaliers has softened in the years after LeBron James left following his second stint with the franchise in 2018. Resentment for the Cavs will never grow old and a generation won’t ever forget it.
Interestingly the Akron-born LeBron James grew up hating on Cleveland, with the disdain for the Cavaliers very close to home.
8. Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia’s bad NFL reputation with the Eagles translates over to the 76ers as one of the most hated NBA teams. Fans can be confrontational and they even hate on their own. Can you blame them with the whole Ben Simmons debacle?
The rebuild in the late 2010s known as “The Process” was blatant tanking to acquire high draft picks much to the frustration of all fans of the NBA. Its karma that Simmons was a product of the tanking process.
7. New York Knicks
The New York Knicks play in the largest market, there’s a long history of mediocrity, and they have many of the biggest NBA rivalries. That’s led to the Knicks becoming one of the most hated teams in the league.
Even Knicks fans can’t stand their own teams at times with a history of an inability to win championships since the early 1970s. Despite high-profile roster moves which fail to come to fruition much to the disdain of a large fan base.
6. Detroit Pistons
Three-time NBA champions the Detroit Pistons built a reputation of physical, aggressive play that many found unsportsmanlike during the late 1980’s earning them the name the “Bad Boys”.
Despite becoming one of the most hated NBA teams they won back-to-back championships in 1989 and 1990. The strategy initially helped to limit Michael Jordan’s impact and helped fuel one of the biggest NBA rivalries.
5. Miami Heat
The Miami Heat’s back-to-back championships in 2012 and 2013 was spurred on by the formation and arrogance of the “Big Three”, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh.
Miami became the most hated NBA team at the time because of their success from free agency with other teams making it known that they were “built not bought”.
4. Golden State Warriors
The Warriors dynasty saw them win four times in eight seasons, as well as reaching five consecutive NBA Finals series. They also did it on the back of Stephen Curry’s perimeter shooting and the dirty play of Draymond Green.
If that’s not enough to hate Golden State, Kevin Durant infamously joined Curry and Green in 2016 to form a superteam in a move that only grew universal resentment for all fans who didn’t join the Warriors bandwagon.
3. Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls are still enjoying the fruits of their dominance of the 1990s led by Michael Jordan. They can remain mediocre and will still pull in NBA-leading crowds and worldwide admiration.
Because the Bulls don’t even have to put in any effort to remain popular, they’re one of the most hated NBA teams. Even diehard Chicago fans are “friendzoning” the Bulls.
2. Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics became the most successful franchise in NBA history after winning the 2024 NBA Finals. That’s reason enough to become one of the most hated NBA teams.
Add to that superstars across different eras that have dominated the NBA like Bill Russell, Larry Bird, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Jayson Tatum, and you can see why they’re the envy of opposition fans.
1. Los Angeles Lakers
It goes hand-in-hand that the LA Lakers are the most hated NBA team, and Lebron James is the most hated player of all time. It’s not fun supporting other teams and watching high-profile stars prefer to move to Hollywood à la Anthony Davis.
The Lakers have also had extended periods of dominance including the “Showtime” era and the five championships between 2000 and 2010. A lot of us have grown up watching stars like Magic Johnson, Kobe Bryant and LeBron dominate, which has made the Lakers the most popular NBA team, as well as the most hated.
