5 NBA Teams with the Hottest Celebrity Fans

The NFL season is officially over for the majority of football fans, and will be over for the rest within the month. That means the national sports media spotlight will shift, at least partially, to the NBA.

Well, not the NBA at large, but rather a small group of large-market teams that get all the glory and land coveted free agents. They also attract the hottest celebrity fans, following the "rich get richer" theme in this country that we're all pretty familiar with by now.

Now you're probably wondering which team has the hottest celebrity fans, while mumbling under your breath, "It better not be the Miami Heat, or I will straight up cut someone."

Please don't cut someone. The Heat is based in the surgically enhanced bikini-heaven of Miami, so they are obviously going to be on the list.  But like in the 2011 NBA Finals, they came up just short of the top spot.

Let's take a look at the five NBA teams with the hottest celebrity fan bases, and some of their hottest fans, and see who did come out on top.

Honorable Mention: Chicago Bulls

I'm usually vehemently against the inclusion of honorable mentions in anything. They're totally pointless, and in a case of a list like this, just lazy.

Unfortunately, the Bulls presented unique circumstances, in that my research only turned up one hot celebrity fan—but she was almost hot enough to warrant a space on the list all on her own.

Hence the honorable mention. Click to the next slide to find out who it is.

Marisa Miller

Photo via Facebook.com/TheMarisaMiller

Model Marisa Miller is a big time Bulls fan and has the hots for their candy-loving point guard Derrick Rose. Miller and Rose became friendly when she presented him with his nomination as Chicago's Sexiest Athlete.

Did You Know: The Chicago Bulls have never lost in the NBA Finals? They've won the championship in each of their six appearances.

5. Dallas Mavericks

The Mavericks may have smacked down the Heat in the 2011 NBA Finals, but they finished a distant fifth in the hot celebrity fan category with five hotties.

Khloe Kardashian

Photo via KhloeKardashian.celebuzz.com

Khloe Kardashian might not be the best looking of the sisters, but she seems to talk the least, which is nice. Or maybe she talks as much but nobody listens…whatever.

In any event, Mavs' owner Mark Cuban did name Lamar Odom's wife the official favorite Kardashian of the Dallas Mavericks, which counts for something.

Did You Know: Oft-renamed rap mogul Diddy (see: Sean "Puffy" Combs) designed the Mavs' alternate uniforms.

Does Diddy still make music? Perhaps we need to start referring to him as a fashion mogul instead.

Jessica Simpson

Texas native Jessica Simpson is a fan of Dallas sports and has been spotted in the stands supporting her Mavs with various boyfriends over the years.

Also, I know she doesn't look like this anymore, but I prefer to remember the good times.

Did You Know: After the Mavs beat the Heat in the 2011 NBA Finals, Ohio Governor John Kasich issued a resolution that made the team and their fans honorary Ohioans for one day.

Aubri Hart

Photo via Twitter.com/#!/heathero14

In June 2011, Aubri Hart got a lot of attention after being named the world's sexiest Mavs fan by BustedCoverage. She has since posed for Playboy, naturally.

Did You Know: Mavs star Dirk Nowitzki is a tennis enthusiast? He used to say that if he could meet anybody, he would want to meet John McEnroe.

Well, he got his chance in February 2011. Dirk was like a kid on Christmas meeting his idol.

Hope Dworaczyk

Photo via HopeDworaczyk.com

In late 2009, Hope Dworaczyk donned a body paint Mavs jersey with the number of then boyfriend Jason Kidd. The relationship with Kidd didn't last, but she was named Playboy's Playmate of the year in 2010.

Did You Know: Since 2000, Mavs owner Mark Cuban has been fined, in total, almost $2 million by the NBA for various offenses.

Cuban's largest fine came in 2006, when "several acts of misconduct" cost him $250,000.

George Clooney

Photo via Esquire.com

Movie star super-stud George Clooney isn't just the most handsome man of a generation, he's also a serious Mavs fan. Clooney loves basketball and actually played for his high school team in Augusta, Kentucky.

Did You Know: That the Mavs have not one, but two ridiculous mascots: Mavs Man and Champ.

Neither of them seem to have anything to do with the team name, but I'm pretty sure that Mavs Man will be appearing in my nightmares for some time to come.

4. New York Knicks

Awww, look at Kim Kardashian pretending that she likes sports when we all know she just likes sleeping with professional athletes.

Anywho! The Knicks just overtook the Lakers as the NBA's most valuable franchise, which means bandwagon fans could bump them up higher on this list in years to come.

For now, they come in at a very respectable No. 4 with the following five.

Brandy

R&B singer Brandy is almost better known as the sister of the guy who made a sex tape with Kim Kardashian or the singer who was (allegedly) the cause of a 2006 car accident that resulted in several injuries and one fatality.

Well…now, thanks to me, she's also known as a Knicks fan! (You're welcome, girl.)

Did You Know: Former Knicks player Jerome James previously toured with the Harlem Globetrotters and once dunked on a 11"4' basket.

Sarah Michelle Gellar

Photo via Maxim.com

Sarah Michelle Gellar is best known for her role as Buffy in Buffy the Vampire Slayer back in the '90s.

Gellar, a New York native, is an avid fan of both the Yankees and Knicks and often attends games with husband, Freddie Prinze Jr.

Did You Know: That the Knicks, short for Knickerbockers, are one of only two of the original NBA teams still located in its original city—the other team is the Celtics.

Courtney Rachel Culkin

Photo via Playboy.com

One time Playboy playmate Courtney Rachel Culkin is a native of Long Island, NY, and a Knicks fan. An enthusiastic fan, judging by the number of exclamation points that followed the answer on her blog.

Another fun fact from her blog: She really hates clothes. Naturally.

Did You Know: In 1947, the Knicks drafted the NBA's first minority player, Wataru Misaka, a Japanese American.

La La Vazquez

Photo via IamLaLa.com

Brooklyn native La La Vazquez is the wife of Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony, which qualifies her as a Knicks fan, despite the fact that the desperately aspiring actress probably has no interest in sports whatsoever.

Did You Know: The Knicks play in Madison Square Garden, which is one of the world's most famous arenas. MSG is where John Lennon had his final concert before his murder in 1980.

Lindsay Lohan

Photo via GQ Germany

You probably know that "wacktress" Lindsay Lohan is a full-on train wreck who has spent much of the last several years in and out of a courtroom (and jail).

But did you know that the Long Island native is also a devoted Knicks fan who hasn't gone Hollywood and adopted the Lakers?

Did You Know: Bulls legend Michael Jordan played his first professional game against the Knicks. He scored 33 points against the home team, and the crowd gave him a standing ovation.

3. Miami Heat

Since Miami is the home of the "Big Three," it makes sense that they'd place third on this list—but, with these five, they were just barely edged out for the No. 2 spot.

Gabrielle Anwar

Photo via USA Network

English actress Gabrielle Anwar is best known for her roles in The Tudors, Scent of a Woman and her current role in USA's Burn Notice. Anwar lives in Miami Beach with her restauranteur boyfriend and can often be seen in the stands at Heat games.

Did You Know: Heat star LeBron James is left-handed, but he actually shoots with his right hand. Oh, and his favorite cereal is Fruity Pebbles...yum!

Anna Kournikova

Photo via Maxim.com

Former tennis apparel model Anna Kournikova and her longtime boyfriend Enrique Iglesias are two of Miami's most beautiful residents. They can be seen sitting courtside at most Heat games.

Did You Know: Heat President, and former coach, Pat Riley was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the 11th round of the 1967 NFL draft.

Gabrielle Union

Actress Gabrielle Union has been dating Heat star Dwyane Wade since 2010, a timetable which may (or may not) overlap with Wade's marriage to ex-wife Siohvaughn Funches.

Did You Know: Heat star Chris Bosh was such a Kevin Garnett fan in high school that he also went by the nickname KG.

Bosh analyzed tapes of Garnett's famous spin move. The first time they faced each other, he used it on Garnett and scored.

Kavita Channe

Photo via Facebook.com/KavitaChanne

University of Florida alumna Kavita Channe is a co-host and sports correspondent for Mantalk Radio and the Miami Heat podcast. She's interviewed some of Miami's biggest stars, including one Mr. LeBron James at his birthday bash.

Channe is a an avid sports fan who recently created her own show 1stDown&Dirty which is available on YouTube.

Did You Know: In addition to being the youngest in the NBA, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra is the first Filipino-American head coach in the league.

Spoelstra is also one of few coaches who never played in the NBA.

Jaime Edmondson

Photo via JaimeEdmondson.net

Former Miami Dolphins cheerleader and Playboy Playmate Jaime Edmondson is a well known sports enthusiast who is a devoted fan of Miami's sports franchises. 

Did You Know: Heat star Dwyane Wade's favorite show growing up was Knight Rider and his favorite restaurants are McDonalds, Home Run Inn Pizza and Harold's Chicken Shack.

Dude keeps it real. Really real.

2. Boston Celtics

The aged Celtics might be too old and slow to win a championship in 2012, but fans can take solace in the fact that they have the second hottest celebrity fan base in the NBA. Yay!

Just kidding, I know this means nothing to the very loud and scary, confrontational fans of the Greater Boston area.

Ellen Pompeo

Actress Ellen Pompeo is best known for her role in Grey's Anatomy, which sucks, but she was also in Old School, which rules. Pompeo is a Massachusetts native and a serious Celtics fan.

She's serious enough to take out an ad congratulating them for winning the 2010 NBA Championship.

Did You Know: The Celtics' Paul Piece is tied with Lakers legend Kobe Bryant for the most 30-point games by an active player at Madison Square Garden.

Maria Menounos

The lovely Maria Menounos is a television host best known as a correspondent for Today, Access Hollywood and Extra.

In September 2011, with no end to the NBA lockout in sight, Paul Pierce dropped in on the set of Extra to play a pick-up game with Menounos, a Celtics superfan. 

Did You Know: While growing up, Celtics star Kevin Garnett's mother was a devoted Jehovah's Witness. KG was 19 before he celebrated his first Christmas and Halloween.

gisele bundchen

Photo via GQ.com

Supermodel Gisele Bundchen, aka Mrs. Tom Brady, has adopted the Celtics as her hometown team. She's often spotted in the stands taking in games with Tommy Terrific.

Did You Know: The Celtics mascot is Lucky the Leprechaun. Lucky's favorite foods are Lucky Charms and pizza with green peppers, his favorite book is Green Eggs & Ham and his favorite color is, of course, Celtics Green.

Eliza Dushku

Photo via Maxim.com

Smokin' hot actress Eliza Dushku is a Boston native and a diehard fan of the Red Sox and Celtics.

Dushku never misses a game when the Celtics are in (her new) town to play the Lakers. She's been spotted in the stands rooting on the Celts in various cities across the country.

Did You Know: Forget Miami's "Big Three," the Celtics had the original "Big Three" in Larry Bird, Robert Parish and Kevin McHale, who were together for three championships.

Mei-Ling Lam

Photo via MeiLingLam.com

The June 2011 Playboy Playmate of the Month, Mei-Ling Lam, grew up in Maine, but was born a Celtics fan.

According to Celticsgab.com, Lam's favorite (current) player is Rajon Rondo, she detests the Heat and the Lakers, and, like all true sports fans, thinks the refs are out to get her team.

Did You Know: The Celtics record for most points scored in a game was beaten twice in less than two weeks.

In 1985, Kevin McHale scored 56 points against the Pistons. Ten days later, Larry bird netted 60 against the Hawks.

1. Los Angeles Lakers

Photo via TMZ

Location, location, location. The Lakers have the undeniable advantage of being located in the city that attracts the beautiful, desperate-to-be-noticed, wannabe actresses (or models) by the millions.

They flock there in droves, and the ones that make it know that the Lakers games are the place to see and be seen.

Plus...they've got Jack Nicholson! Literally one of the coolest guys in the history of the world.

Blake Lively

Photo via MarieClaire.com

Actress Blake Lively is dating movie star Leonardo DiCaprio, a well-known Lakers fanatic. There are reports that the couple "share" a love of basketball, but Lively wasn't seen at Lakers games before her relationship with DiCaprio.

I suspect that she shares a love of whatever gets her closer to a fairytale wedding with one of the world's most eligible bachelors.

Did You Know: The Lakers hold the record for the NBA's longest winning streak (33) and 16 Hall of Famers have played for the team, while four have coached them.

Charlize Theron

When movie star Charlize Theron isn't off making movies, she can usually be found courtside at Lakers games—particularly during the playoffs. In November 2010, Theron had people talking when she gave Kobe Bryant a pregame hug for luck.

Did You Know: Lakers legend Kobe Bryant met his soon-to-be ex-wife Vanessa at the video shoot for "G'd Up" by Tha Eastsidaz. He was recording his ill-fated album in the same building. That's embarrassing.

Vanessa Hudgens

Photo via Details.com

Former Disney princess Vanessa Hudgens used to be known for starring in the High School Musical franchise and for dating teen heartthrob Zac Efron.

Now she's known for starring in naked self-portraits and distracting people at Lakers games.

Did You Know: In January 2012, Lakers legend Kobe Bryant scored his 28,000th point against the Nuggets in an otherwise forgettable loss in Denver.

Bryant is sixth player in NBA history to reach the milestone, making him first among active players and just 584 points behind Shaquille O'Neal.

Ashley Mattingly

Photo via AshleyMattingly.com

Playboy's March 2011 Playmate of the Month, Ashley Mattingly, is a Texas native who shunned her Mavericks in favor of the Lakers when she moved to California to pursue her career. Gotta respect that loyalty...

Did You Know: The late, great Wilt Chamberlain is one of many legends to play for the Lakers.

Chamberlain's accomplishments include: scoring 100 points in a single game, scoring 50+ points on 118 occasions, having his number retired by the famed Harlem Globetrotters, and reputedly scoring with some 20,000 women.

Halle Berry

Stunning actress Halle Berry has been known to date athletes and, like most celebrities in Los Angeles, she is frequently spotted taking in Lakers games.

In his 2011 memoirs, former Laker Shaquille O'Neal confessed to writing Berry fan mail after seeing her in Jungle Fever.

Shaq, who was in college at the time, was stunned to get a reply with a signed picture and a note insisting the actress was a big fan of his. It's good to be the king, isn't it Shaq?

Did You Know: According to Forbes magazine, the Lakers are the second most valuable franchise in the NBA, having an estimated value of $643 million. The Knicks recently replaced them as the most valuable.

Bonus Footage: Because I Care

Photo via One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

Did You Know: In January 2012, Amber Lee (this writer) is going to be test-driving a mailbag column, thanks to the kindness and the adventurous nature of the Bleacher Report Gods.

Which means I need mail from readers like you, because nobody wants me to be answering questions sent in by my mom! Trust me.

Hope you'll me on Twitter (@Blamberr) and/or email your questions or entertaining observations to [e-mail]!