Ranking Every NBA Team's Watchability

We watch NBA games to be entertained and to see amazing happen on the basketball court, if I may steal the league's catchphrase.

But which teams rise above the others in terms of watchability? That's what we're looking at here. 

Watchability encompasses so many things that it's impossible to list them all here. Teams can be watchable because they have star players, because they win games, because they commonly showcase ridiculous feats of athleticism, because they have endearing traits or because they simply need to be watched.

Really, though, the best explanation that I can give you is to point you forward and into the rankings.  

30. New Orleans Hornets

Unless you're from New Orleans, I really have no idea what would make you want to watch a Hornets game—at least until Eric Gordon returns. 

The team just isn't any good (see the 9-30 record for proof) and they don't have a single marketable player. 

But hey, if you can convince yourself to get excited about Jarrett Jack, Chris Kaman and Emeka Okafor, more power to you.  

29. Toronto Raptors

The Toronto Raptors are in a very similar situation to the New Orleans Hornets. 

DeMar DeRozan is admittedly fun to watch, but it's hard to get too excited about him as he struggles through what was supposed to be his breakout campaign. Then we've got Andrea Bargnani, one of the premier offensive big men in the game. 

But Bargnani loses points because he hasn't blossomed into the type of player that a No. 1 overall pick is supposed to become, and the rest of the Raptors roster fails to inspire.

28. Charlotte Bobcats

The Charlotte Bobcats are terrible. There is no sugarcoating that at all. 

I have absolutely no idea how they've managed to win five games thus far, including a 16-point victory against the heavily favored Orlando Magic. 

The one major plus to tuning into a Bobcats contest is that you get to watch two future studs in Kemba Walker and Bismack Biyombo. Kemba always has his fair share of jaw-dropping feats of quickness and Biyombo is a blocked shot waiting to happen. 

27. Milwaukee Bucks

If it wasn't for Brandon Jennings, the Milwaukee Bucks would have found themselves even lower in these rankings. 

"Fear the Deer" seems to be a thing of the past as the Bucks have struggled to the tune of a 15-24 record. 

As great as it is to watch the left-handed point guard do his thing (missing a lot of shots but refusing to stop shooting, racking up tons of points in the process), the rest of this roster is uninspiring at best. 

26. Detroit Pistons

As you've probably already realized, I enjoy watching the development of young potential—as does almost every other NBA fan on the planet.

The Detroit Pistons team might not win too many games, but they do boast the services of two high-upside players. 

Brandon Knight has struggled through his rookie season, even though he is displaying signs of a turnaround. Meanwhile, Greg Monroe has established himself as one of the league's better big men and had a first half that was worthy of an All-Star selection. 

25. Houston Rockets

As their 21-19 record shows, the Houston Rockets are actually a fairly good basketball team. But you'd never guess that just by looking at their roster. 

Seriously, while it's fun to watch winning basketball, it's a lot less fun to watch that winning come in the form of Kevin Martin, Kyle Lowry and Luis Scola. 

Can you remember the last time that the Rockets were shown on ESPN, TNT or any other national network? There's a reason for that. 

24. Phoenix Suns

Having the 17-21 Phoenix Suns at No. 24 in the rankings is nothing more than a testament to the greatness of a certain 38-year-old point guard. 

How many floor generals do you get to see putting up top-tier numbers when they're closer to 40 than 30? 

There really haven't been too many other than Steve Nash. Derek Fisher, trailing Nash in the embedded picture, certainly isn't one. 

23. Utah Jazz

Whether it's fair or not, uptempo teams with great guard play tend to trump slow-it-down-and-pound-away-in-the-paint teams for me.

The Utah Jazz, boasting the services of both Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap, definitely fall into that latter category.

Utah is a solid team and should hang on the brink of a playoff spot in the Western Conference all year long, but it'll never be a team that makes you want to sit on your couch and watch.

22. New Jersey Nets

New Jersey Nets fans, you can thank Deron Williams for this. 

21. Sacramento Kings

I've said it before and I'll say it again: I have no idea what happens in astrophysical terms when two or more black holes interact with each other in space. 

But when multiple black holes interact with each other on the basketball court, you get the Sacramento Kings. 

Isaiah Thomas, Marcus Thornton, Tyreke Evans, Jimmer Fredette and DeMarcus Cousins are all quite enjoyable to watch because you know how much each of them wants to make things happen—on their own.

20. Washington Wizards

Just like watching black holes is entertaining, so too is watching dysfunction in motion. 

Is there really any other word to describe the Washington Wizards? I feel bad for John Wall at times. 

But between Wall's athletic feats, Jordan Crawford's tendency to shoot and shoot and shoot and shoot, Jan Vesely's potential and Andray Blatche's Blatche-ness, this is one entertaining team. 

Plus, you never now what you're going to get from JaVale McGee on any given night. I keep waiting for him to decide he's fed up and score on his own basket repeatedly.

19. Denver Nuggets

After we leave the realm of the Washington Wizards et al. and move into the top 19, things get a little bit jumbled up. 

I struggled immensely with the order of the next three teams in particular and I'd be perfectly fine with you switching them up as you see fit. But this is what I settled on.

The Denver Nuggets have a very talented and deep team but they lack star power. When your best players are Danilo Gallinari and Ty Lawson, it's hard to get too excited. 

18. Portland Trail Blazers

Even though the Portland Trail Blazers have an inferior record, their (limited) star power pushes them past of the Denver Nuggets. 

LaMarcus Aldridge may not be the most fun player in the NBA to watch, but he is gaining name recognition and he deserves a lot more credit for his play than he gets. 

Moreover, who doesn't love them some Jamal Crawford? 

17. Memphis Grizzlies

The Memphis Grizzlies are the most talented of the last three teams we've looked at and they have quite a few top-notch players. 

Rudy Gay is a joy to watch and it seems as though he throws down at least one thunderous dunk on a nightly basis. Marc Gasol is steadily improving and may already be the second- or third-best center in the Association. Mike Conley is blindingly quick and a great man to get the offense flowing. 

Even though they don't play in a big market, the Grizz are starting to make some noise.

16. Dallas Mavericks

As hard as it was to put Dirk Nowitzki and the defending champions in the bottom half of the NBA in terms of watchability, I had to do it. 

They just get the job done and win games. It isn't particularly glamorous. It isn't pretty. 

It just works. 

But that's what tends to happen when almost every major contributor is already over 30. 

15. Golden State Warriors

Quite a few people predicted that the Golden State Warriors would make some noise this season thanks to the improved defensive focus under first-year head coach Mark Jackson. 

That hasn't exactly panned out, as the Dubs are still well below .500 and are 26th in points allowed per game. 

But the Warriors do get to throw Monta Ellis, Stephen Curry and David Lee out there on a nightly basis. If you like uptempo offense, you can't really ask for much more. 

14. Orlando Magic

Dwight Howard's dunks and defense. 

Ryan Anderson's threes.

I'm drawing a blank on what else there is to like about Orlando Magic telecasts. At least those few positives trump everything the previous 16 teams can throw at them.  

13. Boston Celtics

Even though the Boston Celtics are 20-18 after a 2008-like run in recent days, it feels as though they're still in danger of missing the playoffs. That lack of success is really the only thing keeping them from ascending even higher in these rankings. 

Rajon Rondo is a triple-double machine capable of producing lines that put him in the company of Oscar Robertson and Wilt Chamberlain. Kevin Garnett's intensity, Ray Allen's threes and Paul Pierce's ability to occasionally channel his younger days accompany Rondo's abilities.

That makes for a very watchable product, even if we discount the fact that the C's are always going to be a popular team. 

12. Cleveland Cavaliers

The Cleveland Cavaliers may not be closer than LeBron James to winning a title, much to the ire of Dan Gilbert, but they're still well on their way to becoming a highly watchable team for the first time since "The Decision." 

Kyrie Irving is 100 percent of the reason for that. He's having an absolutely sensational season filled with impressive box scores and game-winning shots. 

It's understandable if you still haven't gotten a chance to watch this 19-year-old play outside of his coming-out party during All-Star weekend, but do yourself a favor and remedy that as soon as possible. 

11. Indiana Pacers

The Indiana Pacers play the gritty, determined style of basketball that's going to become much more entertaining once the playoffs arrive and the pace of play slows down. 

That intensity makes them entertaining to watch, but can't quite push them into the top 10. 

Make no mistake though: Roy Hibbert, Danny Granger, Paul George and the rest of the Pacers are a team you don't want to miss on television. 

10. San Antonio Spurs

Now we come to the first of the teams that I consider elite in terms of contending, although not necessarily in a watchability sense. 

The San Antonio Spurs always seem to personify the character of their stoic leader, Tim Duncan. 

"The Big Fundamental" may be declining, but he's still a great player and the true leader of this team. He just goes about his business and gets stuff done. 

San Antonio will never blow you away but it will win games. That's exactly why people tend to under-appreciate seasons like the one that Tony Parker is having.

9. Philadelphia 76ers

How many players can do it all like Andre Iguodala? Sure, there are a few that manage to fulfill the requirements, but how many players can do it all and still have flair? Now the number drops. 

In addition to Iguodala, the Philadelphia 76ers have an incredibly deep lineup that boasts players like Thaddeus Young, Lou Williams and Jrue Holiday. Everyone on the roster seems to be young and up-and-coming. 

If Evan Turner can continue to play at his recent level, this team may move up in these rankings. 

8. Atlanta Hawks

Are the Atlanta Hawks listed too high? For the general public, the answer has to be yes. 

But for this Atlanta fan who's making the list, they may still be too low. We all have our favorite teams and we watch them religiously because both the ups and the downs tend to entertain us.

Personally, I love seeing Joe Johnson's smooth offensive game and Josh Smith's stat-stuffing and high-flying excellence. 

They don't call Phillips Arena "The Highlight Factory" for nothing. 

7. Minnesota Timberwolves

Who would have ever thought that halfway through the season the Minnesota Timberwolves would simultaneously be in the hunt for a playoff spot in the Western Conference and in the top 10 of the watchability index? 

Kevin Love is arguably the best power forward in the game and he's one of the few players in the league who actually make rebounding fun to watch. 

Then there's Ricky Rubio. Despite his regression to the mean during the last few weeks, Rubio still plays with that Maravichian flair that makes him quite the spectacle. 

6. Los Angeles Lakers

I'll be the first to admit that I don't actually like Kobe Bryant. But that doesn't mean that I can't put aside my bias and respect greatness on the basketball court. 

What the "Masked Mamba" is doing this season is simply sublime. This Los Angeles Lakers team has no business among the contenders, but Kobe is single-handedly keeping them afloat. At least three times a game, he makes you wonder how in the world he dropped that shot. 

Plus Andrew Bynum continues to grow as a center and Pau Gasol still has some moves. 

As the final touch that almost boosted them into the top five, the Lakers have a player whose jersey reads "World Peace" on the back. 

5. New York Knicks

This is one team whose placement is backed up by the television ratings. 

Linsanity has swept the nation. Even though Jeremy Lin has struggled recently, he still commands a ridiculous number of viewers who want to see if the former Harvard floor general can rekindle the magic of his first few starts. 

It doesn't hurt that Lin has two guys named Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire playing alongside him. You may have heard their names before. 

4. Chicago Bulls

I wanted to put the Chicago Bulls in the top three; I really did. But I just couldn't make myself bump them up one more slot. 

Derrick Rose is both the best point guard in the game and the second-most fun to watch at his position. Half the time he plays, he looks like a contortionist as he finds gaps in the defense that humans aren't supposed to fit through. 

The other half of the time, he's hitting open teammates and knocking down game-winning step-back jumpers. 

On top of Rose's excellence, Luol Deng is having a superb season and this team is easily in the top two in the Eastern Conference. 

We've now entered the "Must-See TV" zone. 

3. Los Angeles Clippers

There's one reason why I couldn't vault the Chicago Bulls over the Los Angeles Clippers in terms of watchability. 

This. 

2. Oklahoma City Thunder

I was so tempted to put a "1B." next to the Oklahoma City Thunder's name in the title of this slide. I didn't want to compromise the integrity of this list, so I had to go with the more traditional "2." 

How many teams have three players who can score 30 points in the same game, like Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and James Harden just did? 

How many teams have two players who can combine for 91 points while a third, Serge Ibaka, records a triple-double with blocks as one of the categories? 

How many teams have the league's best scorer (yes, I know that Kobe Bryant is the leading scorer right now) and the most dynamic, most entertaining to watch point guard in the league? 

I love everything about watching this Thunder squad. 

1. Miami Heat

The Miami Heat are not as entertaining as the Oklahoma City Thunder. I may be in the minority when I say that, but I truly believe it. 

"So Adam, why are they No. 1 over those Thunder?" you might ask. 

Well, watchability also includes the necessity to watch the teams. You can be an educated sports fan even if you missed the Thunder's game the night before. 

But the Miami Heat command so much of the conversation in NBA circles that you're almost required to watch as many of their games as you can. 

And LeBron James is really good.