NBA Franchises That Need More Help/Support from Their Fans
When one envisions a raucous atmosphere in the NBA, thoughts immediately shift to Madison Square Garden, Boston's TD Garden or even Chesapeake Arena in Oklahoma City.
However, winning teams don't necessarily have fans turning out in droves to support their team, even in the playoffs. In the past few seasons, teams have had empty seats turn up even through the second round—we'll get to them later.
For other teams, like the Charlotte Bobcats and Sacramento Kings, we can't really blame them for sitting out the games. With ownership running things so poorly to create a horrible team, the blame definitely does not lie with the fans.
Most good-to-great teams in the NBA have good turnout attendance, including the Chicago Bulls, San Antonio Spurs, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat and Dallas Mavericks.
I tend to rate the bad teams on a different scale because when the team is worse off without a basketball culture or rich history, it's tough for fans to just come out. Why would fans watch the Washington Wizards and New Orleans Hornets if they never win?
With that being said, there are seven solid franchises that fit the criteria with underwhelming attendance rates. We all know how a crazy atmosphere in the playoffs mean (see Golden State Warriors in 2007), and these playoff contenders could use a bit more noise.
7. Houston Rockets
1 of 7The San Antonio Spurs and Dallas Mavericks are annual fixtures in the top 10, but the Houston Rockets are sitting on the outside looking in at 14th.
Even in Yao Ming's historic 2006-07 season, the Rockets were 26th in attendance in the NBA.
The Rockets own the fifth-best road attendance in the NBA, which goes to show just how bad their home attendance is.
With the James Harden trade and ascension into a superstar along with a postseason berth, the Houston Rockets are looking set this season. Combine that with their frenetic style of play—incessant three-point shooting—and promising future with a bevy of first-round picks and GM Daryl Morey, it's hard to find a weak spot here.
That being said, the strong Asian-American population and increasing winning percentages states its case for fans to come out more often.
6. Brooklyn Nets
2 of 7Attendance: 16th in NBA, 17,185
A brand new state-of-the-art stadium led by the marketing power of Jay-Z and Beyonce hasn't done much to revitalize the brand of basketball in New York. One would think the Clash of the Boroughs—or just the change of scenery—in a basketball-starved city would do wonders.
But that hasn't happened. Part of the problem is that it may take a few years for prices to stabilize in a weak economy, but the bigger aspect lies in the star power of the team.
Even though they are solid and perhaps contenders for the second-best Eastern Conference team behind the Miami Heat, the combination of Joe Johnson, Brook Lopez, Gerald Wallace and Deron Williams doesn't really spark up interest.
Granted, not every team can have a LeBron James, but the large amount of money spent might hamstring them for the foreseeable future—that trade for Gerald Wallace and the contract isn't working out so well considering the pick went to Portland for Damian Lillard.
It remains to be seen how fans will feel about basketball in Brooklyn, but it's been a lukewarm start.
5. Milwaukee Bucks
3 of 7Attendance: 27th in NBA, 14,895
It's just one season—and it doesn't represent what a full fan base has done in the past decade—but doesn't a Larry Sanders, Monta Ellis and Brandon Jennings trio excite you? Most fans might not know their style of play, but it sure is addicting even if you're on the periphery looking in.
Look at the past years, and we find that they've made the playoffs one time in the past seven seasons, so this is somewhat acceptable. Throw in the fact that they have the Green Bay Packers, and we understand the lack of interest.
But it doesn't change the fact that they'll need more fan support for this season and next. They have a couple solid core players in Sanders, J.J. Redick (assuming he re-signs after the mid-season trade) and John Henson who should garner more run in the future.
The upcoming season is in question with the pending decisions on free agency by Ellis and Jennings, but a first-round playoff series with the Miami Heat should provide a jolt of energy for the Bucks fans.
Especially if they can win a series, or a game.
4. Denver Nuggets
4 of 7Attendance: 14th in NBA, 17,708
The Denver Nuggets ranked 12th in attendance during the 2009-10 season. That's been their best showing in the past decade. For a team that is currently good and has been for the past several seasons with Carmelo Anthony and their current team of solid players, this is unheard of.
The Nuggets are known for having a massive home-court advantage because of their high-altitude stadium led by a super-energetic team that will run you off the court.
Ten years—counting this one—in the playoffs at that electric home-court warrants at least a top 10 standing, but the Nuggets fans conversely struggle to fill seats.
Perhaps the problem without having a superstar goes further than the "inability" to win a championship but also the lack of fan interest.
People don't go to games just to watch Andre Iguodala play smothering defense. They crave the superstar complex, and the Denver Nuggets—no matter how good—can't bring that.
3. Memphis Grizzlies
5 of 7Attendance: 19th in NBA, 15,937
The team motto "Grit N' Grind" apparently hasn't rolled over to its fans because they don't appear to care too much about the team, attendance-wise.
After their first-round upset of San Antonio Spurs, the Grizzlies haven't garnered too much support from fans in the stands. The fans obviously do not have a tangible impact on the game, but it'd be nice if the atmosphere of the crowd matched the defensive intensity set by Marc Gasol and company.
Despite financial struggles—hence trade of Rudy Gay—the future still seems somewhat bright with the addition of Ed Davis and the great play of Marc Gasol.
The Grizzlies also sell the second-cheapest ticket prices in all of the NBA despite being one of the best teams in the Western Conference.
It's about time the fans show out in droves for a team poised to make a deep run in the playoffs.
2. Atlanta Hawks
6 of 7Attendance: 26th in NBA, 14,995
Not known as a championship contender, the Atlanta Hawks have actually made the playoffs in the past five seasons—and are poised to make another run in this one.
With the Eastern Conference so wide open after the Miami Heat, the Hawks have a chance to get deep into the second round and even to the Eastern Conference Finals.
This being Josh Smith's last season is potentially paramount for a team that may be rebuilding after this campaign and his pending free-agency.
Despite their moderate success, no one has shown up to games, especially in the playoffs. They may not be missing a championship-contending team, but the Josh Smith-Al Horford duo has been a fun ride the past few years.
The Indiana Pacers, Brooklyn Nets and New York Knicks all have huge flaws, and this may be the Hawks' last season contending. It'd be nice to see a couple more people in the stands when Josh Smith throws down a dunk.
1. Indiana Pacers
7 of 7Attendance: 25th in NBA, 15,035
George Hill supports me on this one.
You can argue as to how he said it and whether he should have said it, but the fact remains that people just don't show up to Pacers games.
Landing in the middle of the pack is acceptable, especially for a team with a small history and little star power. But a near last-place finish for a team in the state of the Hoosiers, fourth-lowest ticket sales and a real chance at a shot against the Miami Heat?
That's unacceptable.
