I’ll rank the fanbases based on how happy they are with their team right now. This will not just include the 15 game performance but other external info like team future, injuries, etc.
I’ll separate the rankings by Zach Lowe’s preseason NBA tiers, since its hard to compare teams with wildly different expectations.
I’m sure Ill get some wrong since Im not a fan of all 30 teams but thats what the comments are for, to correct me.
The Inner Circle
Boston Celtics
Phoenix Suns
Denver Nuggets
Milwaukee Bucks
This is the hardest group to order. All fanbases have pretty similar levels of being satisfied to the most part, with some concerns/complaints for each group. I could have the order completely wrong tbh, but i think boston belongs at #1 and 2-4 are interchangable. The only reason I have MKE at 4 is because preseason the expectation was co-favorite with Boston, and now theyre seen as slightly behind. Denver fans are annoyed about performance but thats with Murray missing, and suns fans feel good about how things are going, knowing they are behind Denver in odds but thats as expected.
Second Sanctum + Top 6 West (combining 2 groups)
Wolves
Kings
Lakers
Warriors
Not much to explain here. I wasnt sure whether to put Lakers or Kings at 2nd so I’ll let fans tell me what the right choice is. Wolves are killing it and Warriors non-Steph performances are below expectations for the most part.
East Top 6 Lock + Hopefuls
76ers
Heat
Knicks
Hawks
Cavs
76ers and Heat are both happy with beating expectations thus far, although 76ers had more self doubt about it and Heat fans seemed to believe all along theyd be fine. Knicks look solid as usual, Hawks are promising but also have let down performances too frequently for comfort, and Cavs are up and down when fans were hopeful theyd be a level above the rest here.
East Play in
Magic
Pacers
Nets
Raptors
Bulls
Nothing to explain here - had Nets over Raptors because I think fans are happier with the direction of the team for Nets, although Scottie Barnes improvement could definitely be enough to swap the two. I dont really know how Nets fans feel about their team tbh.
Worried in the West
Thunder
Mavs
Pelicans
Grizzlies
Clippers
Easy to rank at the top, more confusing at the bottom. Where do the Grizzlies fall? Expectations arent being met, but given its a young team with future chances, is an underperformance as bothersome as a clips team with older players? Meanwhile, the Clippers may be starting to figure it out and the fan opinion could be completely changing, so this one could be way off. You can rank the bottom 3 in any order and it’ll make sense to me.
Maybe next year
Rockets
…
Hornets
Spurs
Wizards
Blazers
Jazz
Pistons
What a weird group to rank. Rockets are basically in their own tier. Wizards are the neutral member of the group; theyre ready to tank and dont care how it happens. Spurs and Hornets feel slightly positive, seeing Wembys promise and potential and Hornets with Lamelo and Miller and Williams looking good. Blazers are very slightly negative given the injuries thus far, but Camara and Sharpe give some excitement and promise. The Jazz and Pistons hoped to be more competitive than they are.