The Most Annoying Celebrity Fans of the NBA, Ranked
The Toronto Raptors won the NBA Championship for the first time in franchise history in 2018. The Raptors have nurtured a rabid fan base over the 24 years of their history. During their playoff run, Raptors’ fever extended beyond the seating of the Scotiabank Arena. Fans lined up as early as 4 AM for the official watch party outside the stadium called “Jurassic Park.” The Raptors have captured the hearts of an entire country, but one Toronto fan is way too in his feelings. That would be Drake. He’s exhibited out of control behavior courtside during the playoffs. Drake is the latest celebrity to garner criticism for over the top behavior at their expensive courtside seats. But it’s a long-time New York Knicks fan that heads our ranking of the most annoying celebrity fans of the NBA.
5. Drake
Drake is not a fly-by-night, bandwagon fan. He’s an official Raptors global ambassador and designed a special OVO alternate uniform. Drake earned his courtside seat, but in the words of Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, with great power, comes great responsibility.
During Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals versus the Milwaukee Bucks, Drake rubbed Raptors Head Coach Nick Nurse’s shoulders on the sidelines. NBA commissioner Adam Silver said about Drake’s antics, “Certainly we don’t want fans — friend or foe — contacting an NBA coach during a game.”
When he’s not giving inappropriate shoulder rubs, he talking smack. After Game 1 of the NBA Finals, he reportedly called the Warriors “trash” to Draymond Green. After Game 2, Drake exchanged more words with Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson. Aubrey has a history of beefs with NBA players. ‘ChampagnePapi’ got into a war of words with Cavs’ bench player Kendrick Perkins after a Raptors victory in 2018.
What’s worse–Drake is sports bad luck charm. The Kentucky Wildcats, the Crimson Tide, even Serena Williams all fell victim to the Drake curse. He may be one of the most popular rappers on the planet, but Drake needs to chill. His antics make him look very thirsty.
4. Justin Bieber
Is there anything original about Justin Bieber? Probably not, because he’s apparently a fan of every sports team on the planet, ala Drake. And just like Drake, there’s a Bieber sports curse. He’s rooted for the Toronto Maple Leafs, supported the Pittsburgh Steelers, the New York Giants, the Spanish Men’s Soccer Team, and the Philadelphia 76ers. But Bieber’s most annoying sports-related activity is his relationship with boxer Floyd “Money” Mayweather.
On more than occasion, Bieber walked Mayweather to the ring before his big fights. There’s nothing “combat” about the Biebs. Bieber shouldn’t be in a ring, ever. Then when ‘JB’ found religion, he distanced himself from Mayweather. Not only is Justin Bieber a bad luck charm, but he’s also not loyal. Please do all sports fans a favor and root for your teams in private.
3. LaVar Ball
The patriarch of the Ball basketball is a delusional self-promoter. LaVar only averaged 2.2 pts in college basketball career, yet he told USA Today Sports he’s a better player than Michael Jordan. “Back in my heyday, I would kill Michael Jordan one-on-one. He cannot stop me one-on-one. He better make every shot ’cause he can’t go around me. He’s not fast enough.”
Ball is a stage father on steroids. When his oldest son Lonzo Ball struggled during his rookie season with the Los Angeles Lakers, LaVar was one of the loudest voices demanding the firing of Luke Walton.
Then LiAngelo Ball, the middle son of the trio, was arrested for shoplifting in China. LaVar got into a war of words with President Donald Trump in the aftermath of the international incident. Trump supposedly spoke to Chinese officials to help free LiAngelo and two other teammates. LaVar is even more hands-on with his youngest son LaMelo. LaVar pulled LaMelo out of Chino Hills High School in Los Angeles over disagreements with the head basketball coach.
The BBB Brand
As former SportsNation host Michelle Beadle said about BBB, the brand is “hot garbage.” LaVar launched BBB in 2016 and it’s first signature shoe — Lonzo’s ZO2s retailed for $495. LaMelo got his own BBB signature shoe in 2017, putting his college eligibility at risk. LaVar’s reaction was, “NCAA ain’t going to tell me s—. Because they’re not my boss.” LaVar is damaging his sons’ reputations even before their careers hit full stride. He needs to fall back and stop trying to live vicariously through his boys. We’re embarrassed that LaVar is on any list of the most annoying celebrity fans in the NBA.
2. Jack Nicholson
Do you sense a trend? The Lakers attract over-the-top celebrities. And there’s not bigger celeb Lakers’ superfan than Jack Nicholson. Don’t get us wrong, we love his movies. He’s made this list for one reason, his mistreatment of First and Ten Sports favorite Maria Menounos. Menounos is a diehard Boston Celtics and was seated courtside for a Celtics/Lakers playoff game in 2010. During her appearance on Conan O’Brien in 2013, Menounos revealed Nicholson didn’t appreciate her enthusiasm and called in a favor to Lakers’ owner Dr. Jerry Buss. All of sudden, security approached her and Dane Cook and asked them to leave. C’mon Mr. Nicholson, you’re better than that. Let Maria root for her team in peace.
1. Spike Lee–NBA Most Annoying Celebrity Fan
If you’ve ever watched a New York Knicks game, you know two things — there’s a good chance they’ll lose and Director Spike Lee will be seated courtside. Spike takes his love for the Orange and Blue too far. During the 1994 Eastern Conference Finals, Lee’s verbal exchanges with Pacers Hall of Famer Reggie Miller nearly cost New York the series and a chance at the NBA title.
The Knicks led the Pacers by a score of 70-58. That’s when Miller went off. He exploded for 25 points in the quarter, including five three-pointers, and after every basket, he stared and trash-talked Spike Lee. At first, Marv Albert and the NBC broadcast couldn’t figure out what was going on. By the time the quarter was over and the Pacers had won, all of New York knew what happened. Miller’s beef with Spike fueled his stellar fourth-quarter performance. At one point, Miller even clutched his throat to indicate the Knicks were choking. Thankfully, the Knicks beat the Pacers in games six and seven to close out the series.
Spike gave more details about what happened between the two during Game 5 in 30 for 30 Winning Time: Reggie Miller vs. The New York Knicks. Lee revealed Miller grabbed his crotch in the direction of his wife during the epic fourth quarter. It was those gestures that caused Spike to respond so aggressively to Miller and not his 25-point quarter.
What do you think about our rankings? Who are your choices for the most annoying celebrity fan of the NBA? Do you think we missed someone? Sound off in our comments section.