winwin
08-10-2014, 08:37 AM
The Los Angeles Lakers, largely due to their long tradition of winning, have always been amongst the most despised franchises in the NBA. That point has never been disputed even by the team's greatest ever players and they have often revelled in their unique position.
But, as discovered by a recent Reddit poll which garnered over 42,000 votes, the famous franchise are actually now the most hated NBA franchise in their home state of California.
Conducted over the weekend, the poll shows that whilst the Miami Heat can be crowned the most disliked team in America with 24 states voting in favor of the East coast powerhouse - the Lakers register are a close second with 21 states picking them as the team they love to hate.
Only four other teams are revered as much so as to receive the overall state vote; Chicago (in border-state Wisconsin), the Los Angeles Clippers (Georgia), the Oklahoma City Thunder (Washington), and Cleveland Cavaliers (Delaware).
The Bulls are chosen by their rival state, whilst Washington's strong dislike for OKC is of course born out of the loss of their own NBA franchise the Seattle SuperSonics to Oklahoma City back in 2008.
As for Georgia's distain of the Clippers, it is likely that Donald Sterling's recent disgraceful comments played a part.
But with the Lakers coming out on top in California it can only be assumed that the Clippers fans were busy voting in their own state whilst the poll was underway.
On the court the Lakers are undergoing somewhat of a transitional period at this point with Byron Scott looking to steady the ship after a couple of tumultuous years. But even with the franchise currently a shadow of their former selves you would have expected the Lakers to be usurped for the 'honor' of most hated team when it came to their home territory.
Why the hate?
As eluded to earlier however, with success comes great dislike. It is a common theme that transcends the NBA into sport across the world - just look at Manchester United in the English Premier League.
The more you win, the more you become disliked. It is as simple as that.
And whilst the Lakers of late have not been keeping up appearances (the less said about their recent 27-55 season the better), 16 NBA titles is going to bring with it some jealousy and anger from rival fans across the league.
Of course the Lakers franchise is one of the most popular and recognizable across the globe, but, as is often the case, people motivated by anger and dislike are always more vocal it situations like this.
Whether it is the Showtime era showboating dominance, their perceived high-spending days, or the fact they have had one of the most polarizing players in living memory on their roster for the past 18 years (step forward Kobe Bryant) the hate towards the Lakers franchise is deep rooted in many.
Miami on top
Miami, much like the Lakers, are a victim of their own success. Four consecutive NBA Finals appearances, two NBA titles, a team packed with superstars, and a fan base often criticised for jumping on the bandwagon has helped them become both America's most followed and most-hated NBA team.
With LeBron James gone and their power likely diminished it will be interesting to see how well the Heat fair on the court next season. A fall down the pecking order may not be an ambition of Eric Spoelstra and Pat Riley but at least it might help them lose out in a few states next time this poll rears its head.
http://www.givemesport.com/491954-la-lakers-are-second-most-hated-team-in-us-but-come-top-in-california
But, as discovered by a recent Reddit poll which garnered over 42,000 votes, the famous franchise are actually now the most hated NBA franchise in their home state of California.
Conducted over the weekend, the poll shows that whilst the Miami Heat can be crowned the most disliked team in America with 24 states voting in favor of the East coast powerhouse - the Lakers register are a close second with 21 states picking them as the team they love to hate.
Only four other teams are revered as much so as to receive the overall state vote; Chicago (in border-state Wisconsin), the Los Angeles Clippers (Georgia), the Oklahoma City Thunder (Washington), and Cleveland Cavaliers (Delaware).
The Bulls are chosen by their rival state, whilst Washington's strong dislike for OKC is of course born out of the loss of their own NBA franchise the Seattle SuperSonics to Oklahoma City back in 2008.
As for Georgia's distain of the Clippers, it is likely that Donald Sterling's recent disgraceful comments played a part.
But with the Lakers coming out on top in California it can only be assumed that the Clippers fans were busy voting in their own state whilst the poll was underway.
On the court the Lakers are undergoing somewhat of a transitional period at this point with Byron Scott looking to steady the ship after a couple of tumultuous years. But even with the franchise currently a shadow of their former selves you would have expected the Lakers to be usurped for the 'honor' of most hated team when it came to their home territory.
Why the hate?
As eluded to earlier however, with success comes great dislike. It is a common theme that transcends the NBA into sport across the world - just look at Manchester United in the English Premier League.
The more you win, the more you become disliked. It is as simple as that.
And whilst the Lakers of late have not been keeping up appearances (the less said about their recent 27-55 season the better), 16 NBA titles is going to bring with it some jealousy and anger from rival fans across the league.
Of course the Lakers franchise is one of the most popular and recognizable across the globe, but, as is often the case, people motivated by anger and dislike are always more vocal it situations like this.
Whether it is the Showtime era showboating dominance, their perceived high-spending days, or the fact they have had one of the most polarizing players in living memory on their roster for the past 18 years (step forward Kobe Bryant) the hate towards the Lakers franchise is deep rooted in many.
Miami on top
Miami, much like the Lakers, are a victim of their own success. Four consecutive NBA Finals appearances, two NBA titles, a team packed with superstars, and a fan base often criticised for jumping on the bandwagon has helped them become both America's most followed and most-hated NBA team.
With LeBron James gone and their power likely diminished it will be interesting to see how well the Heat fair on the court next season. A fall down the pecking order may not be an ambition of Eric Spoelstra and Pat Riley but at least it might help them lose out in a few states next time this poll rears its head.
http://www.givemesport.com/491954-la-lakers-are-second-most-hated-team-in-us-but-come-top-in-california