FanSided just released its second annual Fandom 250. The top fan bases were ranked, and unfortunately the Portland Trail Blazers failed to crack the top 250.
Portland is a small market in the NBA world. Our biggest free agent pickups the last ten years include Andre Miller, Wesley Matthews, Jamal Crawford, Al-Farouq Aminu and Evan Turner.
The recent faces of the franchise have come out of drafts. Brandon Roy, Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum were all taken in the first round by Portland. The Chicago Bulls selected LaMarcus Aldridge, but he was immediately traded to the Blazers for a pick and two players.
Still, it is tough to see the team not even make the top 250 fan bases. What’s even tougher, though, is Ohio State having the “best” fans. No one likes Ohio State.
Even the Portland Timbers made it this year at #189! Is soccer bigger here now?
While the Portland Trail Blazers organization may not have the MOST fans in the NBA, I’ll argue that we have the best fans.
The team has not won a championship since 1977. Four of five starters did not return after the 2015 season. Playoffs are barely reached each year, only to end in a brutal first or second round exit.
Nonetheless, I still see support from fans, believing that this year is our year.
Next: Is David Vanterpool behind the defensive turnaround?
Sure, fans like to play GM occasionally (especially during the five-game losing streak that just ended). But they want what’s best for the team, even if that means trading away a longtime player to clear cap space.
No stadium is louder than the Moda Center when Damian knocks down his fourth straight three-pointer. And no fan base has ever been more excited than after Dame hit the infamous, series-clinching three with 0.9 seconds remaining against the Houston Rockets.
Also, Lil Wayne is a Blazers fan.
Fandom 250, take that for data.