Most major metropolis' are home to an NBA franchise but every city takes pride in their team a little differently. Some cities aren't even “basketball cities” and their franchises from other sports remain the favorite. For example, no matter how well the Detroit Pistons perform in the future, Detroit will always be known as “HockeyTown USA”.
4. Number 4 on our list of the NBA's best cities is the city of Portland, home of the Trail Blazers. For the past six seasons, the Trail Blazers have finished in the top 5 in NBA overall attendance, including finishing only behind the Chicago Bulls in 2011. They're the city's only professional franchise among the four major North American sports. Damian Lilliard has proven to be one of the NBA's brightest young stars and the team continues to build around him. They only have one NBA championship (1977) but the fact that they continue to finish in the top five in NBA attendance goes to show you just how passionate Trail Blazers fans are about their team. According to Stadium Journey, the concourses at the Moda Center are empty while the game is going on. The city is clean and the arena is on the banks of the beautiful Willamette River.
3. San Antonio – The Spurs need no introduction with what they've accomplished in the NBA's post season the last 15 years (titles in 1999, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2014). They have a trio of household names in Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili and future Hall of Famer Tim Duncan. They also boast one of the NBA's best coaches in Gregg Popovich. They are one of the NBA's smallest markets and the city's only professional franchise. But their excellent fan base, ownership and coaching staff have kept them in the hunt every season despite an aging core lineup and playing in the competitive Western Conference. With the lively Riverwalk and historic Alamo just a few miles from the arena, San Antonio is one city no NBA fan should skip if looking for a neat travel experience.
2. Dallas – The Dallas Mavericks became a contender as soon as Mark Cuban signed the dotted line to become the franchise's owner. Well, not immediately. But for the last twelve seasons, the Mavericks have finished in the NBA's top 5 in overall attendance; an astonishing feat. Mavericks fans have been very consistent. The team plays in a state of the art venue (American Airlines Center) which is one of the NBA's largest and most beautiful arenas. After sniffing the NBA championship in 2006, the Mavericks redeemed themselves by defeating Miami's “Big 3” in 2011. Future Hall of Famer Dirk Nowitzki has given the organization an identity.
1. Chicago – Chicago loves all of it's sports teams and it recently has become a hockey crazed city with the Blackhawks' success. However, the United Center still reeks of Michael Jordan and the six titles he brought to Chicago in eight seasons. When the city drafted hometown phenom Derrick Rose in 2008, the city's love for Bulls basketball was immediately revived. Rose hasn't managed to stay healthy nor has he managed to take the Bulls on a title run but the team has finished with the NBA's best attendance for the last five seasons. During each of those five seasons, the United Center operated at a capacity of more than 100% which means every single game was sold out. When the lights go off before the game and fans hear the sound of “Sirius”, there may not be a bigger rush in professional basketball.