Miami Heat Fans Named Best in the NBA, According to Math

[Scurrilous]

<snip>

"Remember all that talk about how Miami Heat fans are fair-weather at best and they didn't really deserve LeBron James? Well, not true says Forbes' math. Apparently we're the best fans in the entire NBA.

To come up with the rankings, Forbes took into account a variety of factors:

Hometown crowd reach (defined by market researchers Nielsen Scarborough as a percentage of the local population that watched, attended, and/or listened to a game in the last year) 3 years worth of television ratings 3 years of arena attendance based on capacity reached 3 years worth of merchandise sales Social media reach (a combination of Facebook likes and Twitter followers).

Noticeably shifts, spikes, and lulls over the three years were also taken into consideration.

To Forbes "surprise and a tad bit of disgust," the Miami Heat took the top spot. But instead of relying what they've heard on sports radio and Twitter, they actually did a bit of research and realized that this wasn't necessarily just because of the LeBron phenomenon. "Fact is the team has ranked in the top 5 in the league in attendance and/or filled their arena to capacity since the 2004-05 season. ...To boot, LeBron's exit did not open the floodgates for a mass exodus of fans. The Heat are still playing to a full capacity crowd and its merchandise is still a top seller."

http://blogs.miaminewtimes.com/riptide/2015/01/miami_heat_fans_named_best_in_the_nba_according_to_math.php


http://www.forbes.com/pictures/mlh45ekfm/the-nbas-best-fans/

[madinmaryland]

1. I'll say...

[El Supremo]

2. Sure.

[KamaAina]

3. According to meth?

That actually makes sense.

[Jamaal510]

4. How did the Warriors fans not make the top 10?

Even after all the sellouts over the years, and when they used to be weak. The Oracle is always rockin' when the Warriors are in town. They're one of the most rabid NBA fanbases, for sure (definitely compared to the Lakers and Heat fans).

[JonLP24]

7. They would be if they cutoff the data to a nearer standpoint

2004-05, they were near the bottom half 2006-07 is when they started appearing near the top 10, 07-08 they were 4th. Wasn't until 2012-2013 they were top 10 or higher but you always see a consistent group of teams Bulls, Heat, Mavericks that are always ahead of them -- including this season.

Not sure how they were since 04-05 ratings wise but ratings don't necessarily mean fans. Strong ratings usually mean there are other fans, outside the loyal fans watching the team. I'm also not sure what the competition is like for Warriors when it comes to California NBA teams broadcast in their area.

Social media -- I'm sure its strong now considering they have a superstar.

However, I think "best teams" is misinterpretation of the math, certainly the use of it would make a strong argument but you see generally franchises that don't test the loyalty much (Indiana did for about a period of 3-4 years and they're 7th). Warriors would probably rank among the top when it comes to the loyal fan bases, as long as they're aren't lying with statistics as the article in the OP is.

On edit - Ticket prices affect attendance, if teams lowered them enough, every team would sell out & Mark Cuban consistently sells tickets below league average--I knew this even though Forbes mentions this and I like how it is contrasted with Indiana Pacer raising prices (which is normal, following successful seasons).

Season ticket sales are up 34% from last year, the second straight season management has been able to enjoy a better than 30% rise -- an increase fans can stomach easier when their team posts the Eastern Conference's top record. Local television ratings also soared with a league-leading 99% increase from the prior year. Games on FS Midwest averaged 4.19, the fourth highest in the league.
http://www.forbes.com/pictures/mlh45ekfm/7-tie-indiana-pacers/

It was always like this until Ron Artest jumped into the stands.

[Jamaal510]

8. OK now I get it. eom

[trumad]

5. there you have it...

TI me for El to change his Avatar.

[JonLP24]

6. Miami has always had a tough home floor

Last edited Fri Jan 23, 2015, 07:44 AM - Edit history (1)

going back to the Alonzo Mourning days. Those Knicks-Heat playoff series were something else.

2004-05 was the year they traded for Shaq who was still in his unstoppable prime. They also had a top young performer who they recently drafted (like Lebron) Dwayne Wade who truly is one of the best guards since 2004-05. That year they had the #1 seed before losing to the defending champs Detroit in the Eastern finals. The year after that, they won the NBA Championship. Since 2004-05, it has rarely been hard to be a Heat fan, with or without Lebron James.

If this went back further, Indiana would be higher. When Conseco (or whatever) Fieldhouse opened up, Indiana had some pretty successful seasons, and this was even more true at home. 2000 they could beat any team in the league on their home floor which they did in splitting with Portland, defeating the Lakers ending their 1st long win streak of the season. They also outscored LA 338-297 in Conseco. After a few seasons of trading the old guard for the new they were in an epic defensive battle against Detroit in the 2004 ECF.

2004-05 was a turning point in Pacers franchise history, in a game where they had the top record in the conference and just demolished the NBA champions at home Ron Artest had a cup thrown at him and after that, their season ended and their franchise went into decline. Also Reggie Miller was retired & it was a rebuilding phase with the addition of Jermaine O'neal transforming from an All-Star center to a role player. Danny Granger was about all they had until the Paul George era.

Still, Miami was pretty good too during 99-2004, on the way to the 2004 ECF Indiana had to survive Miami where no road team won a game so they would be up there in ratings, attendance, etc going back further. Just that successful, long running franchises generally have that sort of that thing and think "best fans" is kinda silly interpretation of that. Phoenix would be in the top 10 if the post-Amare years weren't so painful. Always just outside the top 8 and they're floating around the 8 spot yet again this season. Oklahoma City had a great team emerge after the new car smell arena & team faded away so its easy to be "best fans" there. I don't mean to say this to knock Miami fans because "in Miami" has long been a tough place for opponents.

On edit - of course Cleveland wouldn't be on the list, they just had 3 #1 overall draft picks in those same 4 years. I agree that it was highly improbable for that to happen, they still were a poorly performing lottery team. That isn't exactly conducive for fan support.