I guess I should call you my spiritual brother, since you seem to hate the Lakers franchise as much as I do. (I don’t like the San Antonio Squirts either, of course, but the Lakers and what they represent is much more detestable. During the early 2000s, I was so sickened by the Lakers winning championships that I almost quit following the NBA.) But why hate the Mavericks, other than Don Nelson—who isn’t there anymore anyway? Or the Jazz?—come on, the last time they even met the Suns in the playoffs was eighteen years ago. They’re extremely boring, but they play hard and, for the same reason you cited, Jerry Sloan, is my favorite coach. He’s the best I’ve ever seen at getting something from nothing.

1. Spurs — Maybe I respect them, but that doesn’t stop me from hating them.
2. Lakers — I don’t think this needs too many reasons.
3. Mavericks — Although this isn’t as bad as it was before they got Trix. Now it’s a little tougher for me.
4. Nuggets — Because I just don’t understand how Billups for AI made that much of a difference.
5. Grizzlies — Mostly because we haven’t yet had the benefit of dealing with Chris Wallace like our contenders have.

1. Mavericks – I hate the Mavericks with an unholy passion. I think Dirk was the worst MVP of the past ten years. I hate Kidd, Dampier, Nowitzki, Terry – all no class. Cuban is a total schmuck. But the biggest reason they are number one? I don’t think I respect a single thing about them, period. All negative, no positive.
2. Lakers – Explaining why we hate the Lakers is like explaining why we hate the Yankees, Donald Trump and France. Yes, the are technically successful, but they are also soul-less, phony ass-hats.
3. Spurs – I actually respect them a little too much. Much like Wes Mantooth and Ron Burgundy, I hate you, San Antonio, but damnit I do respect you. Also, Horry is gone.
4. Jazz – The Jazz have always been a strange combination of weird (Stockton, Harprin, AK-47, Korver) and thug (Malone, Boozer). They have the WORST fans in the NBA, as well (not in terms of lack of support, but in terms of being totally, morally, inappropriate).
5. Thunder – I will never like this franchise after what happened in Seattle

Lakers suck!

Ronnie Price has stated that he hates the Lakers as well. So maybe that softens your stance on the Jazz.

1- Spurs: Do I really need to explain why?!
1a- LA Fakers (I respect the great players they’ve had over the years so my hatred stems from them being so damn successful! I’m a hater & I’m not afraid to state so!! I’ve despised them since the Showtime years…)
2- Mavs (They always seem to beat us when we NEED to win! Damn Mavs always seem to be a l’il bit better…that’s what I hate most about them!)

I didn’t become an NBA follower (I’m not an NBA “fan” anymore, just a Suns fan) until 1993, but as far as I can tell, most people in the 1980s liked the Lakers because they had a sexier image than the Celtics. I’m always bothered by that.

No one else even close….

I used to hate the suns the most, until the mavs became relevant again.

I think it’s because I feel like the Suns ALWAYS lose to the Spurs, there have been good games where they can beat the Lakers. Times like Tim Thomas.

5) Golden State Warriors- I admire their fervent fanbase and enjoy their high octane basketball, they’re like Phoenix… on steroids. The Arena is what the Purple Palace should be. But with that drunk scoundrel Nelson screwing us over, I really hope we bust him.

4) Memphis Grizzles- the best trade facilitators and worst competitive team. They ought to be a D-league team by the way they run things.

3) Oklahoma Thunder- Seattle is a beautiful city with a great fanbase. Stern facilitated the theft of the Sonics, so now this team will forever be a bastard team to me.

2) San Antonio Spurs- the big Texas monkey on our back
     - Their floppers (Manu, Duncan) and the stupid face Duncan makes when he gets called.
     - The fact that they have always prevented Phoenix from a title
     - Robert WHOREy
     - the smug fans
     - Parker’s unshaved face
+ gotta respect the efficiency in which they execute the game, Popovich is like a basketball Belichick
+ amazed at Parker and Manu minus the flopping
+ upholders of basketballl fundememtals

1) Los Angeles Lakers- urgh what can you say? In a match up, I would root for all these teams on the list if it meant the downfall of the Lakers (yes EVEN San Antonio). It all stated when I was ‘bout 9 years old watching the 2000 playoff series with Back Court 2000 versus Kobe and Shaq. All the missed calls in favor of the Lakers, and the ass kissing by the media, “Oh Kobe how could you make that shot with Kidd in your face!” Made me a hater for life!
- I HATE Pau Gasol and his cockiness. He takes two simple steps to the basket and makes a little layup and then pumps his chest like he just dunked over every center in the league. Oh and as an Asian, I didn’t appreciate his little slant eyed gesture with the rest of Team Espana
- I HATE Vujacic and how he keeps pissin’ purple with that annoying frantic dance he calls defense when his man is BEYOND REACH OF THE BALL!
- I HATED Kwame Brown when he stood over Diaw, and was further enraged to learn he’s also a sexual predator… as well as a dumbass who doesn’t know his ass from his elbow on the court
- I’M GOING TO HATE Ron Artest, that man belongs in a jail
- Kobe, enough said
- Phil Jackson, intelligent, but pompous. And dude, you’re a white-boy, THE ZEN CRAP IS VERY ANNOYING!
- The city itself is so superficial, only thing that can make me stand it is my family over there
- The one fan base I truly despise! I can respect Dallas and San Antonio fans ‘cause despite the disagreements, they’re loyal, loud, and intelligent.
FAKER fans are celebrities that come to BE SEEN, not to see. Everyone else is just a fan of the image of the team, not of the actual substance on the court, I’m giving them too much credit by calling them fans.
+ but I do respect the Laker greats like Wilt, Kareem, Magic, and Byron Scott. Those dudes had class, unlike their successors.

I hate the Spurs with a passion. I do not like the Lakers but its more directed to the fans then the team. Lakers fans are the worst. They are like Yankee and Cowboy fans.

the Fakers! Always have, always will. They are the only team that can make me root for the Spurs. I hate the Spurs too, but it is more out of an envy of their well-structured organization and consistency. I respect them, too. But with the Lakers, it’s just pure hatred – nothing more, nothing less. I hate their despicable, unintelligent, bandwagon fans, their supposed “Hollywood glamor,” Jackson, and most of all, Kobe. It was truly infuriating watching them win the title this year…

They are close to signing another former Sun-Tim Thomas.

I hate LA as much as the Spurs……..

Just wondering, why was my comment deleted?

I have this urge to vote “Spurs” so that we can beat the Lakers, but it wouldn’t be fair to skew the poll like that. C’mon, guys, hate us more than the Lakers. You can do it.

technically, not Western Conf foes, but the help they’ve given to our foes makes them hateworthy…

…but not all THAT well. We’re not even in your division, and we’ve struggled to win in Phoenix for years. As a Nuggets fan, I completely agree that KMart is a total thug and I understand that sentiment, but all good teams have had an enforcer on them. J.R., however, has really started to mature (keep in mind the guy is just 23) and Chauncey has brought the steadying veteran hand to a number of young core players. Keep this in mind:

Carmelo – 24
J.R. – 23
Lawson – 21
Nene – 26
Balkman – 24
Afflalo – 23
Petro – 23
Kleiza – 24

Birdman, A.C., Chauncey and Hart are the only players on the team 30 or older. Half the guys are under 25. Denver is a very young core with some promising players who are sure to be forces for years to come.