Lakers 'Most Hated' Team In NBA, New Survey Shows

A recent survey revealed that the Los Angeles Lakers is the most hated team in the NBA today.

The Purple and Gold is off to a strong start this season. After losing against their LA rival Clippers during the season opener, the team has not looked back to its losing ways again.

However, despite how magnificent the Lakers are turning out to be this season, not everybody is pleased with their current work. In fact, a study conducted by Sportsinsider.com stated that most American NBA fans “hate” the Lakers, Complex reported.

The study, which gathered over 100,000 tweets from Twitter users in the United States who included words like "hate" when mentioning a specific NBA team, determined that the Lakers are the most hated in 34 different states.

It was a bit surprising that despite the departure of Kevin Durant this past offseason, the Golden State Warriors slipped only one spot from last year to the second most hated team. The Los Angeles Clippers come in at third, followed by the Houston Rockets.

Even though there are no longer any super teams in the league today, the Lakers were able to sign two of the NBA's top five players. They have somehow created a powerhouse cast the help the rejuvenated Dwight Howard, clutch shooting Danny Green, and versatile forward Kyle Kuzma. hasn't been taken. But instead of being viewed as serious contenders for an NBA title, it apparently made the Lakers more despicable in the eyes of NBA fans in America.

Last June, another data revealed that LeBron James is the most hated player in LA. As a matter of fact, based on geotagged Twitter data following the 2018-19 NBA season, James appears to be the most hated player in California.

A big part of all this hate may have been fueled when James made the move from Cleveland Cavaliers to LA. Basketball fans around the world expected the Lakers to have found a new hero since the franchise just lost their household star Kobe Bryant. But James was not able to live up the hype and put the Lakers away from playoff and championship hopes, finishing the 2018-19 season with a record of 37-45.

More and more data could show that the Lakers are generating hate from NBA fans this season. But as for Lakers coach Frank Vogel, the team has been continuing its progress into becoming a championship contender under the leadership of James.

In one of Vogel’s most recent statements, he commended the 4-time MVP’s work ethic and resurgence this season.

“(LeBron is) working really hard. I couldn’t be more impressed with his commitment on that end and his intent to set a tone with our group,” Vogel said.