Love them or hate them (and let’s be real, it’s mostly hate), the Los Angeles Lakers are the team that gets under everyone’s skin.
Whether it’s their larger-than-life fanbase, their endless superstar acquisitions, or their seemingly magical ability to dodge consequences, the Lakers will always be the most hated team in the NBA. Here’s why:
1. They Get Every Superstar, Always
The Lakers’ entire team-building strategy is basically: “Who’s the biggest star available? Cool, we’ll take him.” From Kareem to Shaq, Kobe to LeBron, and now Luka Doncic (yeah, we’ll get to that nightmare in a second), the Lakers somehow always land generational talent while other teams are stuck praying their draft pick turns into not a bust.
2. They Stole Luka Doncic—Because of Course They Did
The biggest crime in recent NBA history? The Lakers somehow pulling off a trade for Luka Doncic. One minute, he’s leading the Mavericks with historic scoring nights, the next, he’s suiting up in purple and gold, forcing fans across the league to collectively scream, “How do they keep getting away with this?!”
3. The “Lakers Exceptionalism” Delusion
Lakers fans truly believe their team is the center of the basketball universe. Every free agent “wants” to play in LA. Every MVP candidate is “destined” to join them. Every down year is just an “off-season” before they win the next championship. This mindset is unbearable for the rest of the league.
4. Referees Mysteriously Love Them
Ever notice how Lakers games tend to have some very questionable officiating? Whether it’s phantom fouls, favorable whistles in crunch time, or the infamous Tim Donaghy era, there’s a long history of refs conveniently giving the Lakers a boost when they need it most.
5. Their Rings Keep Fans Stuck in the Past
Lakers fans have an automatic argument in every debate: “17 rings.” It doesn’t matter if the current roster is struggling—if you say anything bad about the Lakers, their fans will immediately yell “17 RINGS!” as if that changes the fact that their team is getting cooked on defense.
6. They End Every Fun Small-Market Dream
Oh, did your favorite small-market team draft a generational talent? That’s adorable. Give it a few years, and he’ll either be on the Lakers or have to repeatedly deny rumors that he’s “secretly planning” to join LA. Just ask Pelicans fans about Anthony Davis.
7. The Hollywood Factor
Lakers games aren’t just basketball games—they’re Hollywood red carpets. While your team’s courtside seats are filled with die-hard fans, Lakers games have Jack Nicholson, Leonardo DiCaprio, and every influencer who just learned what a “pick-and-roll” is. It’s all glitz, no grit.
8. LeBron and His “GM” Abilities
LeBron James running the Lakers’ roster decisions? That’s basically NBA reality at this point. And somehow, the front office keeps listening to him—even when he orchestrates trades for his aging friends, forcing them to clean up the mess when things go south (see: Westbrook, Russell).
9. The “Laker Fan” Bandwagon Epidemic
There are real Lakers fans. And then there are Lakers fans—people who have never set foot in California but suddenly become lifelong supporters whenever the team is winning. These bandwagoners are everywhere, and they make actual die-hard fans look bad.
Related: Ranking the 15 Most Disputed NBA MVP Winners of All Time
10. They’re Never Really Down Bad
Even when the Lakers are “bad,” they’re never truly suffering like other teams. If your team misses the playoffs, it’s a decade-long rebuild. If the Lakers miss the playoffs, they magically land another superstar, and suddenly, they’re contenders again. Life just isn’t fair.
Related: Ranking All 30 NBA Fanbases From Least to Most Depressed
