The Suffer Index is back, this time taking a look at the misfortunes of NBA fanbases. Like with the NFL, I want to take the emotion out of it. I want to look at the cold, hard facts to really determine which fanbase has it the worst. Other than a few minor tweaks, it’s the same Suffer Index you’ve come to love. So let’s jump in. Here is the NBA Suffer Index:
The Process
One of the changes being made is an expansion of the years under consideration, from the last 15 to the last 20.
Here’s how the point breakdown worked:
Regular-season win = 1 point
Winning Season = 5 points
Playoff appearance = 6 points
Playoff series win = 8 points
Conference Finals appearance = 10 points
NBA Finals appearance = 15 points
NBA Finals win = 25 points
MVP = 12 points
I decided to make a Finals win 25 points instead of 15 as I did for the NFL because a Championship should really a lot more than everything else. I also gave 12 points to a team with an MVP player because an MVP is basketball means you’ve got a lot to look forward to, night in and night out.
Since the New Orleans Pelicans have only been in the league for 18 seasons, I just averaged their wins per season and added on two seasons of that number, which was around 37.
Remember, the lower your score, the more you’ve suffered.
Let’s get into it. Who’s had it the worst over the past 20 years?
30. San Antonio Spurs: 1,829 Suffer Index Score
The New England Patriots of the NBA. Coach Pop and the Spurs were a dynasty unlike any other we’ve ever seen. Of the past 20 years, 19 of them resulted in a playoff appearance. Don’t forget, they also won over 1,000 regular-season games over that span, nearly 100 more than the second-place team. 32 playoff series wins, nine Conference Finals Appearances, six Conference Finals wins, four NBA Championships, two MVPs. It can’t get much better than being a Spurs fan. Not only did you get to see five chips, but you got Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili for most of the past 20 years. The worst part is, you can’t hate them like you can the Patriots, there’s just something about them that leaves you in awe. What a time it was to be a Spurs fan.
29. Los Angeles Lakers: 1,565 Suffer Index Score
No surprise here. The Purple and Gold faithful have seen a lot of winning over the past 20 seasons. They actually only rank 7th in terms of regular-season wins, but through the will of Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal, they’re 2nd in playoff series wins. Thanks to those two, and recent Hall of Fame addition, LeBron James, they also have appeared in seven conference finals and won every single one of them. Of those seven finals appearances, they came away with the Larry O’Brien in five. They might not have won as many regular-season games as some of the other teams, but they’ve got enough rings for one hand, something no other team can say.
28. Miami Heat: 1,503 Suffer Index Score
Wade County has it going in the past two decades. Dwayne Wade, LeBron James, and now Jimmy Butler and co. brought the Heat to the promised land. 5th in regular-season wins and as many Finals appearances as the Spurs have the heat sitting pretty at 28. They’ve won the 3rd most playoff series and boast two MVPs. Talk about having it good, the Heat have 14 winning seasons of the last 20. I would say watching D-Wade and Shaq win a chip in 2006, the Heatles bring home two trophies, and the bubble squad beating the odds to even make it to the Finals and looking damn good along the way is the perfect equation for a successful couple of decades.
27. Boston Celtics: 1,352 Suffer Index Score
Boston finds itself low on yet another Suffer Index list, this time with the Celtics. The 4th best regular-season team is the lowest rank without an MVP player. That didn’t matter for them as they won 21 playoff series over 20 seasons. The one knock on the Celtics is that they can’t get out of the Conference Finals. They’ve won two of the seven Conference Finals they’ve appeared in and are 1-1 in the NBA Finals. The first big three is to thank for both Finals appearances and the one win. While they haven’t been able to win the big ones, the Celtics are just fine. At least if the C’s are bad you can watch the Pats, Bruins, or Red Sox.
26. Dallas Mavericks: 1,348 Suffer Index Score
The Cowboys may underachieve every year, but not these Mavericks. They’ve won the 2nd most regular-season games of the last 20 years, in large part to the best European player in NBA history, Dirk Nowitzki. Along with nearly 900 wins, he brought Dallas an MVP, two Finals Appearances, and one Larry O trophy. They’ve appeared in 15 playoffs, but only managed to win 13 playoff series in that time. That’s the one knock on this franchise, the inability to make a deep run in the playoffs. The good news for Mavs fans is Luca Doncic is going to be the face of the league one day, hopefully bringing you multiple championships. Until then, you can bask in the glory of what once was.
25. Golden State Warriors: 1,297 Suffer Index Score
The Warriors benefit greatly from the 2010s. A decade in which they went to five straight finals and won three of them. It’s because of the playoffs that the 12th ranked team in regular-season wins finds themselves at 25 on this list. They’ve only made the playoffs eight times but won 20 playoff series during those eight runs. One of those series wins came as the eighth seed. The “We Believe” Warriors upset the number 26 team on this list in the first round. GSW fans also got to witness the record-breaking 73 win season. During that time the Steph Curry also snagged two MVPs along with the first-ever unanimous win. Oh yeah, they also had Curry, Klay Thompson, and Kevin Durant on the same team. The turn of the century was rough for the Warriors and their fans, but since 2012 it’s been nothing but sunny skies.
24. Cleveland Cavaliers: 1,227 Suffer Index Score
The LeBron James’ find themselves at 24 on this list. When compiling data for the Cavs it was hilarious to see the yearly record of the team. They won 17 games the year before they drafted LeBron James with the 1st overall pick. The next year up to 35, then 42. When LeBron left in 2010 they went from winning 61 games to 19. When LeBron came back their wins jumped from 33 to 53. They find themselves in the bottom half of the league in terms of regular-season wins, having only 10 winning seasons, and 9 playoff appearances. In those 9 appearances, they won 21 playoff series, played in 6 Conference Championships, and 5 Finals. They only managed to win one, but it was against the 73 win Warriors. They also boast a back-to-back MVP winner. I’m sorry Cavs fans, but without LeBron, you’re basically the Browns.
23. Houston Rockets: 1,201 Suffer Index Score
The Houston Rockets, the Dallas Cowboys of the NBA, have won the 3rd most regular-season games since 2000, but only managed eight playoff series wins in 13 trips. They do boast one MVP but are the first team on the list without a Finals appearance. Getting to see Yao Ming, Tracy McGrady, Steve Francis, and James Harden is pretty cool, but there’s nothing much else to say about the franchise. By the looks of current news, there isn’t going to be much to cheer about in the future either. Yeah, you won a lot of regular-season games, but it didn’t really amount to anything. Maybe the Astros can help you get an upper-hand on the competition, otherwise, it’s a bleak future.
22. Seattle Supersonics/OKC Thunder: 1,195 Suffer Index Score
The first multiple location/mascot team. The Supersonics didn’t do much for their Index ranking, but combined with the Thunder they rank 6th in regular-season wins. The Supersonics only made the playoffs twice and were overall pretty mediocre. The one good thing they did was draft Kevin Durant. Durant would be the face of a franchise that would make the playoffs in six of its first eight seasons, making it to the Conference Finals four times and going to one Finals, which they lost. They’ve also had two different MVP winners, the only team to do so on this list. Thunder fans were very lucky to see Durant, Russell Westbrook, Serge Ibaka, and James Harden all on the same team. Like the Rockets, your future doesn’t look so bright, so remember the good times and keep playing what-ifs in your head.
21. Detroit Pistons: 1,151 Suffer Index Score
The Pistons ranking is carried by their immense success in the early 2000s. Despite only ranking 14th in regular-season wins, they hold the 7th ranking in playoff series victories. They rank there and haven’t even won a playoff game since 2008. They went to six straight Conference Finals from 2002-2008, but only reached two Finals, winning one of them. Since that last Conference Finals appearance in 2008, they’ve had one winning season, but because they play in the East, made the playoffs three times. Each time though, they were swept in the first round. If you catch a Piston’s fan reminiscing, you know why. I would say go root for one of the other three teams in Detroit, but they aren’t good either. You had a good run Pistons fans, but it’s been over for a long time, it’s time to move on.
20. Indiana Pacers: 1,110 Suffer Index Score
The Pacers find themselves at 9th in regular-season wins, which is the sole reason they claim the 20th spot on this list. They’ve amassed 15 playoff appearances despite only 12 winning seasons. It pays off to play in the East to at least get you to the playoffs, but once you get there it’s a whole other story. Pacers’ fans have witnessed only eight playoff series wins over those 15 trips to the postseason, but they can say they’ve seen Conference Finals basketball. Three times to be exact. The Pacers are a prime example of regular season play meaning nothing once it hits playoff time. As for you, Pacers fans, there hasn’t been much to cheer for outside of the regular season, save for a couple of years.
19. Toronto Raptors: 1,076 Suffer Index Score
The only Canadian team is the lowest team on the list to claim a Finals trophy. Other than that they rank 13th in regular-season wins, with 10 winning seasons. Playing in the East, though, they were able to squeak out 11 playoff appearances. They weren’t able to do much during those 11, only winning 10 series. Even still, they made it to two Conference Finals, winning one to make their only Finals in team history. The good thing for Raptors fans is that the franchise seems to be hitting their stride recently and looks to be competitive for the foreseeable future.
18. Utah Jazz: 1,073 Suffer Index Score
You’ll start to see a playoff trend with the next couple of teams and the Jazz are no exception. The Jazz are one of the better regular-season teams but haven’t been able to translate that to the playoffs. They rank 8th in regular-season wins, but only boast six playoff series wins, despite 12 trips. They did manage to reach one Conference Finals, but outside of that, it’s been pretty bleak for the Jazz. There isn’t much to say about the Jazz, but at least Jazz fans will see the playoffs for the next five or so years.
17. Denver Nuggets: 1,049 Suffer Index Score
Denver is essentially the same franchise as Utah. The Nuggets rank 10th in regular-season wins to the Jazz’s 8th. They have one less winning season than the Jazz, the same number of playoff appearances, one less playoff series win, and one more Conference Finals appearance. More recently, the Nuggets have been the more exciting team to watch. Nuggets fans also witnessed Carmelo Anthony shoot the roof of the building, but other than that they are the same teams. Coming off a Western Conference Finals appearance, I would say the Nuggets’ future is bright, even if the past hasn’t been the best.
16. Portland Trail Blazers: 1,026 Suffer Index Score
The Blazers’ success is spread out across the past 20 years. The majority of their losses come from the five-year playoff drought they experienced from 2003-2008. They rank 11th in regular-season wins and 11 winning seasons. However, they made the playoffs 13 times, but only managed to win four playoff series. During their run in the 2018-19 postseason, they reached their lone Conference Finals in the past two decades. I’m sorry Portland fans, but you follow the track of the Jazz and Nuggets, can’t get it done in the playoffs.
15. Milwaukee Bucks: 972 Suffer Index Score
Yet another team that is unable to manifest playoff success. The Bucks are the epitome of this, especially the last two years. They rank one spot ahead of the Cavs at 16th in regular-season wins but even with their lackluster regular season performances do boast two MVPs. Outside of the past two seasons, Milwaukee won at least 50 games one time. They’ve had a winning season a grand total of seven times, which is on the same level as teams in the top five of this list. The Bucks won five playoff series, reaching the Conference Finals one time in which they lost. If not for the past two seasons the Bucks would find themselves way higher on this list. Milwaukee fans, you have a top-five player in the league, coming off his second MVP, hopefully, that will amount to come playoff success.
14. Phoenix Suns: 968 Suffer Index Score
The Suns are like the Pistons, in that all of their success came at the turn of the century. The only difference is that their success wasn’t the same. The Suns rank 20th in regular-season wins and they haven’t sniffed the postseason since 2010. The two things they can brag about are their three Conference Finals appearances and two MVPs, with Steve Nash winning back-to-back. Other than that, they’ve produced nine winning seasons, seven playoff appearances, and seven playoff series wins. Phoenix fans haven’t had much to cheer for recently, as the team has been dreadful for most of the decade, but it can’t get much worse. Keep your head up Phoenix.
13. Los Angeles Clippers: 948 Suffer Index Score
Because of Lob City, the Clippers find themselves a respectable distance away from the bottom. Before Chris Paul’s arrival in 2011, the Clippers were horrendous, with one playoff appearance in their only winning season. After that, they made the playoffs in six consecutive seasons. They also made the playoffs in two of three years after blowing it all up in 2017, due to some pretty scrappy players. But like the teams in the 15-18 range, they haven’t found the postseason success. Even with their eight appearances in the last nine seasons, they’ve only won five series, never making it out of the 2nd round. The little brother of LA hasn’t had the success of the Lakers and unfortunately for them, it’s not getting any better. I’m sorry Clippers fans, but have fun living in the shadow of the Laker for a little while longer.
12. New Jersey/Brooklyn Nets: 939 Suffer Index Score
The second multiple location team finds themselves at number 12. The Nets were successful at the beginning of the century, making the playoffs six times in a row. Not to mention, they went to back to back finals but lost both. In total, they made it to 11 playoffs with only eight being winning seasons. Of those eight winning seasons, only three were in the 2010s. They did have some postseason success, winning 10 series in their 11 trips. The reason they’re so high is that when they’re bad, they’re bad. If they don’t make the playoffs they hover around 26 wins in a season, with their lowest being 12 (82 game season). Nets fans, you’ve had to endure a lot of pain and hardship over the years, and for that, you’ve been rewarded Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, hopefully, this works out better than KG and Paul Pierce.
11. Philadelphia 76ers: 934 Suffer Index Score
Philadelphia, the land of the crazed fans, sits at 11th on the list for many reasons. One being their 22nd ranking in regular-season wins. They’ve benefitted from playing in the East, as only three times they reached the 50 win mark, but have managed to make the playoffs 11, despite only eight winning seasons. Those 11 playoff trips have only resulted in eight postseason victories. Like the teams sandwiching them, they’ve participated in an NBA Finals and lost, although Allen Iverson’s performance on the national stage made up for it. Maybe one day the fans of Philadelphia will see a Finals trophy, but if the playoffs are any indicator, that may not be soon.
10. Orlando Magic: 927 Suffer Index Score
The Magic can be summed up in a simple way: below average pre Dwight Howard, great with Dwight Howard, and awful post Dwight Howard. Like the Cavs, most of the Magic’s success comes from a single player. With Dwight Howard leading the charge, the Magic made the playoffs in six of eight years. It’s also where their only playoff series wins come from, winning six of them. During that era, they made the Conference Finals twice and the Finals once. Overall they rank 23rd in regular-season wins and have made the playoffs 11 times, even with their nine winning seasons. Maybe if management treated him a little better, you wouldn’t be so high on this list. You can’t be mad at Howard, though. After all, he is the main reason for any success you had. Without him, you’d be close to number one.
9. Chicago Bulls: 918 Suffer Index Score
The once-dominant franchise has experienced quite the tumultuous 20 years. When Michael Jordan retired and Scotty Pippen was traded the Bulls headed into a downward spiral that carried over into the next century. However, unlike most of the teams toward the top of this list, the Bulls actually have had some regular-season triumphs. They rank 18th in regular-season wins and possess an MVP winner, the youngest ever to be precise. The arrival of Derrick Rose brought multitudes of wins, unfortunately, his injuries derailed any future the Bulls might’ve had. Over the course of the last 20 years, the Bulls reached 11 playoffs, snagged a winning season eight times, but won only 5 playoff series, only ever making it to the Conference Finals once. It’s not all that bad Chicago, you still have one of the best decades in basketball history, but that was nearly 30 years ago.
8. Vancouver/Memphis Grizzlies: 900 Suffer Index Score
The only other Canadian franchise in NBA history. A history that lasted only six years. One of those six years fell in our allotted time frame, and it was abysmal. In the 19 years in Memphis, the team has won 725 regular-season games, good enough for 19th in the NBA. They were also able to reach the playoffs 10 times, with 10 winning seasons. They didn’t have much postseason success, making only one Conference Finals and winning only four playoff series. In their short history, they had some exciting players to watch like Marc Gasol, Mike Conley, and Zach Randolph, who are the major reason for their playoffs trips. Fans of the Grizz, don’t be too down on past woes, you’ve got one of the brightest futures in the NBA.
7. Atlanta Hawks: 869 Suffer Index Score
The Hawks 2000s has gone something like this: reaching 35 wins only once until 2007, going to the playoffs every year from 2007-2017, and finishing off the 2010s with three straight seasons of less than 30 wins. In total, they won 717 regular-season games, putting them at 25th in the NBA. Along with their 10 postseason appearances, they also were above .500 in eight seasons. During their playoff run, they won six playoff series, reaching the Conference Finals only once, where they were swept by the Cavs. Much like the Grizzlies, the Hawks haven’t had playoff success, even with some solid teams. They also have a very bright future with the likes of Trae Young and John Collins. Don’t blow this team like other Atlanta teams blow leads and Atlanta fans might have something real to cheer about.
6. Sacramento Kings: 846 Suffer Index Score
To be honest, I’m surprised the Kings aren’t higher on this list. Even with their strong showing in the early 2000s, they’ve been so bad recently that I just assumed they would be in the top three. The start of the century looked great for Sacramento but after five straight seasons of playoffs, the 2006 season marked the start of an endless free fall. Since that season the Kings have never won 40 games and only reached 30 wins six times. When they were in the playoffs they won five series, playing in one Conference Finals. I hope for the sake of Kings fans that this doesn’t keep up, but with the way management is, I don’t see any light at the end of the tunnel.
5. New Orleans Hornets/Pelicans: 835 Suffer Index Score
The youngest organization in the NBA, only having played 18 seasons, finds themselves at number five on the list. Even with all the talent they had, Chris Paul, Anthony Davis, and now Zion Williamson, they’ve only been able to reach the playoffs seven times. In those seven trips, they’ve won two series. Despite only playing 18 seasons and having only six winning seasons, they’ve actually won more games in the past 20 years than three teams on this list. While, yes, they’ve had some hall of fame talent in their young history, this is where I expected them to be. They’ve been up and mostly down, never hitting a stride anywhere. The AD trade, though, has set them up for future success, so if they can’t do it now I don’t know if they’ll ever be able to.
4. Washington Wizards: 801 Suffer Index Score
It’s crazy to think that the Wizards, in the past 20 years, had Hall of Famer Michael Jordan on their team at one point. It didn’t amount to much, but it’s the only other team Jordan played for. Overall, the Wiz finished 27th in regular-season wins, only making the playoffs eight times. They finished above .500 only seven times in 20 years, but that’s not the worst on the list. In their eight playoffs, they won four series, leaving their fanbase a lot to desire. It hasn’t been easy in Washington, with all the injuries to star players and lack of chemistry. Lucky for Wizards fans, they now get to be the third team Russell Westbrook tries to win with. If he and Beal get along, the future is bright in Washington.
3. Minnesota Timberwolves: 771 Suffer Index Score
Outside of having MVP winner, Kevin Garnett, the Timberwolves have had little to be happy about. They rank 28th in regular-season wins with only six winning seasons. Five of those seasons resulted in playoff appearances and of those five appearances they won two playoff series en route to a Conference Finals appearance. Especially in the past couple of years, the T-Wolves have been in the position to succeed, but for whatever reason haven’t been able to get over the hump. If I’m a Minnesota fan, I’m not getting my hopes up about the future.
2. New York Knicks: 695 Suffer Index Score
The New York Knicks are the textbook definition of dysfunctional. They’ve managed to have four seasons over .500 in 20 attempts. To put that into perspective, the Lakers won five Finals. The Knicks have been just as bad as the Lakers have been good. Somehow, they’ve managed to make five playoffs, but could only muster enough to win one series. I genuinely don’t know how an organization that is this abysmal could only be number two. I don’t know how you do it Knicks fans, but I admire your loyalty. Hopefully, in the next 20 years, you can win two more playoff series.
1. Charlotte Bobcats/Hornets: 669 Suffer Index Score
Here it is, the number one team on the list. The team that boasts the single worst season in NBA history with a winning percentage of .106. That’s what ultimately gets Charlotte. They’ve actually had more winning seasons and playoff wins than the Knicks, but they’ve been to the playoffs the same number of times. The difference is when Charlotte is “good” it usually means 43-48 wins and when they’re bad it usually means 7-35 wins. It’s hard to be a good franchise when your best years are down years for other teams, but it’s become the norm in Charlotte. It’s not a terrible time to be a Hornets fan, though. There’s enough talent on the team to snag a low playoff spot, so maybe you can get there for the first time since 2016.
