NBA's Most Stable Franchises
by ACEIII on Nov 28, 2009 7:53 PM MST
16 comments
Having living through periods where we wondered whether the Nuggets franchise would survive, let alone stay in Denver, it is great to see how Kroenke and team have turned our beloved Nuggets into one of the more stable franchises in the NBA. In these difficult economic times, don't minimize how important having a stable franchise is to keeping a competitive team on the floor. Watching other games on NBA League Pass, I have been seeing a lot of empty seats around the League.
If stability is measured by financial strength, fan support, talented players under contract, coaching, front office, quality of arena and competiveness, I would put Denver in the Top 5 franchises in the League, along with the Lakers, Boston, San Antonio, and Portland. What do you think?
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Uath deserves a nod . .
Not sure Denver has surpassed them yet given their 25 year run. And as much I’d hate to admit it, since Cuban has been in Dallas, that has been a pretty class organzation.
Detriot has also been amazingly solid over the past quarter century as well.
I’d put Denver in that second tier, of up and coming franchises.
Utah indeed
They are one of the best franchises in the NBA. Maybe even 3rd behind the Celts and Lakers. I would also say right now that Cleveland, Dallas, Phoenix and Chigago are pretty solid. And the Thunder are working their way up too.
by GoldenNugget on Nov 28, 2009 8:04 PM MST up reply actions
Utah
As much as I dislike the franchise and ownership, Utah MUST be considered the “healthiest” of all of the small market NBA franchises. They pack their house. They win pretty regularly and Miller tends to pay his stars to stick around…
Practice doesn't make perfect. Perfect practice makes perfect.
by Big Mickey D on Nov 28, 2009 10:17 PM MST up reply actions
Well its easy to fill up seats in Utah
all they have is minor league baseball and soccer. What else are they going to support and watch?
by docescobar07 on Nov 29, 2009 12:44 AM MST up reply actions
Lakers
are the most stable franchise in the L. and they always will be. despite how they are going on the court..same sort of thing with boston i guess.
Well, you gotta
Put the Knicks in there. Yeah, they’re ridiculous right now, but they’re also going to be around after the apocolypse. Like cockroaches…
As far as small market teams go, the nuggets (and this is completely unsubstantiated) seem to have more fans outside of Denver than say, UTAH, right? Or even San Antonio? Maybe? I say this because of my job which pits me in the Bay Area A LOT, and I see a lot of Melo and Billups jerseys around…
by SternfluffsKobe on Nov 29, 2009 12:51 AM MST via mobile reply actions
Before you respond
Think about someone buying a Boozer jersey before a Carmelo jersey…can’t imagine that happening too much outside of Utah…
by SternfluffsKobe on Nov 29, 2009 12:55 AM MST via mobile reply actions
I met a lot of Nugs fans out East too...
when I lived in Mass. Lots of Melo fans.
It probably has something to do with Melo being a superstar. National Champion at a popular east coast school….
and the Nuggets seem to be on national television as much as any team not named LA, especially during the week. The Nugs always seem to be the night cap game so a lot of people actually get to watch them play.
Saw a few Melo jerseys in Germany this summer
Even an Oak Hill jersey. Didn’t see any Nowitzki jerseys, though they all are proud of das Wunderkind. Saw exactly ZERO Kaman jerseys, thankfully.
by Artimus Mangilord on Nov 30, 2009 1:03 PM MST up reply actions
I Would Put Denver Over Utah
I would put Denver over Utah for a variety of reasons. First, their very visible owner just died. It will be interesting to see if Larry Miller’s drive and passion for winning will be replaced. Kroenke is one of the most financially stable owners in the League and he is relatively young and healthy. Second, the Nuggets clearly have more national exposure than Utah, with more national TV games and a well-known national superstar in Melo. Third, the Nuggets core of Melo, Nene, Billups, Smith and Martin are under contract for the next 2 years at least. I would look for Boozer to head to Chicago or NY next year. For those reasons, and because the Nuggs have a slight roster advantage, I give the edge to Denver.
My Top 6 and a bonus pick
1. Lakers (I hate them, but still, it’s true)
2. Celtics (they have many loyal fans)
3. Spurs (arguably the only team in the league that pays its players exactly according to production. They don’t have any infectious contracts, although if Tim Duncan rapidly declines, he could be one).
4. Jazz (Even if Larry Miller is still dead, they aren’t moving anywhere)
5. Nuggets (They aren’t any higher because of how we barely get fans if we are doing badly a la 2002-2003. I feel bad for ranking my favorite team so low)
6. Trailblazers (Paul Allen is a multibillionaire, and they ain’t moving nowhere)
Bonus Pick: Clippers (BECAUSE BILL SIMMONS ACTUALLY PAYS SEASON TICKETS TO WATCH THEM)
I guess the Mavs could fit into 6th too.
"Left hand, right hand, it doesn't matter. I'm amphibious." - Charles Shackleford
"If the NBA were on channel 5 and a bunch of frogs making love were on channel 4, I'd watch the frogs, even if they were coming in fuzzy." - Bobby Knight
"We have a great bunch of outside shooters. Unfortunately, all our games are played indoors." - Weldon Drew
One Other Point on Utah
Sloan and Karl are probably a wash in terms of coaching. No edge to either side there.
Maybe some of us should look at a least stable franchise thing?
Kings would definitely head that, followed by the Nets and the Baby Bears.
"Left hand, right hand, it doesn't matter. I'm amphibious." - Charles Shackleford
"If the NBA were on channel 5 and a bunch of frogs making love were on channel 4, I'd watch the frogs, even if they were coming in fuzzy." - Bobby Knight
"We have a great bunch of outside shooters. Unfortunately, all our games are played indoors." - Weldon Drew
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