There are 30 NBA teams in the league with the potential for more, but there are some teams that simply have better names. Every team name and every mascot has a backstory, but some are cooler than others.
NBA teams may not have the crazy and flashy nicknames that minor league baseball teams do or some college teams do, but they are much more known. You have to consider a plethora of things when it comes to choosing a name. Let’s take a look at the five best NBA team names. Orlando Magic, Boston Celtics, Philadelphia 76ers,
#5 Denver Nuggets
Even though the Denver Nuggets missed a great opportunity to name their G-League team the Chicken Nuggets, they still have one of the best names in the entire league. Led by Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, Denver has a great name and an even better team.
Formerly known as the Denver Rockets, seven years after entering the league they became the Nuggets. Named after the mining boom that took place where Americans fished for gold and silver. Nothing has changed in Denver; the team is still trying to gold and win an NBA championship. The Nuggets have the fifth-best name in the league.
#4 Detroit Pistons
This name is nothing flashy, but it has great connections with the city which adds points for creativity. With one of the brightest futures in the league, everybody will know the Detroit Pistons.
Originally founded in Fort Wayne, Indiana, the team moved to the Motor City in 1957. The name became even more fitting to the new city, as everybody thinks of cars when they think about Detroit. The Pistons are a classic team name that should never be changed.
#3 Philadelphia 76ers
Any history buffs will agree that the Philadelphia 76ers have one of the greatest names in all of sports. Trust the process, and trust this beautiful team name.
The Declaration of Independance was signed in the year of 1776 in the town of Philadelphia. One of the most important events in our countries history gets honored in the best way possible, by getting an NBA team named after it. Since 1963 they have rocked this name, and James Harden and Joel Embiid should agree with me that they have a top three team name.
#2 Orlando Magic
Paying homage to their incredible tourist attraction, the Orlando Magic have a great team name. Everybody thinks of Disney World when they think of Orlando, but now they think of the Magic and Paolo Banchero.
Orlando’s basketball team was founded in 1989 as an expansion franchise, and has had a lot of fun ever since. With players like Shaquille O’Neal, Penny Hardaway, Tracy McGrady and the greatest player to ever step on the Magic court, Hedo Turkoglu. Magic and Orlando go hand-in-hand, and everybody needs a little bit of magic in their life.
#1 Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics have dominated the game of basketball for the majority of their existence and they are deserving of the top spot on this list. The Celtics seem to have the “luck of the Irish” as of late, and with such a great name, they deserve it.
Team owner Walter Brown chose the team name over the likes of the Unicorns, Whirlwinds and the Olympics in 1946. Had he chosen the Unicorns, they would–easily–still be at the top of this list. Brown stated “Boston is full of Irishman,” and just like that, the Celtics came about. Boston has 17 rings to go along with the most important prize, being the top ranked NBA team based upon their name.
