Top 10 Likable NBA Players With The Most Fans

Laelia Yang April 13, 2023 | 21:14

When it comes to the game's biggest stars, the NBA has always been a popularity contest, and this is especially true in today's league.

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Top 10 Likable NBA Players With The Most Fans

Top 10 Most Likable Players In NBA Today

The most popular NBA players appear to share some characteristics, and many of the players on this list are either foreign players or have overcome adversity to become NBA stars. Without further ado, here are the top ten most popular NBA players currently.

The NBA has changed dramatically over the last three decades. We've seen the league go from having a couple of players who dominated its entire landscape to now, when almost every franchise has a dominant player. KnowInsiders introduced to players of various sizes with exceptional skills in their repertoires. But who are the most well-known and popular in the world today?

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1. Luka Doncic 2. Giannis Antetokounmpo 3. Steph Curry 4. Kevin Durant 5. James Harden 6. Nikola Jokic 7. Klay Thompson 8. Damian Lillard 9. Russell Westbrook 10. Zion Williamson Conclusion

1. Luka Doncic

Luka Doncic

Luka is the NBA's most likable superstar because he has everything going for him. For one thing, he is a foreigner in a land ruled by North Americans. Despite this, Luka is already an MVP candidate, and his play has earned him respect from across the league.

Luka has that natural smile on his face as well, and he clearly enjoys playing the game. On the court, things come too easily for Luka, which makes his game a joy to watch. Doncic is also a goofball off the court, and his laid-back demeanor combined with his dominant performances every night has made him the league's most popular player.

2. Giannis Antetokounmpo

Giannis Antetokounmpo

At this point, the most popular player in the NBA has to be Milwaukee Bucks MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo. Giannis' overall story as a basketball player later in childhood after growing up poor in Greece and moving to the United States to begin such an inspiring story.

Antetokounmpo's on-court performance solidifies his status as an exciting player and a superstar. Many fans were relieved when Giannis stated that he wanted to win a championship with the Bucks rather than switch teams, as he did with LeBron James and Kevin Durant. What the NBA is all about is Antetokounmpo breaking down in tears after winning a championship.

3. Steph Curry

Steph Curry

After leading the Golden State Warriors to another NBA title in 2022, star shooting guard Steph Curry was unquestionably the best in the league. Curry not only won his first Finals MVP award, but he also accomplished a number of other goals en route to the Warriors' fourth title in eight years. Curry's presence off the court draws as much attention as it does on it, and now that the numbers are in, we can see just how strong that presence is.

Curry's social credit increased even more during the 2021-22 NBA season, despite the fact that he was already one of the most recognized athletes in the world outside of the NBA. According to a recent report, the Warriors star will be the most viewed player across the league's social media platforms in 2022, with more than 100 million more views than his nearest competitor on the list.

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4. Kevin Durant

Kevin Durant

Kevin Durant has many detractors in the league as a result of his lack of loyalty to both Oklahoma City and Golden State. Durant remains one of the greatest players of all time and an absolute joy to watch on the court. Few players have Durant's raw talent and skill, and we are all incredibly fortunate to be able to watch an all-time great scorer go to work every night. Durant appears to be back to his best after suffering a severe Achilles injury two years ago, and he is expected to lead the Brooklyn Nets to one of the top three seeds in a deep Eastern Conference this season.

5. James Harden

James Harden

Harden is widely regarded as one of the league's smartest on-court players, if not the league's smartest. His diverse offensive abilities, particularly the Euro step and one-step back jumper, make him one of the most entertaining players to watch.

His legacy, on the other hand, is well-established. Harden is the NBA's all-time leading left-handed scorer, the 2018 MVP, the 2012 Sixth Man of the Year, and a ten-time All-Star.

6. Nikola Jokic

Nikola Jokic

It's difficult not to like Nikola Jokic. He doesn't look like much, but he has an MVP-level impact on the game, which fans adore. Off the court, Jokic is down-to-earth and displays his competitive streak in a completely different way. That is what distinguishes him.

This season, Denver's superstar is averaging 26.3 PPG and 10.9 RPG, and his popularity may be giving him an advantage in the MVP race. Jokic is a center who can do it all on the court, which is always a plus, but it's his laid-back demeanor that everyone admires.

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7. Klay Thompson

Klay Thompson

Klay Thompson possesses the ideal blend of a fun personality off the court and exceptional basketball skills on the court. The Golden State Warriors' championship run made it easy for fans to fall back in love with Thompson, who rarely has a bad game.

NBA fans were overjoyed to see Klay Thompson return this season after being sidelined for a long time due to an injury. Thompson's lighthearted personality is what endears him to basketball fans in a sport where people can take themselves too seriously.

8. Damian Lillard

Damian Lillard

The Portland Trail Blazers star is poised for a 50-point performance. Outside of Stephen Curry, no player in the NBA can drain deep threes like Lillard, and he is an excellent overall point guard. Lillard has a Hall of Fame impact at the point guard position, and he has a very solid supporting cast this season.

Lillard's devotion to Portland and desire to win a championship are two major reasons why he has a large following across the league, not to mention that he is a box office offensive superstar.

9. Russell Westbrook

Russell Westbrook

Russell Westbrook, aka Mr. Triple-Double, is a divisive figure in the NBA. The mere mention of his name sparks heated debates and mixed emotions among fans, as those who adore him do so passionately, while those who despise him cannot stand the sight of him.

Russell Westbrook handles the ball during the first half of the Los Angeles Lakers' NBA game against the Phoenix Suns.

He is, however, one of the greatest players in league history. He was named one of the NBA's 75 greatest players of all time in 2017 and has nine NBA All-Star and eleven All-Team selections to his name.

10. Zion Williamson

Zion Williamson

Zion Williamson is the epitome of a babyface. He is extremely dominant while maintaining a humble demeanor on and off the court. Zion has met fan expectations so early in his career, averaging 26.8 PPG and 7.1 RPG this season, making him a fan favorite.

Williamson's popularity will only grow as he becomes the NBA's next face and improves his all-around game. The fact that Zion plays for a small market may benefit him now because fans cheer for underdogs, but as he gains more global exposure, he will crave a larger market.

Conclusion

The NBA players in question gained appreciation and respect from the basketball world for a variety of reasons. Every talent who enters the league and finds success usually has ups and downs. Certain personalities and on-court skill sets simply generate a more positive response. For good reason, the NBA players listed above are the most popular in the league today.