NBA fans were brutal as most popular player in each state was revealed by an outlet: “Curry number 1 in every state”, “LeStatPad shows up the most”
A graphic was recently shared that depicted the NBA players with the most viewed pages on Basketball Reference in each U.S. state in 2022. For those that don’t know, Basketball Reference is a basketball stats and history database-style website.
As expected, the top-searched players in most states were current and former NBA superstars such as Steph Curry, LeBron James and Michael Jordan. Even among the top stars, James' face still dominated the graphic, which led to some entertaining reactions from fans.
So on that note, here are some of the best fan reactions to the graphic.
NBA fans react to LeBron James being the top-searched player on Basketball Reference in most states
Most fans just straight-up disagreed with the idea that LeBron James was the most searched NBA player on Basketball Reference in most states.
“That is 100% inaccurate. LBJ has been in the two lowest rated finals of all time yet somehow is the most popular player. Lord,” one fan said.
@TheNBACentral That is 100% inaccurate. LBJ has been in the two lowest rated finals of all time yet somehow is the most popular player. Lord
“Curry is number 1 in every state,” another fan said.
@TheNBACentral Curry is number 1 in every state
“Bron more popular in Illinois than MJ?” another added.
@TheNBACentral Bron more popular in Illinois than MJ?
Others used the graphic as an opportunity to take shots at James.
“Of course LeStatPad shows up the most,” one fan said.
@TheNBACentral Of course LeStatPad shows up the most
Some LeBron James fans defended him as the league’s most popular player.
“CuRRy is ThE FaCE oF ThE LeAuge,” one fan said sarcastically.
@TheNBACentral CuRRy is ThE FaCE oF ThE LeAuge
“‘Why are the lakers always on national tv?’” another said sarcastically.
@TheNBACentral “why are the lakers always on national tv?”
Others were just confused as to why retired stars like Michael Jordan were still being searched so often.
“I’m convinced that the states that chose Michael Jordan just haven’t watched a live game of basketball since the 90’s. Every time there’s a game 'live' in those states are just re-runs of old games from Jordan’s heyday for the past 20+ years,” one fan said.
@TheNBACentral I’m convinced that the states that chose Michael Jordan just haven’t watched a live game of basketball since the 90’s. Every time there’s a game “live” in those states are just re runs of old games from Jordan’s heyday for the past 20+ years
“Mj retired still third and how is Russ 4th?” another said.
@TheNBACentral Mj retired still third and how is Russ 4th ? https://t.co/FhCg4i91Bq
Fans also had some fun with the seemingly random players who were the top-searched players in some states.
“Who is an avid Rolando Blackman fan,” one fan said.
@TheNBACentral who is an avid Rolando Blackman fan
“Andrew Wiggins and Alaska is so random,” another fan said.
@TheNBACentral Andrew Wiggins and Alaska is so random
“(De'Aaron) Fox is so random lol,” another added.
@TheNBACentral Fox is so random lol
Finally, one fan pointed out that the graphic was just about the most popular players on Basketball Reference, not the most popular overall.
“This isnt even a most popular map,” the fan said.
@SP0RTSBETTOR @TheNBACentral This isnt even a most popular map https://t.co/8cfU5iTIoI
In the end, it probably doesn’t matter who the top-searched NBA players are on a basketball stats website. Nonetheless, it still made for some amusing reactions.
Also read: Fans roast Paul Pierce as he mocked LeBron James losing to Boston Celtics: “I want what he smoking”, “LeBron forever own him"