Pick The Best NBA Teams And We’ll Reveal Which State To Vacation To Next
- by Andrew Brethauer
- – on
- in Sports
There are plenty of unique locations to visit in the United States if a vacation is what is needed. With 50 states, they are all fairly accessible and easy to travel to, except for perhaps Alaska and Hawaii. But with 48 other options readily available, there is definitely an option for a relaxing vacation. And the NBA can help make the decision of what state to visit next for your vacation. Basketball is one of the major sports in the United States with teams all across the country, and picking a favorite can help narrow down where a vacation should be planned to next.
Dreaming of a sunny vacation on the beaches in California or Florida, or a more metropolitan trip to New York or Illinois, or perhaps head somewhere a little different away from the hustle of the big cities, there is something for everyone and so too is there something for everyone in the NBA. Super teams, high powered offenses, dynasty franchises and teams who are just starting to reach their peak offer vacationers a chance to watch world-class basketball in many of the 48 mainland states. So select the best NBA teams, including a few former teams, and we'll reveal what state to pack bags for and head for a vacation.
Boston Celtics
Want to head to old Boston for some history, or perhaps take in a Celtics game? The Boston Celtics are one of the all-time best NBA franchises in the Northeast of the United States, having won 17 NBA Championships in their franchise history with the likes of Larry Bird, and the Big Three, Ray Allen, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett.
Chicago Bulls
The Windy City is home to one of the finest NBA franchises, who once had the best player to ever play the game in Michael Jordan. He led the Chicago Bulls to six NBA Championships, winning three-in-a-row two different times, which today are still the only six titles the team has won.
Atlanta Hawks
The Atlanta Hawks may play in ‘Hot-lanta’, but with the second longest championship drought in the league, there is plenty of room to raise the temperature. Atlanta last own the NBA championship in 1958, when they were in St. Louis, so Atlanta is still waiting for their first.
Denver Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets success would bring you back to the ABA days, before the merger with the NBA, as the Nuggets were one of the best teams, making the playoffs nearly every year. They have had their chances with stars such as Carmello Anthony, but as of today, they are still looking to give the Mile High City a NBA title.
Golden State Warriors
Perhaps the best team in the NBA right now, the Golden State Warriors have won three of the last four NBA Championships, to add to the three they had before. With the likes of Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant and Draymond Green, it’s not hard to imagine that number is going to continue to grow.
Dallas Mavericks
Everything is bigger in Texas and that includes Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban’s personality, who sometimes overshadows his team. But after winning the NBA Championship in 2011 with Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas has every reason to celebrate and think highly of themselves.
Minnesota Lakers
If you wonder where the Lakers name came from for Los Angeles, it actually comes from Minnesota, where the team originated first. Minnesota’s state nickname is ‘Land of 10,000 lakes’, so it’s easy to see why the team was named the Lakers. They relocated to Los Angeles, however, in 1960, but they won five champions in Minnesota.
Brooklyn Nets
The Brooklyn Nets started off in New Jersey before relocating with the help of Jay-Z to Brooklyn in 2012. The Barclays Center is their home, and the people of Brooklyn in the Big Apple, New York City have taken to their team.
Cleveland Cavaliers
The home to the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame is also home to the 2016 NBA Champion Cleveland Cavaliers, a team LeBron James was originally drafted by, left, and then returned to lead them to four straight NBA finals appearances where his 2016 victory snapped the cities over 50 year drought for a championship.
Charlotte Hornets
Previously, the Charlotte Hornets were the Bobcats before New Orleans rebranded and gave back the Hornets name. Now owned by Michael Jordan, the North Carolina team is looking for their first championship since being established in 1988, making them one of the youngest franchises in the league.
Minnesota Timberwolves
The Minnesota Timberwolves are the second most northern team in the NBA, and were an expansion team in 1988. They drafted superstar Kevin Garnett in 1995 and have been in a continuous rebuilding mode for most of the franchises life.
Los Angeles Clippers
Teams in San Diego for some reasons end up in Los Angeles. Such is the way with the Los Angeles Clippers, who became the second team in the City of Angels when they moved there in 1984. The Clippers don’t have the championship pedigree like the Lakers who they share their arena with, even when they had a core of Chris Paul, Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan.
Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets were back to back NBA Champions back in 1994 and 1995, which was led by Hakeem Olajuwon. They have had exceptional players such Charles Barkley, Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady in their lineup, but haven’t been able to reproduce their championship ways again.
Vancouver Grizzles
Canada had two teams at one point, as the expansion Vancouver Grizzles joined the league in 1995. They lasted only six seasons before moving to Memphis due to low fan attendance, but for a time, Canada had two teams to cheer for a rivalry was built with the team in Seattle.
New York Knicks
One of the NBA’s most famous teams is the New York Knicks, who play out of the most famous arena in the world, Madison Square Garden. They won two NBA championships in the 1970s, but have missed out on six other chances to win it all. With another New York based team in town, they have some work to do.
Detroit Pistons
Since 1957, the Detroit Pistons have called the Motor City home, taking up ship in the Palace before moving to their new arena in downtown Detroit. In Their history, the Pistons have won three NBA titles, and have notable players such as Grant Hill.
Miami Heat
Things are definitely hot in Miami, especially on the court with the Miami Heat. Led primarily by Dwayne Wade, who helped the franchise win its first NBC title in 2006, Miami was the landing spot for the first super team when LeBron James and Chris Bosh went there and went to the finals four years straight, winning two more titles.
Oklahoma City Thunder
Oklahoma City is home to one of the most elite teams in the NBA in the Thunder. Led by Russell Westbrook, and the now departed Kevin Durant, O-K-C is always in the mix with the best teams in the Western Conference, last making the NBA Finals in 2012.
Los Angeles Lakers
Perhaps the most notable franchise in the NBA is the Los Angeles Lakers. Hollywood elite are often seen with courtside seats and have watched the Lakers win 16 NBA Championships, led by the likes of Wilt Chamberlin, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson and Kobe Bryant.
Memphis Grizzles
The former Vancouver Grizzles moved to Memphis in 2000, after low attendance forced them to move. The started the Pau Gasol era in the country capital of the United States, but so far they haven’t won an NBA title, and are still rebuilding the franchise.
Seattle SuperSonics
Ask what franchise people want to see returned and the answer is normally the Seattle SuperSonics. They won the 1979 NBA Championship, but relocated to Oklahoma City in 2006. Kevin Durant started his career in Seattle, and some of the NBAs best, including Shawn Kemp and Gary Payton played there as well.
Philadelphia 76ers
The city of brotherly love is the home to the Philadelphia 76ers, one of the oldest franchises in the NBA. They are just as part of the history of the city as the crack in the Liberty Bell. They have three NBA championships to their name, having won the last in 1983.
Indiana Pacers
This central United States State is the home to the Indiana Pacers, a franchise that has a storied rivalry with the New York Knicks, helped along by their former star Reggie Miller. The Pacers haven’t won an NBA Championship in their history, but did win three ABA championships before merging with the league.
Orlando Magic
Orlando isn’t just the most magically place in the world because of Disneyland, but because of their hometown team the Orlando Magic. The Magic haven’t won a NBA title yet, but was the starting spot for Shaquille O’Neal and had stars such as Penny Hardaway, Tracy McGrady and Dwight Howard.
Portland Trail Blazers
The most northern team in the NBA is actually the Portland Trail Blazers, who won their lone NBA Championship back in 1977. They have qualified for the playoffs 34 of their 48 seasons in operation, making the NBA Finals two other times in 1990 and 1992, losing to Detroit and Chicago.
Phoenix Suns
If you like to see a winner, head to the hot desert of Phoenix, Arizona and watch the Suns play, as they held the fourth highest winning percentage of any franchise, winning 55 percent of their games. They have played in two NBA Finals, but still are looking for their first NBA title.
New Orleans Pelicans
The newest NBA franchise is the New Orleans Pelicans who moved from Charlotte. They became the Pelicans in 2013 and have since appeared in the playoffs seven times, including one division title in 2008. But they still continue to look for their first NBA title with the likes of Anthony Davis in their lineup.
Syracuse Nationals
Before there were the Philadelphia 76ers, there was the Syracuse Nationals. In fact, if you want to thank someone for the 24 second shot clock, which would speed up the game, Nationals owner Danny Biasone came up with it when the NBA was hurting financially. The Nationals also won an NBA title in 1955 before relocation.
Toronto Raptors
We The North describes not just a single city, but an entire country, as the Toronto Raptors are Canada’s only team. Established in 1995, the Raptors struggled early on, but as of late are one of the elite teams in the league, led by the likes to DeMar DeRozen and Kyle Lowry.
Milwaukee Bucks
They fear the deer in Wisconsin, or at least whatever teams is in town to take on the Milwaukee Bucks are supposed to do. The Bucks have a single NBA championship to their name, winning back in 1971, but have struggled lately, not winning their division since 2001.
Washington Wizards
The Washington Wizards have had their fair share of name changes and stops in Chicago and Baltimore before hitting the nation’s capital. They won their only NBA Championship, however, just after they moved to Washington, when they were called the Bullets, before changing to Wizards in 1997.
Utah Jazz
Don’t expect a great jazz music scene in the state of Utah, unless you’re talking the basketball playing Utah Jazz, who got their name from their time in New Orleans. The Jazz had the power combo of John Stockton and Karl Malone during the 80s into the 2000s, but couldn’t win an NBA title during that time.
Sacramento Kings
California is full of NBA teams, and the Sacramento Kings may get the least recognition, despite having one NBA Title to their name, when they won in 1955. But they were in Rochester then and moved to the Golden State in 1985, where they have won two division titles.
San Antonio Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs five NBA champions put them in fourth place for the most in NBA history behind Boston, Los Angeles, Chicago and Golden State who are tied. Led by Tim Duncan in the late 90s, and head coach Gregg Popovich, the Spurs have won all their titles between 1999 and 2014.
St. Louis Hawks
The Atlanta Hawks may not have won an NBA championship, but before they moved to Atlanta they were the St. Louis Hawks and that team won the title back in 1958. Arena problems were the issue for the team leaving just a few years removed from winning the NBA title.
