The NBA continuously gains popularity as more Aussies make their way across the states in hopes of getting drafted. The most recent draftee is Benigo native Dyson Daniels, and preceding him was Josh Giddey. Both stars love the AFL, and most footy fans even have an NBA team they support.

The NBA's history shares a different story as the league learns the ins and outs of the sports business, and only five teams have won more than three championships in its history. It is exceptionally skewed in comparison to the VFL/AFL premiership storyline.

But if you're unsure of which team to support, or are just beginning to take an interest in the NBA, here is part one ultimate guide to knowing which NBA team you should support based on your AFL following.

4. Collingwood Magpies

Boston Celtics

The Magpies are not drawing likenesses to the Boston Celtics for just their success but their fan base.

Collingwood arguably has the most hated fan base in the league. It is on par with the hatred in the NBA world for the Celtics. However, as much as we could substitute the fans for each other, it cannot go without saying their success over the years is an accurate comparison.

Collingwood has the third most premierships in history with 15 and has closed in on Carlton and Essendon in the past dozen years. Boston has the most championships in NBA history.

Ask any AFL fan; if they don't go for Collingwood, they hate them (though the exciting season they just provided us made it more challenging than usual). It is a general rule; don't forget your ABCs; 'anything but Collingwood'. The same logic applies in the states, and it's 'anything but Celtics'.

Both clubs will claim their history of success is fueling the hatred, but it is beyond that. The fans are disliked for their arrogance and intolerable tweets if they win a few games.

The players are not helping their cause as they begin to get a ''bad boy'' reputation. The obvious Jack Ginnivan comes to mind with his 'shushing' of the crowd in the ANZAC Day clash.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 25: Jack Ginnivan of the Magpies celebrates a goal during the 2022 AFL Round 06 match between the Essendon Bombers and the Collingwood Magpies at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on April 25, 2022 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

The controversy continues with the 'ducking' or clear high tackles for a free kick. He is a polarising player, which will make you, as a non-Magpie supporter, love or hate him even more.

A comparison to Boston guard Marcus Smart wouldn't be too far off the mark. Another is Kevin Garnett, who retired in 2016 and had a 'whatever it takes' mentality.

2 COMMENTS

  1. Amusing how Victorians assume that their little “rivalries” mean anything outside of Victoria…..

    “…….Ask any AFL fan; if they don’t go for Collingwood, they hate them”…

    No. Stuff and nonesense.

    In WA:
    the answer would be either the Dockers or the Eagles, and the hatred is real – not the superficial (and very dated) attitudes that date back to when the ‘wobbles were a successful club (.. before the moniker “colliwobbles” was “earned”)……

    In SA:
    Crows members know that port is simply filth…. port “tarps” are deluded as to the Crows…..

    … and this is a hatred steeped in the existential crises that rocked SA footy. It’s not a “rivalry” – it’s hating the entity that tried to extinguish the game in our state (or a delusion of that)…..

    Outside of Victoria – the ‘wobbles are no more than a over-pampered vic club that doesn’t have to play “away” games, has always a “soft fixture” and an inbuilt home-ground advantage come finals time …. as well as gifted sponsorship (and tv) advantages most clubs are not….

  2. I understand there were crow supporters barracking for Geelong as the margin blew out during the Grand final, hoping that Port’s ignominious 2007 thrashing would not be surpassed.

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