1. Drake, Toronto Raptors
Say what you will about Drake and his recent antics but he is undeniably the biggest name in NBA fandom right now. And not just for the Raptors, but for the entire NBA. He is the global ambassador for the Toronto Raptors and has actually done a lot of good for the team and the city such as making donations to improve community basketball courts in Toronto. The partnership is so tight that just this year, the Raptors' training facility was renamed as the OVO Athletic Center, OVO being Drake's own brand.
2. Jack Nicholson, LA Lakers
For many years, acting legend Jack Nicholson was a courtside fixture at LA Lakers home games. He's such a regular that when a young usher seemingly asked for Nicholson to show his ticket, it became the headline for many sports and showbiz news outfits. Recently, he hasn't been as active in attending games but we'll give him a pass because the guy's already over 80 years old. He still remains as one of the most iconic Lakers / NBA fans ever.
3. Jim Parsons, Houston Rockets
Just like his character Sheldon Cooper, actor Jim Parsons was born in Texas and, apparently, is a big fan of the Rockets. As seen in the video above, Parsons was a part of Houston's Dwight Howard recruitment drive a few years back (when people aparently still believed in Howard). In the video, Parsons tells Howard the importance of a dominant center for the Rockets and references the time when Hakeem Olajuwon was their franchise player. Howard din join the Rockets but we feel like Parsons might have regretted asking him to come.
4. Spike Lee, New York Knicks
If you follow the New York Knicks or at least have watched a handful of their games, then you know who Spike Lee is. The thing with Spike Lee is that he just doesn't cheer for his team, he actively engages the opposing team, particularly their star player. He's had spats with the likes of Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and Kevin Garnett. But perhaps he is known most for his feud with Reggie Miller. Lee and Miller probably have the second greatest rivalry in NBA history next only to Larry Bird / Celtics and Magic Johnson / Lakers.
5. Mark Cuban, Dallas Mavericks
In one interview, Mark Cuban stated that he purchased the Dallas Mavericks team not as an investment but because he loves basketball and it shows. Cuban is a fan first and foremost but that hasn't stopped him from being a good owner. As owner, Cuban helped create a winning culture in Dallas and has delivered a Larry O'Brien trophy to go along with it. His enthusiasm as a fan, his success as an owner, and the April Fools Day prank of him fighting with a referee make him eligible for the Most Valuable Fan award.
And the winner is...
Nav Bhatia, Toronto Raptors
Sorry, Drake. It was never going to be you.
Unlike all the other people on this list, Nav Bhatia is no celebrity. We'll forgive you if you don't even know the guy. But if you've watched any Toronto game since 1995, you've probably seen Nav Bhatia with his scruffy beard and turban. According to Bhatia, he has never missed a home game ever, even through those years when the Raptors could barely win 20 games a year. That and the many contributions he has made to the Toronto, including his work on championing diversity within the community, make him our pick for 2019 Most Valuable Fan.