Fansided

Every NBA team’s biggest celebrity fan

By Brendon Kleen

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 22: Beyonce and Jay Z laugh during the game between the Brooklyn Nets and the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on January 22, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and condition of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 22: Beyonce and Jay Z laugh during the game between the Brooklyn Nets and the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on January 22, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and condition of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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DALLAS, TX – APRIL 11: Former NFL quarterback Tony Romo
DALLAS, TX – APRIL 11: Former NFL quarterback Tony Romo /

Dallas Mavericks: Mark Cuban

The Mavericks’ owner is one of the world’s great purveyors of quantity. He has his hand in dozens of different endeavors across the corporate world, but the majority of his attention goes to the Mavericks. Though Donnie Nelson is technically the President and General Manager for Dallas, and is well-respected around the league, Cuban is an owner whose word carries lots of weight. Watch Cuban on the sideline of a Mavericks game and you’ll immediately understand that his interest is rooted in passion and not power. It’s what gives him a spot on this list.

Most owners are obviously big fans of their own teams; Cuban takes it to the next level. On the court, he is perhaps the most involved owner in the game. His courtside seats are permanent, and it’s not uncommon to see him give a referee grief or poke at the opposition. One of the main duties of fandom is unwavering support for your team. Cuban howling from the sideline is about the furthest you can go in the direction. For that reason, he is more than an owner, and is a true fan.

I can’t tell if the Mavs fans are happy in that clip because of Dirk’s inevitable achievement or because seeing Nerlens Noel on the court makes them emotional about being the only team to win a trade with Philly over the last five years. I have a feeling Cuban would celebrate both. Real respect real.

Another great example of why Mark Cuban is for sure the best and most important Mavericks fan is his relationship with Chandler Parsons. The reason is pettiness. The story of how “forgivable, fixable issues” in the locker room and a reasonable injury history turned into a break-up between two of the NBA’s closest bros is wonderful. Quietly, Owner Cuban grew uneasy about offering Parsons a hefty long-term deal due to concerns about his friend’s knee. As a result, Friend Cuban stopped replying to Friend Parsons’ calls and texts. Parsons felt ignored by both Owner Cuban and Friend Cuban. Now it’s a “sensitive subject” for the Cubans Friend and Owner, who feel betrayed and weird about it. Feeling betrayed and weird about something is definitely a very fan thing to do. Fan Cuban is yet another role to be considered in the saga, and probably most representative overall.

Lastly, the billionaire has reportedly considered running for president, joining Dwayne Johnson, Kanye West and Mark Zuckerberg has people who are definitely going to be in the first debate come 2019. This report instantly made him more interesting than anyone else who has ever cheered for the Mavericks.

Mark Cuban is an irreplaceable and fascinating part of the Mavericks’ aesthetic. He has created a culture of laid-back professionalism over nearly two decades, and it has occasionally come back to bite him. It’s all part of the Dallas experience, and it came with a championship. No one wants anything as badly as Mark Cuban wants the Mavericks to win basketball games.

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