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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NASHVILLE, TN – MAY 15: Rock
NASHVILLE, TN – MAY 15: Rock /

Phoenix Suns: Alice Cooper

Because it is so young, the city of Phoenix does not have a lot of famous inhabitants. It is really hot for about half of the year, and has a negligible sports history. Jerry Colangelo had to beg the media to cover his team in the 1960s and 1970s, so there is not much in the way of a celebrity following for the Suns. One exception to that rule is Alice Cooper, by default.

Cooper is the godfather of “Shock Rock” according to Wikipedia and a museum I saw once that explained the whole thing. Basically, that stuff we see all the time now where rock artists sing loudly and wear crazy clothing began with Alice Cooper and his band. There is a pretty easy metaphor here for the Suns and the modern NBA. What I’m saying is that Cooper basically foreshadowed the entire pace-and-space era of professional basketball in America.

The rocker used to have courtside seats, and really didn’t want the Stephon Marbury trade to go down. He also has a local Phoenix bar with a location directly across from the team’s home at Talking Stick Resort arena. The restaurant promises to show each and every Suns game, and gives fans an opportunity after the game to sip away the sadness.

In this ESPN Magazine interview from 2008, Cooper says he has been a fan of the Suns since he was in high school and the team was created. His top three Suns ever were, as of 2008, Paul Westphal, Tom Chambers and Kevin Johnson. He also tried to get Dan Majerle or Charles Barkley to coach the Suns, and while I think it’s in line with most other Suns fans to over-value the 1993 team that made the NBA Finals, I won’t stand for the Steve Nash slander.

Not many people have been NBA fans for fifty years, let alone Suns fans. Cooper is interesting.

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