Seven NBA Players Who Were Universally Loved

by Jeremy Block - 7/24/2025

NBA players who were universally loved Klay Thompson

NBA fans love to argue. Top five this, GOAT that, championship rings versus stats—every opinion gets chewed up and spit out in the group chat. But somehow, a few players managed to duck all that nonsense and be liked by any fan of the sport.

Certain players have a way of winning over every type of fan. Whether it’s through their skills, their attitude, or simply not being jerks. No matter if your team got wrecked by them, you still had to respect what they brought to the court. Let’s dive in and check out seven NBA players every fan loved, no matter what.

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Tim Duncan

If you know basketball, then you know Tim Duncan wore the same expression whether he hit a game-winner or got called for a foul. Sure, he made elite look boring. And somehow, fans loved him for it. He wasn’t loud, didn’t flex, and definitely didn’t give you soundbites.

Despite having all the charisma, Duncan was universally respected. And over time, his quiet dominance turned into genuine love from fans. You knew exactly what you were getting with him: midrange bank shots, blocks, and a clean box score. He wasn’t flashy, but he was authentic. And people appreciated the hell out of that.

Manu Ginobili

You didn’t need to be a Spurs fan to love Manu Ginobili. Ginobili played with the kind of chaotic brilliance that made no sense on paper but always worked. One minute he’s flying into traffic like he lost control of the controller, finishing with a left-handed reverse layup or tossing a no-look dime to a cutter you didn’t even see on screen.

He sacrificed stats, minutes, and spotlight for the team, and somehow made himself more beloved for it. Nobody cared that he came off the bench because when he was in, the game instantly got more interesting. His playstyle was a bit unorthodox, but it was nearly impossible to root against.

Allen Iverson

There wasn’t a single fan who watched Iverson and didn’t at least consider buying a shooting sleeve or get cornrows. Look, you didn't have to love the 76ers. But if you saw ‘AI’ breaking ankles and finishing through three guys twice his size, you knew that you were in for a treat. He played like every game was personal.

Iverson was raw, emotional, and carried himself like he owed nobody a thing—and fans loved him for that. Let’s not get it twisted, he dragged some awful Sixers teams deep into the playoffs with an unlimited offensive bag and a crossover that should be in the Hall of Fame by itself. Say what you want about his practice habits, but people loved watching him play.

Steve Nash

No one really hated Steve Nash. He ran the offense like he was directing traffic at rush hour: quick decisions, pinpoint passing, and just enough scoring to keep the defense on its heels. When it comes to ball movement, Nash made it look like an art, and he did it all while looking like a guy you’d see at your local gym, not a two-time MVP.

He never talked trash, didn’t need to be flashy, and still torched defenses with pinpoint precision. Watching Nash run a fast break was basketball’s version of comfort food. Fans respected the craft, but more than that, they just liked the guy. You could've hated the Phoenix Suns for being good back then, but never Nash.

Carmelo Anthony

Being a walking bucket will earn you some fans. Doing it while making it look easy? That was Carmelo Anthony’s entire brand. He could jab-step his defender for 22 seconds of the shot clock, still get a clean look, and somehow people never got tired of it. Anthony’s game was smooth, his energy was intense, and when he found his rhythm, crowds immediately lit up.

Even when his teams didn’t go far, the love never really faded from the NBA fanbase. Fans stuck with him throughout his career: Denver, New York, Oklahoma City, Houston and even Portland. Why? Because he was real. He never pretended to be a savior. Anthony just wanted the ball, a clean look, and a chance to remind the basketball world that he was an unstoppable threat on offense.

Jamal Crawford

Every time Jamal Crawford checked into a game, you knew you were about to see something ridiculous. Crawford dribbled like he had ball-handling cheat codes. He’d drop defenders just to remind them they weren’t in his league, and then do it again for fun. Whether he was scoring 50 points off the bench or twisting defenders' ankles into pretzels, he played like a guy who genuinely loved the game.

And fans fed off it. He wasn’t chasing headlines or begging for attention. He just wrecked the poor defender stuck guarding him, then casually jogged back on defense. You didn’t need to know his stats to enjoy watching him. Jamal Crawford was the ultimate microwave scorer and the rare player who made even garbage time worth watching during the mid 2000’s.

Klay Thompson

There’s something about a player who doesn’t talk much, plays tough on-ball defense, and randomly scores 37 points in a quarter like it’s no big deal. Klay Thompson might be the most chill nuclear weapon the league has ever seen. No flexing, no drama or trash talking—just catch, shoot, and play defense.

But why did fans love him if he was so basic? Because he felt authentic. Thomspon stayed in his lane, hit tough shots, locked down the other team’s best guard, and looked like he was just having fun doing it. Whether he was scoring 60 points on 11 dribbles or casually hitting off-balance threes, Thompson was easy to root for, unless you were the poor guy trying to guard him.

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Start:	August 13, 2025 @ 2:10 PM
Expert:	Scott Spreitzer
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Seven NBA Players Who Were Universally Loved

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