Blueprint.PH ranked the most popular NBA teams among Filipinos through the interactions on Facebook for the month of May 2021. NBA has been one of the most talked about topics in the landscape of Facebook Philippines, ranking 11th among the top trending keywords categories for the month of May and a total engagement score 2,039,762 (or the interaction of the users through comments, reactions, and shares).
In first place with a total engagement score of 331,934 from 337 posts, is the defending champions Los Angeles Lakers. The LA Lakers were booted out surprisingly from the playoffs in the first round. With some of the worst title defenses in history and Anthony Davis’s crucial injuries, the Lakers were unable to hold off the scorching young hot Phoenix Suns. RMN Iloilo is the top influencer for the LA Lakers in the Philippines. The most top engaging posts for the LA Lakers in the Philippines is from RMN Iloilo,
At second place with a total engagement score of 243,697 from 1677 posts, is the Golden State Warriors (GSW). Through the will of Stephen Curry, they made a valiant effort on the play-in tournament and almost knocked out the Lakers only to be canceled by Lebron James. This team without Curry is almost guaranteed to lose every outing as Draymond Green cannot carry this team alone. The top influencer for GSW is their official Facebook page, Golden State Warriors with 111 posts, and the top local influencer is Jhayzone TV with a total of 20 posts. The top engaging post for GSW is from NBA, “Golden State Warriors players wore the new ‘Mambacita’ outfits before tonight’s game in honor of Gianna Bryant’s 15th birthday today”
At third spot is the Phoenix Suns, with an engagement score of 188,583 from 1411 posts. Led by the scoring of Devin Booker and leadership of Chris Paul, the Phoenix Suns turned around its fate in a span of two years. The addition of Chris Paul further proved that he enables a franchise to take the next step in the playoffs. They knocked out the Lakers and swept the Denver Nuggets who has the league MVP Nikola Jokic on their side. The top engaging post for the Phoenix Suns is from Super Balita Davao and has an engagement score of 5913
In fourth place with an engagement score of 127,999 from 1,128 posts, is the Utah Jazz led by Donovan “The Spider” Mitchell and company. All-Stars Mike Conley and Rudy Gobert make up the starting line-up leading them to have the best record in the league. Jordan Clarkson, a Filipino-American, crowned as the 6th Man of the Year by the NBA, has been putting up consistent scoring putting the Jazz on top of the regular season games. Top engaging post for the Utah Jazz is from Smart Posts, “Congratulations to our kabayan Jordan Clarkson of Utah Jazz for winning the NBA Sixth Man of the year”
In fifth place lies the New York Knicks with an engagement score of 103,174.20 from 938 posts. This team is a surprise high seed with Julius Randle leading the team but was underwhelmed in the series. At the same time Trae Young and the Atlanta Hawks knocked them out with a 4-1 taking them off the playoffs. They will be back next season with a nice addition in Derrick Rose, who has shown shadows of his former self in a Knicks uniform with some 20+ point performances that have rocked MSG. Top engaging post for the New York Knicks is a post from Superbalita Davao, ROSE GIPAISKWELA OG BALIK SI YOUNG, KAY ATABS PA!
Other Top Ranking teams are:
In 6th place with an engagement score of 102,344.90 is the Brooklyn Nets. The trio Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and James Harden lead this team and are basically unstoppable if healthy. However, that is the main enemy because the Brooklyn 3 played together only in 8 games. They have the best odds of winning the title according to Oddsshark, but it does not help that Irving is going to be out for the rest of the series against Milwaukee.
In 7th place with 90,075 engagement score is the Memphis Grizzlies. The Memphis Grizzlies have tried to put out a heroic effort against a juggernaut Utah Jazz team. A gargantuan 47-point performance by Ja Morant has been the highlight of their short playoff run that came from the play-in tournament wherein they knocked out the Golden State Warriors.
At 8th is the Boston Celtics with an engagement score of 76,483. A massive 50-point performance by Jayson Tatum knocked out the Washington Wizards who barely made it into the play-in tournament. Unfortunately, Jaylen Brown being injured and Kemba Walker not being in his 100% condition have hampered the season of the Celtics. They have been knocked out by the Brooklyn Nets with the trio being too powerful to stop with Tatum alone.
In ninth place with an engagement score of 74,256 is the Miami Heat, last year’s NBA finalists. Letting go of key pieces such as Jae Crowder and injuries to Victor Oladipo have hampered this franchise’s chance of going to the playoffs.
And, in tenth place with an engagement score of 59,210.90 is the Milwaukee Bucks led by the Greek Freak and 2x MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo.
