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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Cole Huff

Ranking all current NBA mascots, from worst to best

The summer is in the rear-view and October has officially marked the return of NBA basketball. Players and coaches are back in the team facilities, shoes are squeaking on the hardwood and basketballs are flying around 15,000-seat arenas as I type this.

More importantly, mascots are back!

As the season kicks off next week, will be back to try to make each of the 82-plus games even more entertaining for fans. But today, none of that matters. We’re about to get real superficial as we take a look at each mascot and rank their appearance from worst to first.

Enjoy!

26
Lucky the Leprechaun - Boston Celtics

(Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports)

What is this?

25
Rumble the Bison - Oklahoma City Thunder

(Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports)

Many fans adore this mascot, but I just can’t get into it. At all.

24
Burnie - Miami Heat

(Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports)

The word to describe Burnie is ‘random.’

23
Hooper - Detroit Pistons

(Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports)

Nothing to get excited about. Yawn.

22
Slamson the Lion - Sacramento Kings

(Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports)

I get the whole ‘Lion King” concept. Still, very mediocre.

21
Crunch the Wolf - Minnesota Timberwolves

(Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports)

Basic. Good vibes around Minnesota for the T’Wolves, though.

20
Blaze the Trail Cat - Portland Trail Blazers

(Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports)

In a league full of cool mascots, this one doesn’t stand out at all.

19
Grizz - Memphis Grizzlies

(Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports)

Scary as heck, in true grizzly bear form.

18
Bango the Buck - Milwaukee Backs

(Michael McLoone-USA TODAY Sports)

The name is better than the costume. C-level mascot.

17
Stuff the Magic Dragon - Orlando Magic

(Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports)

I’m really not sure if I like this or hate it.

16
Boomer - Indiana Pacers

(Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports)

It’s…fine.

15
Pierre the Pelican - New Orleans Pelicans

(Andrew Wevers-USA TODAY Sports)

Hey, a unique one! Bonus points for being one of a kind.

14
Sir CC - Cleveland Cavaliers

(David Richard-USA TODAY Sports)

Much better than Moon Dog. I actually kind of dig this mascot.

13
Jazz Bear - Utah Jazz

(Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports)

Not the greatest execution, but iconic nonetheless.

12
Franklin - Philadelphia 76ers

(Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports)

Franklin just fits the vibe of the arena. At least, from my seat he does.

11
Clutch the Bear - Houston Rockets

(Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports)

Clutch City likes the bear and so do I.

10
Harry the Hawk - Atlanta Hawks

(Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports)

Now, we’re getting to the good stuff. A good-looking costume that actually matches the team name.

9
Hugo the Hornet - Charlotte Hornets

(Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports)

You throw some Jordans on the feet and you automatically get a little boost. Otherwise, a decent design but nothing special.

8
Champ - Dallas Mavericks

(Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports)

Yeah, this is pretty sweet. From the colors to the head, Champ deserves some flowers.

7
Go the Gorilla - Phoenix Suns

(Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports)

When I see Go, I always feel like I’m watching a Geico commercial from back in the day with one of those cavemen. This really shouldn’t be the Suns’ mascot, but at the same time, it has to be.

6
Chuck the Condor - LA Clippers

(Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports)

Somehow, this condor has become one of the more recognizable in the NBA, even though it has nothing to do with a clipper or the city of Los Angeles.

5
G-Wiz - Washington Wizards

(Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports)

I can’t lie, this goofy thing is actually pretty cool.

4
Rocky the Mountain Lion - Denver Nuggets

(Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports)

Rocky is elite and is compensated as such.

3
The Raptor - Toronto Raptors

(Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports)

The dinosaur mascot has evolved over time but remains iconic in every way.

2
The Coyote - San Antonio Spurs

(Daniel Dunn-USA TODAY Sports)

The Coyote doesn’t get the credit it deserves! I’m here to show respect for one of the best mascots we have ever seen.

1
Benny the Bull - Chicago Bulls

(Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports)

The cream of the crop. Benny the Bull is the standard for NBA mascots. He goes way back and his reign as the NBA mascot champ shouldn’t change going forward.

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