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About This Quiz
Even though the NBA's legendary franchises are some of the most recognizable in the league, in the last decade or so, they've lost a degree of their power.
Sure, teams are still the ones that offer terms to players, and they are the ones that ultimately have the power to decide if they want to trade away guys they have under contract. But in recent years, the balance of control has tilted more towards the guys on the hardwood.
Consider LeBron James in 2010 - he famously decided to "take his talents" to South Beach, joining up with Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade in an alliance that was ultimately forged by the players themselves, with the teams just paving the way.
For a more recent example, you only need to look to the Big Easy. Less than two weeks before the league's trade deadline, his agent publicly informed the New Orleans Pelicans that he wanted to be traded as soon as possible, setting off a chain reaction of events that could change the way star players handle the way they pick their teams.
Which brings us all to the most important question - if you were an NBA baller, which team would you suit up for? Just pick your answers to the questions below to find out - no trade requests necessary!
How well do you handle snow, hail and cold weather?
I like steady, consistent sunshine.
It doesn't bother me at all.
I'm tough enough not to care, but I prefer dry warmth.
Rain is okay, but otherwise, I prefer hotter temperatures.
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NBA players get big checks on and off the court - how important is it for your city to have opportunities for you outside of basketball?
Basketball is way more important - endorsement opportunities are global now anyway.
It matters, but I'm more focused on enjoying the city itself.
It's one of my most important considerations in picking a team.
Not as important as basketball, but it's up there.
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Pro athletes have big egos - do you need to be recognized as a star in your town?
It's nice, but not exactly necessary.
Yes, I want to be part of the glitz and glamor of where I live.
I couldn't care less.
If it helps me get into the best clubs, sure.
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Coaches are the glue that holds your team together. How important is it for you to have a great coach?
It's one of my main considerations when choosing a team.
It's important, but confidence in the front office matters more.
A good coach helps, but it's not that big of a deal.
The team's brand and legacy are more important.
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Which of the below reputations would you most want your city to have?
Southern mecca of history and art
Tropical party destination
Glamorous playground of the stars
Gritty, tough midwestern town that still knows how to have fun
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Some hoopers choose a city based on how much taxes they have to pay. Does this issue matter to you?
Not at all
It matters, but I'm not going to base my decision on it.
The lower the tax rate, the more inclined I am to play there.
Yes, I want to pay as few taxes as possible.
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GMs are the de-facto leaders of a team's day-to-day operations. Are you choosing your team based on the GM?
Not really, I'm more concerned about the coach and teammates.
As long as there are people I can trust at a high-level in the front office, that's the most important thing.
Yes, it's one of the top factors in my team selection.
Yes, my team needs to have a solid, experienced GM.
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Does your franchise need to have a solid tradition of winning championships?
Yes, it's very important to me.
Yes, even if the team hasn't been great in the last few years.
Not particularly
It matters, but I care more about bringing new championships to the town.
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Many guys choose a team as a way to become one of the franchise's all-time greats. Do you care about your chances of being a legend in the team's history?
I revere the team's historic players - I'll never surpass them, but it would be an honor even to be mentioned in a group with them.
Yes, I'd like a team where I can be one of a few truly great players.
Yes, I want a place with a strong history, but I want to be the face of the new franchise.
Not a lot - I know I'll probably never live up to the franchise's legends, but the team will elevate my brand.
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Besides a great basketball team and a strong organization, what else would you most want your city to have?
Excellent restaurants and historical attractions
Lots of other stars and celebrities
Beautiful women and exciting nightlife
A lot of business activity and great food
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Many people love the coast because it gives them the opportunity to be near water. Do you care about the beaches in your NBA team's city?
Not really - as long as there are some beaches in driving distance.
Yes, beaches are nice, but the town needs other stuff too.
Yes, I want to play somewhere with an amazing beach.
No, I'm not a big beach person.
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Some NBA players believe it's important to carve out a legacy in one town. How much do you care about playing for only one team your entire career?
I'd like to stay in one place as long as possible.
Yes, this is an important factor in deciding where I'll play.
It'd be nice, but it's not going to be a dealbreaker or anything.
It's not a huge concern of mine - my team should elevate my brand while I'm there.
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Do you think it's important to have a good relationship with your team's owner?
Yes, they should be down-to-earth and preferably family-oriented.
Yes - most of all they need to be experienced as the owner of a team.
Not particularly - the GM and coach are way more important.
I'd like to meet them and know who they are, but I'm more concerned about the coach and front office.
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Some markets, like Los Angeles and New York, tend to attract big-name free agents. Does it matter to you how attractive your squad is to other stars?
Yes, it's nice to be in a city that others want to come to.
I'd like my team to be attractive to others because of the organization, not the city.
Not particularly, I'm choosing more based on the city and team itself.
Yes, it needs to be a place where others want to play.
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Certain teams are known for having an athletic training staff that can keep players' bodies in peak conditioning. How important are your team's trainers?
Not that important in selecting where I play.
It matters, but it's not a core concern.
It's not super important - I have my own guys anyway.
They should be some of the best in the business.
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Basketball is a global game - stars are adored from Chicago to China. Does it matter how strong your team's international ties are?
Not particularly, although I appreciate a cultural influence.
It's not that important to me.
It would be great if my city was prominent on an international level.
It should have some degree of international connection, but it doesn't have to be a major international city.
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Basketball is a team sport - what is your attitude towards your teammates?
We're all here to make each other better.
The hierarchy on the team should be obvious.
I want to play in a system that works for me and the other guys.
I'm trying to get my numbers - if the other guys play well, good for them.
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Athletes and musicians are connected in many ways - what kind of music scene do you want to be most prominent in your city?
Rock and country
Blues and jazz
Hip-hop and rap
Salsa and latin
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Interacting with the ones who cheer for you is a big part of being a pro baller. Where would you want to host a meet and greet with fans?
A mall in the city
Somewhere on the beach
A massive convention center
A modest hotel or conference hall
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The NBA season has a grueling schedule. What are you doing on your days off?
Hitting up a fancy restaurant where celebs are known to frequent.
Just relaxing, getting some treatment and preparing myself for the next game
Hiking or doing something else in nature
Partying on a boat
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Which of these industries would you most want to be based in your town?
Tourism
Movies
Finance
Entertainment
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A lot of ballers want to have families - is it important for your city to be a good place to raise kids?
It matters, but it's not top on my list.
Not really, I'm not thinking about kids yet.
Yes, I want them to have plenty of opportunities to be outside.
Yes, I'd like there to be good schools around.
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These days, NBA players are more outspoken about social issues - what's your political ideology?
I lean conservative, but politics isn't really important to me.
Solidly Democratic
Moderate
Progressive
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Ball players always have good relationships with famous celebs in other industries. Which famous person would you most want to hang out with off the court?
Lil Wayne
Brad Paisley
Jack Nicholson
Warren Buffett
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Which of these is your favorite non-basketball sports team name?
Dolphins
Rangers
Blackhawks
Dodgers
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As an NBA player, you'll be bringing in enough dough for a really nice house - what's your ideal crib style?
At the top of a winding, mountainous area so that I can have an amazing view
An amazing penthouse in the heart of the city
A sprawling ranch with lots of land
A sweet palace on the beach
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Every place has a downside; which of these negatives would you best be able to handle?
Oppressive dry heat
Really bad traffic
Cold winters
The temptation for legal trouble
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How large of a city would you like to play in?
As big as possible
Doesn't have to be the biggest, but it should be in the top five.
A mid-sized major city
I'm more concerned about the environment than the population.
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In the NBA, players are rocking fashionable gear as if they were on a runway! Does fashion matter in your team's city?
Not at all
It's important but not the main consideration.
I like nice clothes, but not too much.
Yes, my city needs to be one of the world's fashion capitals.
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Are you more concerned about playing well as an individual, or helping your team win?
I'm trying to be a star myself - everything else is gravy.
I need both to be happy.
I put the team first, way before my own success.
As long as I'm getting paid and living in a nice city, either one is fine.
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You Got:
