Let’s face the music: For a variety of reasons, we’re never getting an NBA team in Nashville. (I’m still holding out hope for an eventual WNBA squad.) There is a thriving contingent of Memphis Grizzlies fans in town who cheer for our state’s only top-level professional basketball squad, but Nashville-Memphis sports relations can be a bit dicey. Local pro-hoops-heads were able to live the fan dream vicariously during the 2025 NBA Playoffs thanks to the Indiana Pacers’ freewheeling Finals run. It’s not unique to have joined the Pacers bandwagon this past season; their joy was infectious. But Music City hoops fans had extra reason to hop on board: ex-Belmont sharpshooter Ben Sheppard and former Vanderbilt defensive ace Aaron Nesmith played pivotal roles for the Pacers, while Nashville native and University School of Nashville graduate Jenny Boucek is an assistant coach in Indy.
Best NBA Team for Nashville Bandwagoners
