Sentiment · 2026-27

Player sentiment

How fans and media talk about players and teams. The two are shown side by side, never merged into one number.

Data as of Oct 6, 2026Headlines· Oct 61,543 headlinesFans· Oct 631,071 fan postsCurated· Aug 22prototype values, not measured

A language model rates the tone of headlines, fan posts and comments toward the players they name. Team scores and fan posts from before the model still use a word list, so read those as rough.

Sources and method

Headlines· Oct 6Media lanes. 1,543 NBA headlines from 23 publishers, Jul 24 to Oct 6. A player needs 3 headlines in the last 7 days to get a score. A language model rates each headline as positive, neutral or negative toward each player it names. Checked against 127 labeled headlines, it matched the label about 7 times in 10 and never rated one the opposite way. Players named only in the summary, and team scores, still use a word list. 72% of this week's player mentions have a model rating.
Fans· Oct 6Fan lanes. 31,071 fan posts: 1,329 headlines from 30 team fan blogs, 1,919 social posts and 27,823 video comments, Jun 25 to Oct 6. A player or team needs 5 posts in the last 7 days to get a score. Comments under the same video share weight, so 100 comments on one video count for less than 100 posts spread across many places. Fan blog headlines get the same model rating as news headlines. Social posts and video comments that name a player are rated by the same model when they are collected, up to a nightly limit. Checked against 143 labeled fan posts, it matched the label about 3 times in 4 and rated 2 the opposite way. The word list matched about half and rated 18 the opposite way. Older posts, posts past the nightly limit and team scores keep the word list. 18% of this week's player mentions in posts and comments have a model rating.
Curated· Aug 22Hand-written prototype values dated Aug 22, 2026. They show how the board works and are not measurements.

How often the tone rating matches a hand labelSame as the labelOne step offOpposite side

News headlines 63 headlines

Language model

71% match0 opposite.

Word list

52% match2 opposite.

Social posts 72 posts

Language model

76% match0 opposite.

Word list

44% match6 opposite.

Video comments 71 comments

Language model

72% match2 opposite.

Word list

54% match12 opposite.

A coding agent labeled each one positive, neutral or negative toward one named player, not a human panel. One step off means a neutral rating where the label picked a side, or the reverse. The headline set leaves out the half used to tune the word list.

Fan and media tone are kept separate from performance metrics and Movement Center evidence. The privacy page lists what is kept from each source.

Players

266 players for 2026-27. 264 have at least one measured lane. Filtering topic defense.

How this works

Trend compares the last 7 days of headline tone with the 7 days before. It stays blank until both weeks have enough headlines. DRBL/100 is last season's.


LeBron James	PHI	54%Fans	53%Headlines	−3	98	+0.2
Giannis Antetokounmpo	MIA	54%Fans	69%Headlines	—	60	+1.9
Luka Doncic	LAL	56%Fans	60%Headlines	−10	57	+1.1
Jalen Duren	DET	55%Fans	80%Headlines	+64	51	+2.0
Karl-Anthony Towns	NYK	53%Fans	38%Headlines	−7	46	+0.3
Stephen Curry	GSW	60%Fans	58%Headlines	−4	43	+1.2
Jaylen Brown	PHI	61%Fans	65%Headlines	+35	33	-0.1
Austin Reaves	LAL	57%Fans	55%Headlines	−26	29	+0.4
Joel Embiid	PHI	56%Fans	53%Headlines	−18	26	+0.2
Ariel Hukporti	PHI	52%Fans	9%Headlines	—	24	-0.7
Victor Wembanyama	SAS	57%Fans	52%Headlines	—	20	+1.7
Draymond Green	GSW	46%Fans	43%Headlines	−24	19	-1.7
Walker Kessler	LAL	62%Fans	52%Headlines	—	18	—
Brandon Boston Jr.	CHI	57%Fans	62%Headlines	—	17	—
Bronny James	LAL	54%Fans	66%Headlines	−1	17	-0.9
Kawhi Leonard	TOR	51%Fans	44%Headlines	+3	16	+2.4
Dalton Knecht	LAL	61%Fans	22%Headlines	—	15	+0.1
Dillon Brooks	PHX	48%Fans	10%Headlines	—	15	-0.0
Ben Simmons	SAC	53%Fans	56%Headlines	+17	14	—
Tyrese Maxey	PHI	60%Fans	70%Headlines	—	14	+1.3
Anthony Edwards	MIN	63%Fans	55%Headlines	—	13	+1.4
Jordan Hawkins	MEM	55%Fans	38%Headlines	—	13	-1.1
Kevin Durant	HOU	56%Fans	49%Headlines	—	12	+1.2
3136776	—	56%Fans	51%Headlines	+17	11	—
Josh Hart	NYK	53%Fans	50%Headlines	—	11	+0.0
LaMelo Ball	MIN	59%Fans	85%Headlines	—	11	-0.0
Brandin Podziemski	GSW	56%Fans	85%Headlines	—	10	+0.1
Jayson Tatum	BOS	60%Fans	83%Headlines	—	10	-0.3
Klay Thompson	MIA	66%Fans	78%Headlines	—	10	+0.1
Nikola Jokic	DEN	64%Fans	63%Headlines	−9	10	+1.4
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander	OKC	55%Fans	55%Headlines	—	10	+2.8
Ja Morant	POR	65%Fans	56%Headlines	—	9	-1.2
Matisse Thybulle	LAL	67%Fans	57%Headlines	—	9	+1.5
Darius Garland	LAC	57%Fans	53%Headlines	—	8	-0.3
Tobias Harris	SAS	54%Fans	14%Headlines	—	8	+0.8
4432173	—	69%Fans	56%Headlines	+4	7	—
Adou Thiero	LAL	64%Fans	81%Headlines	—	7	—
VJ Edgecombe	PHI	61%Fans	88%Headlines	—	7	0.0
Ziaire Williams	LAL	71%Fans	88%Headlines	—	7	+0.9
Bam Adebayo	MIA	58%Fans	67%Headlines	—	6	+0.0
Damian Lillard	POR	56%Fans	52%Headlines	—	6	—
Kyrie Irving	DAL	64%Fans	63%Headlines	—	6	—
Mike Conley	BOS	72%Fans	67%Headlines	—	6	-0.8
Mohamed Diawara	NYK	66%Fans	67%Headlines	—	6	-0.1
Nikola Jovic	MIA	69%Fans	50%Headlines	—	6	-1.7
OG Anunoby	NYK	58%Fans	73%Headlines	—	6	+1.0
Tyler Herro	MIL	53%Fans	18%Headlines	—	6	+0.7
Al Horford	GSW	64%Fans	70%Headlines	—	5	-0.3
Cason Wallace	OKC	53%Fans	30%Headlines	—	5	+0.7
De'Anthony Melton	GSW	59%Fans	80%Headlines	—	5	+0.1
DeMar DeRozan	DEN	57%Fans	71%Headlines	—	5	+0.2
Donovan Mitchell	CLE	52%Fans	84%Headlines	—	5	+1.4
Jalen Brunson	NYK	59%Fans	53%Headlines	−39	5	+0.6
Keon Ellis	BKN	—	94%Headlines	—	5	+0.6
Trae Young	WAS	56%Fans	30%Headlines	—	5	-0.2
Amen Thompson	HOU	60%Fans	61%Headlines	—	4	+0.4
Ayo Dosunmu	MIN	—	99%Headlines	—	4	+1.2
Collin Sexton	LAL	59%Fans	31%Headlines	—	4	+0.7
Jamal Shead	TOR	75%Fans	100%Headlines	—	4	-0.7
John Collins	DET	56%Fans	25%Headlines	—	4	+0.6
Julius Randle	BKN	54%Fans	73%Headlines	—	4	-0.0
Kyle Kuzma	MIL	51%Fans	5%Headlines	—	4	-0.5
Miles McBride	NYK	43%Fans	50%Headlines	—	4	+1.1
RJ Barrett	TOR	60%Fans	26%Headlines	—	4	+0.2
Ryan Nembhard	DEN	86%Fans	72%Headlines	—	4	-1.6
Scottie Barnes	TOR	45%Fans	71%Headlines	—	4	+0.0
Zion Williamson	NOP	51%Fans	25%Headlines	—	4	+1.3
Devin Booker	PHX	55%Fans	84%Headlines	—	3	-0.0
Domantas Sabonis	SAC	55%Fans	67%Headlines	—	3	-0.6
Jake LaRavia	LAL	59%Fans	67%Headlines	—	3	-0.3
Jalen Williams	OKC	87%Fans	85%Headlines	—	3	+0.1
James Harden	CLE	55%Fans	56%Headlines	—	3	+0.0
Jared McCain	OKC	68%Fans	67%Headlines	—	3	-0.3
Jarred Vanderbilt	LAL	47%Fans	45%Headlines	—	3	-0.7
Jaylon Tyson	CLE	55%Fans	46%Headlines	—	3	+0.3
Matas Buzelis	CHI	66%Fans	59%Headlines	—	3	-0.0
Naz Reid	CHA	75%Fans	61%Headlines	—	3	+0.2
Nic Claxton	CHI	55%Fans	26%Headlines	—	3	-0.1
Rudy Gobert	MIN	53%Fans	88%Headlines	—	3	+0.5
Tim Hardaway Jr.	MIA	55%Fans	67%Headlines	—	3	+0.8
Alperen Sengun	HOU	65%Fans	61%Curated	——	—	-0.4
Andre Drummond	NYK	61%Fans	—	——	—	-0.4
Andrew Wiggins	MIA	73%Fans	—	——	—	+0.0
Antonio Reeves	MIN	64%Fans	—	——	—	—
Ausar Thompson	DET	64%Fans	—	——	—	+0.3
Bennedict Mathurin	NOP	57%Fans	—	——	—	-0.5
Bradley Beal	LAC	38%Curated	44%Curated	——	—	—
Brook Lopez	LAC	69%Fans	—	——	—	-0.3
Cade Cunningham	DET	61%Fans	54%Curated	——	—	+0.1
Cedric Coward	MEM	69%Fans	—	——	—	+0.1
Charles Bassey	GSW	75%Fans	—	——	—	—
Chet Holmgren	OKC	51%Fans	56%Curated	——	—	+1.1
Christian Braun	DEN	65%Fans	—	——	—	+0.1
Collin Gillespie	PHX	51%Fans	—	——	—	+0.3
Daniss Jenkins	DET	70%Fans	—	——	—	-0.4
DaRon Holmes II	DEN	56%Fans	—	——	—	—
Davion Mitchell	MIA	51%Fans	—	——	—	-0.4
Deandre Ayton	WAS	52%Fans	—	——	—	+0.5
Derik Queen	NOP	72%Fans	—	——	—	-1.1
Devin Vassell	SAS	69%Fans	—	——	—	+0.5
Dominick Barlow	PHI	48%Fans	—	——	—	-0.1
Donovan Clingan	POR	47%Fans	—	——	—	+0.4
Dyson Daniels	ATL	60%Fans	—	——	—	-0.1
Evan Mobley	CLE	56%Fans	—	——	—	+0.5
Gary Trent Jr.	MIL	50%Fans	—	——	—	-0.5
Georges Niang	GSW	64%Fans	—	——	—	—
GG Jackson	MEM	47%Fans	—	——	—	-0.1
Gui Santos	GSW	56%Fans	—	——	—	+0.2
Isaac Okoro	CHI	66%Fans	—	——	—	-0.4
Isaiah Collier	UTA	65%Fans	—	——	—	-1.1
Isaiah Joe	DET	71%Fans	—	——	—	+1.4
Isaiah Stewart	MEM	59%Fans	—	——	—	+0.3
Jaden McDaniels	MIN	67%Fans	—	——	—	+0.3
Jalen Johnson	ATL	70%Fans	—	——	—	-0.3
Jalen Smith	CHI	72%Fans	—	——	—	+0.5
Jamaree Bouyea	PHX	60%Fans	—	——	—	+0.2
James Wiseman	NYK	67%Fans	—	——	—	—
Javon Small	MEM	60%Fans	—	——	—	+0.4
Jerami Grant	MEM	68%Fans	—	——	—	+0.7
Jeremiah Fears	NOP	70%Fans	—	——	—	-0.7
Jeremy Sochan	POR	67%Fans	—	——	—	-0.3
Joan Beringer	MIN	61%Fans	—	——	—	+0.2
Jonathan Isaac	ORL	49%Fans	—	——	—	-0.6
Jonathan Kuminga	MIN	68%Fans	—	——	—	-0.3
Jordan Poole	NOP	52%Fans	—	——	—	-0.8
Jrue Holiday	POR	61%Fans	—	——	—	+0.4
Julian Reese	NOP	70%Fans	—	——	—	-0.4
Kevin Huerter	DET	36%Fans	—	——	—	-0.2
Kevon Looney	LAL	63%Fans	—	——	—	-0.3
Landry Shamet	NYK	59%Fans	—	——	—	+0.8
Lauri Markkanen	UTA	56%Fans	—	——	—	+1.8
Luke Kennard	PHX	44%Fans	—	——	—	+0.9
Luke Kornet	SAS	59%Fans	—	——	—	+0.6
Malik Monk	SAC	79%Fans	—	——	—	-0.3
Marcus Smart	HOU	68%Fans	—	——	—	-0.3
Miles Bridges	PHX	57%Fans	—	——	—	+0.2
Mitchell Robinson	BOS	62%Fans	—	——	—	+0.9
Nae'Qwan Tomlin	CLE	51%Fans	—	——	—	-0.0
Naji Marshall	DAL	66%Fans	—	——	—	+0.6
Paolo Banchero	ORL	60%Fans	63%Curated	——	—	-0.4
Pascal Siakam	IND	61%Fans	41%Curated	——	—	+0.4
Pelle Larsson	MIA	65%Fans	—	——	—	-0.2
Quentin Grimes	LAL	67%Fans	—	——	—	-0.3
Rasheer Fleming	PHX	52%Fans	—	——	—	+0.1
Ryan Rollins	MIL	55%Fans	—	——	—	+0.2
Sandro Mamukelashvili	LAL	62%Fans	—	——	—	+1.1
Scotty Pippen Jr.	MEM	64%Fans	—	——	—	—
Steven Adams	HOU	57%Fans	—	——	—	-0.5
Terrence Shannon Jr.	MIN	52%Fans	—	——	—	-0.4
Toumani Camara	POR	62%Fans	—	——	—	+0.3
Trey Lyles	MIN	45%Fans	—	——	—	—
Ty Jerome	MEM	85%Fans	—	——	—	+0.6
Tyus Jones	DEN	91%Fans	—	——	—	-0.8
Will Richard	GSW	59%Fans	—	——	—	+0.1
Yves Missi	NOP	83%Fans	—	——	—	-0.5
Zaccharie Risacher	DAL	65%Fans	—	——	—	-0.2
Zach LaVine	SAC	63%Fans	—	——	—	+0.4

Showing 157 of 266 players. Trend is in percentage points on the 0–100% scale.