2009 NBA Imperialism Map

Territory Changes

Team Territory Control

This table shows all teams sorted by the number of territories they control.

Final standings: the Los Angeles Lakers finished on top with 30 of 30 territories (100.0%).

Team Territories Controlled
Los Angeles Lakers 30 (100.0%)

Play with the NBA Map

Simulate your own territory battles: spin the wheel, input results, and see what happens.

Editable NBA Map Random NBA Team Generator

Imperialism Map is proudly sponsored by another of my projects:

Territory Creator


Sales territory management software

Because not all territorial conquests happen on the field.

Territory Mapping Software

How NBA Territory Conquest Works

  • Every team starts with the land closest to its arena.
  • Win a game and you take all of the loser's territory.
  • Territory carries over all season, with no resets until next year.
  • Click any territory to trace every team that held it.

Full Rules and FAQ

Shared Venues Note

Some teams in this season share a venue location. For visualization purposes, each team's territory boundary is calculated from a slightly offset position (~300 feet apart) to create distinct territories.

  • Staples Center:
    • Los Angeles Clippers (nudged NE)
    • Los Angeles Lakers (nudged SW)

Data sources: Game data from Sports Reference; venue data from VenueStats .

📖 I also built MakeCookbook Turn family recipes into a beautiful printed book
Make your own cookbook

Season Records

The standout territory feats of the season.

Biggest Land Grab
+30
Oklahoma City Thunder
in a single day (2009-01-14)
Longest Reign
33
Boston Celtics
straight days as leader
Most Conquered
314
Los Angeles Lakers
territories taken all season
Biggest Collapse
−30
Oklahoma City Thunder
lost in one day (2009-01-18)

Team Directory

Each team's season at a glance — days spent leading the map, largest empire, territory conquered, and the rise-and-fall sparkline. Sorted by who dominated.

Los Angeles Lakers

Staples Center

55 days led peak 30 +314 taken

Boston Celtics

TD Garden

50 days led peak 30 +70 taken

Utah Jazz

EnergySolutions Arena

33 days led peak 30 +96 taken

Atlanta Hawks

Philips Arena

17 days led peak 30 +38 taken

Cleveland Cavaliers

Quicken Loans Arena

12 days led peak 30 +37 taken

Denver Nuggets

Pepsi Center

11 days led peak 30 +77 taken

New Orleans Hornets

New Orleans Arena

7 days led peak 30 +69 taken

Houston Rockets

Toyota Center

5 days led peak 30 +97 taken

Miami Heat

American Airlines Arena

5 days led peak 30 +60 taken

Oklahoma City Thunder

Ford Center

4 days led peak 30 +30 taken

Memphis Grizzlies

FedExForum

2 days led peak 30 +32 taken

Phoenix Suns

US Airways Center

2 days led peak 30 +40 taken

Washington Wizards

Verizon Center

2 days led peak 30 +30 taken

Orlando Magic

Amway Arena

1 day led peak 30 +30 taken

Indiana Pacers

Conseco Fieldhouse

0 days led peak 12 +21 taken

Detroit Pistons

The Palace of Auburn Hills

0 days led peak 6 +15 taken

New Jersey Nets

Izod Center

0 days led peak 5 +6 taken

Minnesota Timberwolves

Target Center

0 days led peak 5 +6 taken

Philadelphia 76ers

Wachovia Center

0 days led peak 5 +7 taken

San Antonio Spurs

AT&T Center

0 days led peak 5 +12 taken

Chicago Bulls

United Center

0 days led peak 4 +5 taken

Toronto Raptors

Air Canada Centre

0 days led peak 3 +2 taken

Dallas Mavericks

American Airlines Center

0 days led peak 2 +2 taken

Golden State Warriors

Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena

0 days led peak 2 +2 taken

Milwaukee Bucks

Bradley Center

0 days led peak 2 +3 taken

New York Knicks

Madison Square Garden

0 days led peak 2 +3 taken

Sacramento Kings

ARCO Arena

0 days led peak 2 +2 taken

Charlotte Bobcats

Time Warner Cable Arena

0 days led peak 1 +0 taken

Los Angeles Clippers

Staples Center

0 days led peak 1 +0 taken

Portland Trail Blazers

Rose Garden

0 days led peak 1 +0 taken

Explore NBA Through the Years

All 80 NBA seasons, 1947 to 2026. Replay any of them game by game, or make your own version.

NBA seasons of the 2020s

NBA seasons of the 2010s

NBA seasons of the 2000s

NBA seasons of the 1990s

NBA seasons of the 1980s

NBA seasons of the 1970s

NBA seasons of the 1960s

NBA seasons of the 1950s

NBA seasons of the 1940s

More Sports Imperialism Maps

Questions or Feedback?

Got ideas for making these maps better? Found something weird? Want to suggest a new feature?

Get in Touch View FAQ About This Site