THE NBA IS BACK!!
That should be enough to pump you up for the restart in the Orlando Disney World bubble as games that count in the standings begin on Thursday night.
But if you need extra firing up? The answer is always to play some NBA on NBC intros from back in the 1990s.
It’s not just the sounds of John Tesh’s Roundball Rock that do it, although that all-time classic is amazing. It’s the sounds of Bob Costas and Marv Albert reading those introductory, beautifully-written scripts with the images of Michael Jordan, Hakeem Olajuwon, Patrick Ewing, Shaquille O’Neal and others all-time greats flashing before our eyes. Every time talk of Tesh’s song comes up — The Ringer just did an oral history — I end up on YouTube going down a rabbit hole of intros.
Here are a few of the best:
1993: Bulls vs. Knicks
This is my all-time favorite. Using the sounds of Enter Sandman is perfection.
1996: Bulls vs. Magic
It’s Lil’ Penny!
1998: Bulls vs. Knicks
“The Knicks and the Bulls. Next.” GOOSEBUMPS!
1993: Bulls vs. Suns
1998: Bulls vs. Pacers
It’s the 1990s, so there’s going to be A LOT of Michael Jordan in these. Nothing wrong with that. Also, the Game 7 intros were ALWAYS the most intense.
1997: Bulls vs. Jazz
1997: Bulls vs. Heat
1991: Bulls vs. Pistons
1995: Knicks vs. Pacers
Gotta love the choral opening.
2001: Lakers vs. 76ers
I love how the formula stayed the same even at the turn of the century: highlights, narrated essay, Roundball Rock.
1992: Blazers vs. Bulls
2016: Warriors vs. Cavaliers
Alright, so this one is fan made. But I’m counting it. It’s SO good.
