TOP 10 NBA COMMERCIALS
December 8, 2008 by B. C.
There’s no question the NBA has provided some of the most entertaining and dramatic moments in all of sports. As a result, its global popularity has continued to rise year after year. However, the game itself is not the only thing driving the NBA marketing machine. Over the years, we’ve seen a ton of great commercials featuring NBA players. These commercials, ranging from dramatic to funny to inspiring, have no doubt helped the NBA and its players achieve even more popularity among diehard basketball fans and casual observers alike.
Here’s my top 10:
10. Nike freestyle
Released at the peak of the And 1 street ball popularity, this commercial features both NBA players and street ballers performing basketball moves to a hip-hop beat.
9. Let your game speak
Inspiring commercial showing kids of different ages, races, and genders imitating some of MJ’s most popular moves. One of the first dramatic basketball commercials, this style can be seen in recent commercials such as the “Where Amazing Happens” series. Could be seen as the evolution of the “Be like Mike” spot.
8. Gheorghe Muresan cologne
This commercial sells itself. Mmm… cabbage.
7. Jordan vs. Jordan
For anyone who’s ever wondered if young Jordan is better than old Jordan, this one’s for you.
6. Kobe vs. the kid
There’s just something awesome about watching Kobe destroy a young boy in a game of hoops, and the kid not backing down.
5. Be like Mike
The commercial that started the famous catch phrase.
4. There can only be one
A series of commercials released during the 2008 playoffs, these spots featured a split screen of two NBA players reciting the same monologue, proving that the ultimate goal is the same for all: to win the NBA championship.
3. Gotta be the shoes; Do you know Do you know Do you know?
Classic series of commercials released at the height of the Air Jordan era, these commercials pairing Michael Jordan and Mars Blackmon introduced instant pop culture catch phrases including “Do you know do you know do you know?” and “It’s gotta be the shoes!”
2. The Showdown
All that for a Big Mac and fries? This commercial features Michael Jordan and Larry Bird attempting some crazy shots while playing a game of horse. Nothing but net!
1. Johnny Kilroy – 2 Parter
This commercial released shortly after MJ’s first retirement spoofed classic “are they really dead?” conspiracies such as Elvis and Tupac. Steve Martin plays the theorist who is out to prove that MJ is still playing under disguise and with different aliases, including Johnny Kilroy.
should
make
love
can