I’m not normally one to mute commercials. First off, I’m not 80. And second, I’ve never had a problem with most. Sometimes, you’ll get annoying ones. Yet every once in a while, you’ll catch a gem. But some of these commercials being run now in the playoffs…man, specifically that T-Mobile one with the weird hipster dude rapping, that’s just outlandish, nonsensical gibberish. It’s an ugly monopoly; I feel like I’m seeing the same ones over and over again.
The industry’s commercial game is either dying a slow death or I’m just looking back with rose-tinted glasses. Back in the day, everyone was putting out dope commercials, from Jordan to Nike to Reebok. Now all we have are the NBA commercials, which we’ve been revealing for you guys here. Still, they’re hit or miss. No classics.
I needed some fresh air. So here are my 10 favorite NBA-related commercials ever. This isn’t a GOAT list. This isn’t a definitive list. It’s my list. My favorites. The ones I grew up with. The ads that can still take me back to a place and time.
*** *** ***
10.
The summer of 1999 was a weird time. I think I watched more soccer during that Women’s World Cup than I have since. Nike did the right thing and capitalized on it. Not only that, they picked the perfect dude for the ad: KG. He pulls it off perfectly. On another note, I didn’t remember a lot of Garnett’s old commercials. The dude had multiple classics that I completely forgot about. I wish we could have Da Kid back.
9.
Do I really need to say anything? I’ve never tried so hard to record a commercial as I did with this one. Every TV break, I had the tape ready, remote in hand. I needed this. So timely. So creative. I only wish they had made a spinoff with just J-Will.
8.
GP‘s look after Kidd says cuddling: priceless. The Fun Police spots were on point. This one was always my favorite. The whole commercial is so random, from the laundromat to the inclusion of Damon Stoudamire (even though he could hoop, he just looks awkward now next to two legends).
7.
Amazingly, all of the kid actors in this spot had the motions and the mannerisms down perfectly. Actually, I guess I shouldn’t have been surprised. Those old tapes will be engraved in a certain generation’s mind forever. Every JB commercial always came correct, and this one was no different. With MJ watching on at the end, it was powerful. A great goodbye.
6.
Back before everyone hated him, LeBron was really good in these commercials. No matter how many times I watch this, it still makes me chuckle. It’s weird how times change. Back then, James was loved because he was funny and down-to-earth, and a clutch killer on the court. And oh yeah, everyone despised Kobe. Fickle right?
5.
The best thing about this commercial? With the dog splashing, the sink running and the bike falling, it conveyed the message perfectly. Nike had another very similar commercial with Penny Hardaway that was nearly just as good. Every Bulls game went like this. You stopped whatever you were doing, and watched, frozen. Every time I see this ad, I wish I was a kid again.
4.
Easily the hardest basketball commercial ever released. AI had a few memorable spots back in the day, but this one stood out. So different, so unique. That 40 Bars beat is just stupid. It didn’t hurt that this ad was for the best Iverson sneakers ever (the IVs) outside of the Questions.
3.
The Lil’ Penny ad campaign was one of the greatest things Nike ever did. Now while this line had some commercials that were probably more memorable (the love song to Tyra Banks and the Super Bowl party come to mind), I used to love this spot simply because of the Penny IIs…possibly my favorite sneakers ever.
2.
Most ads come off as funny, hilarious, superficial. This was like a sonnet to the ballplayer. Even now when I watch this, it gets to me. Powerful? This was more than a commercial.
1.
Before Lil’ Penny and the LeBrons, there was Mars Blackmon.
What’s your favorite?
Follow Sean on Twitter at @SEANesweeney.
Follow Dime on Twitter at @DimeMag.
Become a fan of Dime Magazine on Facebook HERE.
