When fans are watching the NBA Finals, they want it to feel special.
While the competition between the Nuggets and the Heat is phenomenal, some basketball fans are left unfulfilled by some elements of the production value. Whether it is the court itself or the broadcast on ABC, there are just a few elements that we used to have that we no longer see.
Beginning in 1992, the arena floors featured the cursive NBA Finals logo and/or the Larry O’Brien Trophy to illustrate the significance of the event. This was a simple aesthetic decision, but it creates iconic images during the games like the ones you can see below:
I miss the days where the NBA Finals decal was actually on the court surface. Now it’s nothing but CGI and TV graphics. 😩 pic.twitter.com/XCtE54XW7H
— вяуαηт (@bryant_gotgame) June 2, 2023
The NCAA stopped using decals on the court in 2012, citing safety issues after some players slipped on the inconsistent parts of the floor.
As we wrote a few years ago, the NBA made the same decision in 2014. An NBA spokesman explained why (via The Cauldron):
“We decided to remove the playoffs logo from the court for a variety of reasons, including cleaning up the playing surface … Throughout the postseason, the logo will appear on pole pads and seat backs, and on digital LED stanchions and courtside signage. With this added exposure for playoffs branding, we determined the logos on the court were unnecessary.”
Several notable college coaches complained about the intrusive stickers, so while disappointing for some fans who miss seeing the trophy, this decision was understandable.
Although the league moved away from the boring NBA Finals logo they introduced in 2020 back to the throwback script font, it just doesn’t feel as special when it’s superimposed on your screen YouTubeTV as the presenting sponsor.
But it isn’t just the on-court decals that are missing from the product. Some fans feel that the broadcast on ABC/ESPN is also missing the fun pomp and circumstance.
Not that long ago, the team logos used to turn gold on the broadcast scoring bug during the NBA Finals. Now, we are getting the same theme music and scoreboard from the regular season.
It isn’t just basketball fans who are expecting to see more, though. Players, like Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton, have voiced their frustration as well.
Put the trophy at half court and make the scoreboard bigger/feel like the finals
— Tyrese Haliburton (@TyHaliburton22) June 5, 2023
It lowkey feels like ESPN/ABC not even treating this like the NBA Finals
— Niko (@nikotaughtyou) June 5, 2023
Where did ESPN's aura go? This doesnt feel like the finals pic.twitter.com/FgUDjuyuau
— Brandon Nimmo Fan (@officialtbirder) June 2, 2023
ESPN not updating the bottom scoreboard for the NBA Finals is really disappointing. An important broadcast detail. Having the same scoreboard makes it feel like a regular season game
— Matt Spendley (@mattspendley) June 5, 2023
This ESPN scoreboard for the NBA Finals might be the worst fall off I’ve seen for any scoreboard in sports history
— Mann (@TheMisterMann) June 2, 2023
The NBA really needs to bring the trophy back to the middle of the court during the Finals pic.twitter.com/wa7SNNlFLg
— Ky Carlin (@Ky_Carlin) June 5, 2023
I really miss when they had the trophy on the court for the Finals pic.twitter.com/gOk9i6jKaY
— Nathan Marzion (@nathanmarzion) June 5, 2023
Please bring the trophy court back @NBA pic.twitter.com/RnNanzq4bS
— Will Kennedy (@ByWillKennedy) June 5, 2023
This ESPN scoreboard is awful. Broadcast looks like a regular season game
— Lake Show Lars (@LarsonTanner02) June 5, 2023
This is very late but don’t usually ABC change the scoreboard for the NBA finals??? Why didn’t they do that this year
— Heat/Fins🐬🔥 (@Heat4life01) June 5, 2023
No dramatic theatre leading up to the game? And the scorebug is what really stands out as others have mentioned. https://t.co/Bh4NvGBWoZ
— Chris Williamson (@CWilliamson44) June 5, 2023
This scorebug on ESPN is just terrible. Like how did we steadily downgrade from this to what is currently on the TV? pic.twitter.com/P81luSyls8
— Sports Talk Spicer (@SportsSpicer) June 2, 2023
Why does ESPN have the seeding numbers on the score bug? It’s The Finals.
— Austin Bechtold (@AustinRBechtold) June 2, 2023
Doesn’t even feel like the Finals. Something is off
— Alex (@Patsnation87) June 5, 2023
Lol this dont even feel like the finals
— EVERYTHINGWORKIN🌍💵 (@_Adro) June 5, 2023
Ngl this finals do not feel like an NBA finals to me.
— SAINT (@_SaintParis) June 5, 2023
These finals have absolutely zero hype/aura. The promotion sucks, the court for the finals is such a drop off compared to 10-15 years ago, the music that ABC/ESPN plays, and even the scoreboard fell off BADLY!😭
— Aidan LaPorta (@aidanlaporta69) June 5, 2023
this finals feels like it could have been played on a wednesday night in february
— lil bump stock (@m_booker1) June 5, 2023
