Where A Playlist Happens: NBA Opening Week

Jun 10, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Danny Green arrives wearing Beats by Dre headphones prior to game three of the 2014 NBA Finals against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

When played the right way, basketball is always set to a steady rhythm, a driving beat. This season, that beat will be literally provided by Kendrick Lamar, in pretty much every single NBA promo video. The song is a good one, and it serves as a fun soundtrack for the classic commercial montages. But when we’re a month into the season, and Brook Lopez is already out for the year and the Jazz are shocking the league and Russell Westbrook is averaging 40 points and no assists and other amazing things are happening—then it’s a commercial break and you hear the song again? You’re gonna be reaallly sick of that Isley Brothers sample, regardless of how catchy it is. So instead, here’s a playlist with 12 other fitting songs to soundtrack the start of the NBA season. Enjoy.

LeBron’s Anthem
“Back To The Shack” – Weezer
Weezer’s latest single is all about returning to your roots. It’s about pleasing the masses and winning back the adoration of fans worldwide. It’s about finally having fun after a long time without it, in a place where you feel most comfortable; in the style that suits you best. It’s a far more fitting anthem for LeBron than that endlessly overplayed Diddy song.

Blake’s Ballad
“Blake’s Got A New Face” – Vampire Weekend
In a stirring piece for Derek Jeter’s new PR platform online newspaper The Player’s Tribune, Blake Griffin wrote about the looming negativity that came with playing for Donald Sterling, and the new optimism felt throughout the Clippers franchise under new owner Steve Ballmer. Following Ricky Rubio’s indispensable advice, it seems Blake may have “changed his face” for the upcoming season.

Deron’s Blues
“Strictly Game” – The Harlem Shakes
“This will be a better year,” goes this song’s chorus. “Make a little money, take a lot of shit, feel real bad, get over it.” That just about sums up the year Deron is about to have. It will be slightly better, he’ll get his paycheck, he’ll be criticized for choking in clutch playoff moments, he’ll get moody about it, then he won’t care because he got his paycheck. Can you tell I’m a bitter Nets fan?

Rondo’s Rhapsody
“Timebomb” – Tove Lo
Rising star Tove Lo is borderline schizophrenic in this incredible pop song that constantly hinges on the verge of falling apart – just like Rondo’s consistently tumultuous relationship with his Celts. “We’re not forever, you’re not the one,” Lo sings about someone she’s given up on–before immediately following up with: “We could be the best thing ever.” You can just picture Danny Ainge and Rajon sitting together on a date night, hearing this come on the jukebox, looking at each other and saying in unison: “This is SO US.”

Ricky’s Rhapsody
“Thread The Needle” – The Griswolds
I’m too excited to watch Ricky thread, weave, and warp basketballs through impossible seams this season to some of the most exciting young players in the league. But let’s look beyond the song’s literal title to make a more meaningful musical connection: The Griswolds are an up-and-coming foreign band trying to make it big in the states, with quality music out and a phenomenal live reputation – they just haven’t quite made it yet. But they’re right there. Ricky is, too.

Russell’s Rhapsody
“I Stand Alone” – Theophilus London
Theophilus has been wrongfully billed as a “next big thing” in hip-hop for a while now, but with a much-hyped new album out (with many of the songs produced by Kanye West), 2014 could finally be his time to shine. With KD sidelined at the moment, the Thunder are truly, fully Westbrook’s team now…for at least a little while. Let’s see how he handles the big spotlight (probably with 30 shots a game.)

Ode To Chauncey
“I Retired” – Hamilton Leithauser
Mr. Big Shot retired. This is a good song called “I Retired.”

Ode To Kobe and KG
“Still Fighting It” – Ben Folds
While Chauncey is calling it quits, some old guys are still trying to fight the “slow cruel hands of time” (yep, this playlist has a bonus track). “Everybody knows it sucks to grow up, but everybody does,” as Folds sings. “Let me tell you what, the years go on and we’re still fighting.” If you listen closely, you can hear Kobe and Kevin singing in return: “Preach.”

The Knicks’ New Sound
“Find A New Way” – Tune-Yards
Mike D’Antoni and Mike Woodson had their moments of promise from 2008-2014, but their terms were defined by misfortune and mistakes. Phil Jackson and Derek Fisher know they have to “find a new way” this season (cut me some slack – making these song connections gets tough). So as we all know by now, and as Spike Lee will so graciously explain Friday night, they’ve brought the much-discussed triangle offense to New York. Whether it works or not, it will most definitely be fascinating.

Philly’s Folk Rock
“All The Time” – Bahamas
As we also know by now, the Sixers are in no rush to be a good team, or even a decent team. This chill-out, keep calm and carry on anthem suits them perfectly.