Fansided

The (almost) definitive ranking of NBA team intro videos

By David Vertsberger

Nov 15, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; A scoreboard view of the court lit with the flag of France before the game between the Atlanta Hawks and the Utah Jazz at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 15, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; A scoreboard view of the court lit with the flag of France before the game between the Atlanta Hawks and the Utah Jazz at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
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5. Los Angeles Clippers

Los Angeles’s presentation opens up with the instrumental to “Still D.R.E.” so that’s one way to jump into the top five. The video itself open dramatically, its rhythmic, slow-paced dunk highlights made even better by the flare effect with each finish. Then it turns into a high-tempo affair, with more highlights mixed in with studio poses. Giving the audience both is always good, and the video comes together superbly.

4. Los Angeles Lakers

The Lakers’ giant bedsheet is still straight out of Hollywood, and still commendable in its creativity and grandeur. Points for being the only team to take advantage of its history and showing timeless clips mixed in with current players.

3. Toronto Raptors

This nailed it right on the head. It shouldn’t surprise anybody that the Raptors went with a Drake track, but that’s partly because it’s a perfect choice. Connects with the fanbase, the city, and provides the right backdrop to the visuals. About those visuals. The editing falls on the thin line between “not enough” and “too much.” There’s nothing overly creative here, with the scribbling effects being used many times before, but the mix of game highlights and green screen stuff was spot-on. Nice work.

2. Sacramento Kings

It’s over. Shut it down. We’re done here. Not really. This was Sacramento’s home opener, so there’s a good chance the Kings aren’t using this open anymore. That’s a darn shame, considering the players saying “we hear you” in response to a bunch of media criticism is both remarkable original and executed well. No fan in the arena wasn’t ready to cheer their lungs out after seeing that, plus in-game clips that bled in Sacramento purple and the iconic voice of Grant Napear.  Points off for ‘We Own It,” though.

1. Cleveland Cavaliers

Um, yes. Yes to all of it. The 360-degree green screen stuff is original and beautiful. The on-court highlights were perfect. The song made me want to actually move my legs for once. The inner glow effect symbolizing Cleveland’s connection between the city, fans and players is cheesy and wonderful. This wins and gets bonus points for phasing out Machine Gun Kelly.

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