Dez 22, 2020
Leonardo RissoFOTO: Getty Images
Christmas is one of the most important events of the year in the United States and the NBA could not put that holiday aside. Hosting Christmas games since 1947, the league takes the opportunity to sell commemorative products and attract even more spectators to the games, whether in the arenas or on television. This day of the year has a characteristic that makes this exposure possible, since most people in the world are at home and, probably, with their television sets tuned in.
According to a 2015 study by Repucom, Christmas games have twice as many viewers when compared to regular season games and 16% of fans post about it while watching. After all, it is better to watch the games than to listen to the inconvenient in-laws jokes.
And in order to make that day even more special, the NBA creates a series of iconic commercials jointly with broadcasters. Click over the images and let’s see some of the best ones that have aired:
JINGLE HOOPS
To start off the list, one of the most complex commercials to create that went viral. In it, Steve Nash, James Harden, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Derrick Rose and, finally, LeBron James, shoot the balls with bells and in harmony to form the song "Jingle Bells" by Frank Sinatra, a Christmas classic.
LIGHTS UP
With more than 40 thousand views on YouTube, this commercial gave life to the classic lights that are in the houses, transforming them into silhouettes of the players who later faced each other on Christmas Day.
MOST DUNKTASTIC TIME
Putting together the words “dunk” and “fantastic”, the NBA formed a real choir debuting Blake Griffin on the piano and other players like Carmelo Anthony and D Wade singing a kind of Christmas parody full of expressions from the basketball world.
BALLIN’ IN THE CHRISTMAS WONDERLAND
In a video showered with graphic effects, it seems that the players were in the “enchanted world of Christmas”. This 2019 commercial also went viral when it announced the 5 games of the last edition.
NICK YOUNG WISH
In one of the videos on the “On Santa’s Lap” series, Nick Young made some modest Christmas requests for Santa Claus: make at least 48 points in the game against the Cavs, a clean stump at LeBron and go to space. The gift turned out to be a little simpler.
FREE AGENT SANTA
Tired of watching LeBron, Curry, Harden and other sideline players, the properly titled Christmas MVP announces at a conference that he will become a free agent. Full of real testimonials from league players and videos of Noel training, this commercial has become a true icon.
#NOGIFTS
Introducing the new special Christmas shirts, this commercial shows the players training alone and saying the expression “no gifts”, that is, you have to earn on the court to win, without gifts or “easy balls” on the game day.
ONE WISH
In addition to presenting the Christmas duels, this commercial starts with the players saying that they were “good boys”, that they evolved their most notable characteristics and, finally, wishing to win one of their teams' NBA Christmas edition shirts.
The commercials greatly raise expectations for the games and with the starting of 2020-21 NBA season, be sure to follow on the 25th:
New Orleans Pelicans X Miami Heat
Golden State Warriors X Milwaukee Bucks
Brooklyn Nets X Boston Celtics
Dallas Mavericks X Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Clippers X Denver Nuggets
You can follow all games live via ESPN and the NBA League Pass.
