"NBA on CBS" Intro vs. "NBA on NBC" Intro Part 1

A head to head comparison of CBS' NBA intro (circa 1989) to NBC's (who immediately succeeded CBS in covering the NBA following the conclusion of the 1990 Finals).

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• NBA
• CBS
• NBC
• Intro
• Roundball
• Rock
• Finals
• 1989
• 2004
• Brent
• Musburger
• Bob
• Costas
• Lakers
• Pistons
• Nets
• Peacock
• Eye

[ls14]

i agree with you, but also both networks did a great job broadcasting NBA games, because now you see it on ABC and it"s horrible. 2 thumbs up for both CBS and NBC. NBA ON ABC stinks.

[milkdud676]

I like how the CBS intro works hand in hand with the narration, which really focused on the game ahead. NBC always used a separate often very creative intros that were really effective in creating a backstory followed by the attention grabbing peacock. Both were great and really reflected their eras, its pathetic that this cannot be duplicated in today's game. NBA coverage no longer has any class...

[retroguy1976]

@ls14 abc/espn is awful

[bakerandbaker1]

The NBA's tinkering with the schedule, causing NBA playoff games to end on weeknights during sweeps, was the main source of these problems. Even then, they had comparable depth at PBP with NBC (Bender, Gumbel, Lundquist and Stockton vs Albert, Enberg and Gumbel) and better analysts (Hubie Brown, Collins, and Elmore vs Fratello and Collins), plus NBC's modern intros and music just seemed a little...overhyped, and rushed. The point: ABC, CBS, NBC all have had the NBA for longer than justified.

[bakerandbaker1]

From '75 to '86 they aired playoff games on tape delay, including all finals games from '79-'81, neglecting to broadcast some conference final games, cutting back due to fear of too much basketball on television at once, as NBC carried NCAA games and local stations produced their own telecasts of pro and college teams. CBS also eliminated regional coverage, opting for a Sunday double header.

[bakerandbaker1]

After three off days due to concerns over low ratings, CBS started a game of the '76 Finals in Pheonix at 10:30 local time to the outrage of clergy, and cut away from the trophy presentation of the clinching game of the '77 Finals to televise the Kemper Open.

[bakerandbaker1]

Innovations like games of HORSE between star NBA players at halftime and the ABA inspired dunk contest at the Allstar game rarely produced star winners and were replaced with human interest shows about players and a basketball fundamentals show called Red Auerbach on Roundball hosted by the Hall of Fame Celtics coach.

[spurs01ful]

A good representation of both intros but too long. Much more excellent than ABC for sucking like balls.