The NBA has been around for quite some time now, and there’s no doubt that the league has endured a variety of things throughout its history. As of this year, the league has now been in existence for 75 years.
To commemorate the 75th anniversary of the NBA, the league filmed a commercial titled NBA Lane, with many former legends and current players featuring as part of the cast to celebrate the league’s rich history. Two notable absences were Stephen Curry and Michael Jordan, but it’s clear that Michael B. Jordan starring in the commercial was a nod to the GOAT of basketball.
A lot of NBA players and fans reacted to the video, with many people praising how well done it was. There were certainly people who questioned the absence of certain legends, though there certainly was a good number of all-time players present in the video.
https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1446145737579024386
NBA Lane is 🔥🔥!! Stoked to be part of this amazing neighborhood. The @NBA is turning 75! Wow! #NBA75 https://t.co/JKP3gsHGnm
— Manu Ginobili (@manuginobili) October 7, 2021
Bigger than basketball ❤️🏀🙏🏾 #NBA75 https://t.co/QheeZj10uz
— Chris Paul (@CP3) October 7, 2021
#NBA75 🕺🏽🛸💕 https://t.co/RKInPWLGZa
— Melo (@MELOD1P) October 7, 2021
Great job @NBA 🏀💪🏽 The memories, the moments, the lifetime affect we all left on so many generations of people. Proud to be apart of the #NBA organization. #LivingLegends 🙏🏾 #TheGlove 🧤@GaryPayton_20 https://t.co/6fKT1144Mp
— GARY PAYTON (@GaryPayton) October 7, 2021
#NBA75 @nba #whynot https://t.co/ZzNeRvaLkH
— Russell Westbrook (@russwest44) October 7, 2021
75 years! Honored to have played a part. @NBA #NBA75 pic.twitter.com/o9ntYHkrpn
— Carmelo Anthony (@carmeloanthony) October 7, 2021
#NBA75@nba https://t.co/1aAatLnHB8
— Jayson Tatum (@jaytatum0) October 7, 2021
https://twitter.com/KDTrey5/status/1446192409570910217
75 Years of hoop..🏀🙏🏽❄️💯@nba pic.twitter.com/vtwLVrN9id
— Trae Young (@TheTraeYoung) October 7, 2021
👋🏾👑. Welcome to the Greatest Neighborhood in the World!!! #NBA75 https://t.co/TNiaNAM36V
— LeBron James (@KingJames) October 7, 2021
Great to be a part of #NBA75 and teach @swish41 the secrets of the skyhook @nba @Lakers https://t.co/uqUsPUx9oD
— Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (@kaj33) October 7, 2021
There is no question that for the most part, the “NBA Lane” was an absolute success with fans and players alike. It was a great way to recap the history of the game, with many prominent faces featured that made the game what we know today. Basketball has gone through a lot of transformations, but the essence of basketball has always stayed the same. The NBA as a league certainly brings joy to many faces, and hopefully, it remains that way.
Another thing that the NBA will eventually release is their all-time top 75 players list, which will happen at some point in October. Those lists always cause controversy, and former player Brian Scalabrine said that “current players are going to be mad”.
As of now though, fans can enjoy the amazing commercial for themselves. Hopefully “NBA Lane” inspires more people to watch the game of basketball that we all love and enjoy.
