1991: NBA on NBC Opening NBA Finals, Game 5

[@Highguyclassics]

One of the rawest introductions I’ve ever heard. Bob is a legend

[@bradleyboyer9979]

I loved Bob until he got Trump Derangement Syndrome.

[@HennesseeVol]

They got the contract back. Hopefully Bob is BACK.

[@Lindsyll]

crockets theme!

[@ericstandiford2637]

I so miss the NBA on NBC and the theme song that went along with it! it used to get me so hyped for games specially with all the classic teams Knicks, Bulls, Celtics, Lakers, Pistons and so many others! Great memories!!! God I wish it was still like it but I know it can't be. I'm just so glad that I saw all this first hand live growing up.

[@alaeldinabdelbaki2487]

I could like this comment like 1000 times lol

[@danalong1237]

The 1991 NBA Finals: the end of the Lakers' Showtime dynasty and the birth of the Bulls' dynasty!

[@danalong1237]

2019 NBA Finals: End of Warriors dynasty and the Raptors go from the cast of “You Can’t Do That On Television” to NBA Champions!

[@Jeff_Pryce]

@@danalong1237 2020 NBA Finals: End of the Raptors, and the Lakers reclaim their place on top of the world as NBA champions 🥳

[@Jeff_Pryce]

Correction: the Lakers’s Showtime dynasty ended in 1989 after they were swept 4-0 by the Detroit Pistons in the Finals. Get your history right.

[@bobbyjohnson9409]

@@Jeff_Prycethe fact that people like this persons post show how many people don’t know anything. I actually always thought bulls fans are the least intelligent debaters in basketball history for the fact that most of them admit that they haven’t watched since Michael left and Nba on nbc is their first memory of basketball which means nba on nbc started in 1991 and Jordan left in 1998 so they only watched when Jordan played because it was the popular thing to do

[@zap_sigma1]

​@@danalong1237The Dubs won another chip in 2022. So no.

[@twicethechamps]

How ironic that Jerry Sloan is mentioned as one of the Bulls' former players for whom the 1991 title would be for, and then by the end of the decade he loses two titles to the Bulls as the Jazz head coach.

[@rumarspencer7302]

But as least the Jazz has given the Jordan Bulls their lowest regular season percentage vs one team.

[@TheMalMeninga]

Crockett's Theme and Roundball Rock - what a combination!

[@Campylax5]

🔥

[@jacobrichardson1952]

I'm hearing Crockett's Theme from Miami Vice one of my favorite songs I'm getting the chills.

[@PeeleeAdventures]

OMG...NBC really knew how to get you hyped for a game! Starting at 1:33 you knew the theme was going to hit and right at 1:37 you got pumped! So much nostalgia...I just now got the chills hearing that theme that lasted throughout the 90s haha

[@DeathBringer769]

Gets me nostalgic every time I hear it.

[@NotaPizzaGRL]

Sometimes I wish they could do storytelling like this again. Now you just get hot takes over and over again. I like the modern game but it's weird that they've got HD and nice camera angles, good music, but they leave the story to the media.

[@rupertgordonii6623]

@@NotaPizzaGRL yep, that element is sorely missing

[@jameslannon9788]

When Basketball was king...Marv, Czar, NBA on NBC, Costas, Steve JONES, Ahmad, needs to return to NBC.

[@rumarspencer7302]

Marv though is retired, Steve Jones is deceased.

[@jameslannon9788]

@@rumarspencer7302 obviosly you cant get the same crew but NBA on NBC was the best basketball coverage we have had. ABC just doesnt do it the way that excited people back then. Plus, the basketball was better then it is today so that of course helped.

[@rumarspencer7302]

@jameslannon9788 ABC coverage is no where near as good as NBA on NBC was, no comparison.

[@skutms0481]

man do I miss these days, the best way to bring in the NBA and not the way ABC and ESPN does today. #IwantmyNBAonNBC

[@sillygoose635]

That's just not true.

[@tnawcwvictoria]

1990-1991 the season in which the NBA ROCKED NBC Roundball Rock was born and it was also the end of both the Bad Boys and the Showtime Lakers Michael Jordan defeating Magic Johnson was the REAL Passing of the Torch God Bless the NBA on NBC, God Bless the GOAT Michael Jordan, God Bless Magic Johnson and God Bless You John Tesh for makin' Roundball Rock THE Greatest Sports Theme in History

[@Jeff_Pryce]

Correction: the Lakers’s Showtime dynasty ended in 1989 after they were swept 4-0 by the Detroit Pistons in the Finals. By 1991, Kareem had been retired and Pat Riley left to coach the Knicks.

[@dreamcage1801]

NBA is gonna be back on NBC in 2 years. Watch! It’ll be the happiest day in our lives ever.

[@FastballOneNineOne]

Jerry Sloan, Norm van Lier, and Chet Walker probably couldn't have cared less about who won this series, but goddamn it makes for a good narrative.

[@danalong1237]

John Tesh's "Roundball Rock:" BEST NBA THEME SONG EVER!!!!!!!!

[@cbod14]

I'm torn between The NBA on CBS & NBA on NBC. I love both but CBS changed their theme a little so NBC gets a slight edge.

[@mcg1111]

This still gets me hyped!!!

[@maxpatana9157]

Bob Costas the Man.

[@mrmartywaring]

These intros got you ready for the game

[@charismatic9904]

The theme at the start is called Crocketts theme. Its from miami vice lol

[@herbiep7165]

This was the first finals clinching game televised on NBC. The network made a nice shoutout to this intro in its final title clinching game on the network in 2002 when it aired the same extended intro from that year and Costas opened next to the O’Brien trophy (“emblematic” of the championship).

[@charger9105]

I despised those Bulls teams, but this intro is as good as it gets.

[@MrDkirksey23]

Nbc was 50 years ahead of the game

[@chadbaughman401]

NBA on NBC kicked ass

[@surlybear75]

Dang croketts themme

[@bradjames891]

Snapper Jones, the best NBA analyst in history :)

[@BurlesqueBox]

RIP Snapper Jones

[@northernMarc]

that beat drop tho....

[@sillygoose635]

"No team has ever overcome a 3-1 deficit in an NBA finals." ...until Cleveland.

[@JimmyJam1125]

Costas wrote all of it...

[@davanmani556]

Jimmy JAM only he can write something like this. He was also Bulls announcer for one year. This to me was his best performance. I remember being pumped when saw and heard this.

[@jacobrichardson1952]

And that's why I can't hate on Bob Costas.

[@The_Husband_of_Jane_Lane]

The Chicago Bulls went on to win their first world championship in their 24 year history. The Bulls had came a long way.

[@lousanto1054]

Crazy they were only 24 years old back than.. They were young! Heck now, Tampa is 44 years old already, with two Super Bowls, and the Heat are 32 years old with 3 championships. I'm getting old..

[@MrSilas-xo9np]

I used to love watching this and I’m not a sports fan at all. That intro let you know it’s game time!!!!

[@ILoveOldTWC]

Roundrock Ball, I remember hearing this over and over again that year, their first year of NBA coverage.

[@chadbaughman1338]

I was only 2 years old when bulls dynasty has begun but I was too young to remember the 1st 3 peat but the NBA on NBC was #IwantmyNBAonNBC back NBA on NBC rules

[@ericm242910]

"No team has ever overcome a 3-1 defecit in the history of the NBA Finals"....UNTIL LAST SEASON, THE 2016 NBA FINALS!!

[@danalong1237]

When, of coarse, the Cleveland Cavaliers won their first NBA title in franchise history and LeBron James won his second!

[@ericm242910]

That was actually LeBron's third.

[@yusufabdullah5008]

+Eric Victor Maltbia And next month will be his fourth

[@ericm242910]

nope. I knew that the Warriors would sweep. Just to be clear, this was posted before Game 4 of th 2017 NBA Finals, which the Warriors will win. Cavaliers aren't winning.

[@ericm242910]

Well it went 5. Doesn't make much of a difference though. There was no way the Cavs were gonna beat this much improved Warriors team.

[@gregoryvschmidt]

I lived in Chicago from 1971 to 1973. Was a semi regular at the old Chicago stadium when not many were despite the Bulls being one of the best teams in the NBA. Sad the lost members of those teams, especially how Jerry Sloan suffered and died

[@carlosvillanueva2265]

When the Lakers were the Lakers, not the circus that it is today

[@redmanr5522]

who's watching this in 2024? I know I am, on the 33rd anniversary. Wed 6/12/1991 history was made, Wed 6/12/2024, 33 years passed.

[@kevsmith6783]

I knew I loved the Bulls but this intro tho...

[@henrybetancourt7329]

The 1991 NBA Finals: the end of the Lakers' Showtime dynasty and the start of the Bulls' dynasty! the greatest basketball player of all time MICHAEL JORDAN #Bulls #HisAirness #TheLastDance

[@vikfan4life]

This was my favorite Bulls Championship team

[@vpking77]

Albert and Fratello. The absolute best!

[@gaylordstriver9813]

MIAMI VICE

[@The_Husband_of_Jane_Lane]

Yep. Interestingly, Miami Vice originally aired on NBC from 1984-89.

[@rockbama]

1:30 mark in this video...takes me back to my childhood

[@connorakers668]

Bob Costas: No team has ever overcome a 3-1 deficit in the NBA finals 6 year old Lebron: Hold my Apple Juice

[@JimmySand9]

All I can think watching this is: could you imagine watching this intro, nothing short of a prelude to the Bulls' coronation, if the Lakers had managed to come back and win 3 straight. That on top of all of the implications that would have on NBA history, most notable being an additional title for Magic before his premature retirement. Then again, the mere idea of these Bulls choking that badly seems inconceivable, so why even bother bringing it up?

[@andreforde1905]

Imagine the 91 bulls lost 1 game all playoffs ..the then record bulls of 96 72-10 team lost 3 games ..levels to this bulls team of 91...sweeping the bad boy pistons in ECF. Damnnnn...this bulls team was relentless...dat first 3 peat was sweet...

[@oeao2841]

Where’s the closing credits video montage for this series? I can’t find them anywhere

[@monkbop8044]

NBA on TNT's theme is horrible. So bland. NBA theme gets me hyped

[@mythicone9583]

1:29 Blare dem horns!!! On REPEAT.

[@ReveiwKing999]

And whaddya know...tonight did turn out to be the night, after all.

[@tytratar2114]

I miss the nba on nbc! There were no van Gundy’s!

[@carlzhang8552]

feel weird to see Pat Riley being an analyst while showtime lakers were playing.

[@chrispomaylivewithcdpsport5517]

Pistons ended showtime dynasty not the Bulls!

[@nolang1]

Does anyone know what the track at the beginning of this is?

[@gaylordstriver9813]

"Crockett's theme" from Miami Vice.

[@nolang1]

thank you so much! what a pimpin song

[@tomace4898]

Nobody verbally fellated Michael Jordan better than Bob Costas.

[@rumarspencer7302]

No one he respects more.

[@Tor109]

Can you imagine Lebron beating a team in the finals without 2 key starters. 😂😂😂

[@dennisfodor7010]

What's the title of the music playing ?

[@thetruther9521]

how was Chicago in the western conference in the 70s if they are an Eastern City ?

[@faisalamalo3695]

They were in the West. So was Milwaukee. San Antonio was in the East after the ABA-NBA merger in 1976.

[@paulsonj72]

Chicago and Milwaukee moved to the east in 1980 when Dallas joined the league. San Antonio and Houston also moved to the west in 1980.

[@EJayyDreadHead]

Classic

[@razkable]

I think the bulls should have lost so they could win the first in Chicago...but you would think la would try to win at home so the fans didn't have to see the road team win in la again lol in 83 and 89....

[@eclectica1]

Really? Damn, you stupid.

[@Paulbuslon]

Cleveland did it this year go LBJ.

[@Iliketoboard]

Marv's hair is sooooo bad!

[@PeediSigel]

He's got that nacho hair

[@DeathBringer769]

You know the expression "he's got a face for radio?" Well, he's got the hair for it, lol.

[@JimmyJam1125]

I FLYBFJ ...dont matter. Greatest of all time. His 1990s work maybe greatest work any Sports announcer ever. There will never be another Marv Albert

[@alleni6475]

This is the most overrated championship in NBA history - no Kareem, Magic’s last full season, Worthy and Scott out for two games, a rookie Vlade Divac at center, etc. MJ always had a lot of help and luck on the other side.

[@rumarspencer7302]

No Michael Cooper either