One small broadcast decision made by NBC won over more than a few fans in its first game back as an NBA broadcaster.
NBA action returned to NBC on Tuesday for the first time in over two decades, starting with the marquee season-opening matchup between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Houston Rockets at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Okla.
Older fans were treated to a dose of nostalgia early. The iconic “Roundball Rock” theme song was back in play, followed later by a segment involving Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan.
ABSOLUTE CHILLS.
Cue up Roundball Rock … the NBA is BACK on NBC and Peacock. 🏀🤩 pic.twitter.com/bd745aFqMg
— NBA on NBC and Peacock (@NBAonNBC) October 21, 2025
One subtle inclusion in the broadcast also pleased hoops watchers. Several fans were pleasantly surprised to see that NBC showed the game’s in-arena starting lineup introductions as opposed to having more talking head segments before tipoff.
They’re gonna broadcast the starting lineup intros for an NBA game on my television instead of 5 extra minutes of Stephen A Smith and Kendrick Perkins. It's enough to make a grown man cry.
— stephen thompson (@stephenethom) October 21, 2025
NBC showing player intros is a welcome addition to the NBA broadcast 👏
— Joe Pompliano (@JoePompliano) October 22, 2025
From that one change alone, some fans were already wishing NBC could get the rights to broadcast the NBA Finals.
NBC ACTUALLY SHOWS PLAYER INTROS… GIVE NBC THE RIGHTS TO THE NBA FINALS RIGHT NOW @NBA!!!
(Also, loud boos for KD lol) https://t.co/Qzc5p1mRsZ pic.twitter.com/2EMUKthvsp
— Follow: @fsh733 (@fsh733) October 21, 2025
#NBAonNBC is already way better than ESPN. Actually showing intros and the national anthem. Can the Finals be on NBC?
— Alex Battershell (@AlexBattershell) October 21, 2025
Anyone who followed basketball in the 1990s remembers how iconic the Bulls’ starting lineup introductions were, complete with “Sirius” by The Alan Parsons Project playing in the background.
For some, the starting lineup intros may feel like an insignificant addition to a live TV broadcast. But the small change made quite a positive impression on basketball junkies who want nothing more than for broadcasts to focus more on the game and its players rather than on talking heads and advertisements.