Mike Tirico and Michael Jordan
Screenshot
NBC was widely praised for its presentation of the NBA’s opening night as the network returned to broadcasting games for the first time in decades.
After months of anticipation following a tumultuous NBA media rights negotiation process, the NBA finally returned to NBC on Tuesday night. The first game of the season was between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Houston Rockets; and that game was followed up by the Los Angeles Lakers and the Golden State Warriors.
Hours before the game, the stage was set with a video encapsulating what the network would be bringing to the table: a hint of nostalgia while still celebrating the star’s of today’s game.
The videos starts with today’s stars being asked what memories come to mind when they hear “the NBA on NBC.” Many of them simply laughed and explained that they weren’t even born when NBC carried games. Then, some of the game’s past greats — including Michael Jordan, Patrick Ewing, and Reggie Miller — talked about “genuine love for the game,” and not being concerned with petty debates over which era was the greatest. Also included were some all-time greats at the tail end of their careers: LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Steph Curry.
As noted by others who watched the pre-game festivities, NBC’s presentation helped make the game feel like a must-see event. This included detailed analysis without the need to fire off hot takes or push narratives, showing the introductions of the teams’ starting lineups, and a dramatic opening monologue.
TNT was entertaining, but different. Its nucleus was the Inside crew and their banter. The on-court product always felt secondary.
Dating back to the 90s, NBC *always* prioritizes what you're about to see…not what we're going to be talking about after.
Maria's pre-recorded… https://t.co/B96PktXXXe
— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) October 22, 2025
“genuine love for the game” being talked about during pregame instead of whether a player is a superstar or where a superstar should be traded, what is this strange new world
— Caitlin Cooper (@C2_Cooper) October 21, 2025
So far the NBA on NBC presentation is about 98,000x better.
Give me a good looking score bug and we are COOKING
— Tyler Rucker (@tyler_rucker) October 21, 2025
Also, think this NBC broadcast has been awesome. Production team has been right on top of what’s been happening all night. Think Crawford, Miller and Tirico have had good chemistry (Crawford particularly has been a standout). Really happy to have NBC in the mix here.
— Sam Vecenie (@Sam_Vecenie) October 22, 2025
NBC continued that trend at halftime with the debut of MJ: Insight to Excellence — a segment that has Jordan discussing today’s game and his view on it. Instead of proclaiming that today’s players are entitled and that his era was much more competitive, Jordan spoke of his “obligation to pay it forward” and pass on his love for the sport.
“We have an obligation to pay it forward. That’s part of what this is all about.”
Watch Michael Jordan’s first conversation with Mike Tirico in the first edition of MJ: Insights To Excellence. pic.twitter.com/7tfzGm6SpM
— NBA on NBC and Peacock (@NBAonNBC) October 22, 2025
By the end of the night, it seemed social media had reached a consensus that NBC’s offerings were a much-needed improvement over ESPN’s.
The NBA on NBC broadcast IS SUCH A BREATH OF FRESH AIR.
Wow.
Music and nostalgia aside, Tirico makes everything feel bigger and more professional.
Melo is gonna be the best studio analyst in the game. Vince and TMac are great.
No whining. Fresh. Crisp. The NBA needed this.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) October 22, 2025
How are we ever supposed to go back to listening to Stephan A Smith's bullshit on ESPN coverage after a 10/10 perfect start to the season by NBC
— Hoops Reference (@HoopsReference) October 22, 2025
The NBA absolutely made the right decision moving on from Turner and going to NBC. This is honestly the best the NBA has been presented in DECADES.
— Raheem Palmer (@iamrahstradamus) October 22, 2025
NBC’s entire presentation and romanization of the game is already amazing day 1 man omg. The feeling is really restored…
until I have to watch Stephen A Smith call LeBron a coward on live TV tomorrow night
— Isaac Gutierrez (@byisaacg) October 21, 2025
—