The Best NBA Commercials of All Time

The best NBA commercials of all time are a collection of funny, heartwarming, and feel-good advertisements. From Nike to Gatorade, these are the best of the best.

The best NBA commercials of all time: a definitive ranking

From classic Nike commercials featuring Michael Jordan to more recent ads by Sprite and Gatorade, the NBA has spawned some of the most memorable commercials in history. In honor of March Madness we’ve compiled a definitive ranking of the best NBA commercials of all time.

10. Michael Jordan and Larry Bird play H-O-R-S-E (1993)
9. Kobe Bryant calls out Lebron James in Nike ad (2013)
8. Blake Griffin dunks over a car (2011)
7. Gatorade “Reignman” commercial (1991)
6. Sprite “Obey Your Thirst” campaign featuring Kobe Bryant Lebron James Carmelo Anthony and Dwight Howard (2003)
5. McDonald’s “The Dream Team” commercial (1992)
4. Nike “Frozen Moment” commercial featuring Lebron James and Kevin Durant (2011)
3. Nike “What Are You Doing?” commercials featuring Michael Jordan Scottie Pippen Charles Barkley and around two dozen other NBA Stars (1998)
2. ESPN “This is SportsCenter” commercials (1995-present)
1. Nike “Be Like Mike” Gatorade commercial (1991)

The 10 best NBA commercials of all time

There’s no denying that professional basketball players are some of the most popular athletes in the world. They’re bigger than life both on and off the court and their celebrity status is only amplified by the intense competition and drama of the NBA.

But what about when they’re not playing basketball? What do they do with all of that free time and energy? Many of them choose to pursue other interests, like acting, music, or modeling. And some of them choose to endorse products, just like any other celebrity.

But not all endorsements are created equal. Some are better than others, either because they’re funnier, more creative, or more relatable. And some are just plain weird. Here are ten of the best NBA commercial endorsements of all time:

1. Michael Jordan for Gatorade – “Be Like Mike” (1991)
2. Kobe Bryant for Turkish Airlines – “Little Stories” (2013)
3. Lebron James for Sprite – “Cherry Coke & Jumper Cables” (2003)
4. Shaquille O’Neal for Icy Hot – “ShaqAttack!” (2000)
5. Larry Bird for McDonald’s – “Nothing but Net” (1992)
6. Magic Johnson for Converse – “Fast Break” (1987)
7. Dirk Nowitzki for Nike – “The New Mr. Nice Guy” (2009)
8. Charles Barkley for T-Mobile – “Can You Hear Me Now? Good!” (2002)
9. Dwyane Wade for Gatorade – “FLOTUS Mix” (2016)
10. Stephen Curry for Under Armour – “Rule Yourself” (2015)

The best NBA commercials of all time: Top 10

For sponsors, the NBA is a gold mine. The games are appointment television for millions of people around the world, and the athletes are some of the most bankable celebrities on the planet.

It’s no surprise, then, that companies have been lining up to create commercials featuring NBA players for decades. And over the years, some of these ads have become legend.

To help get you hyped for the upcoming NBA season we’ve compiled a list of the 10 best commercials starring NBA players of all time.

The best NBA commercials of all time: A countdown

When it comes to marketing and advertisements, the NBA is in a league of its own. In a world full of traditional commercials with tired marketing schemes, the NBA has found a way to stand out from the rest by being creative, innovative, and most importantly, fun.

So without further ado, here are the best NBA commercials of all time:

10. Nike “The Dream” (1999)
9. Sprite “Obey Your Thirst” (1994)
8. T-Mobile “Unlimited Celtics” (2016)
7. Gatorade “Be Like Mike” (1991)
6. McDonald’s “The Showdown” (1993)
5. Kia “All Gas No Brakes” (2017)
4. Adidas “Crazy 8″ (2013)
3. Nike “Frozen Moments” (1997)
2. Jordan Brand “Wings” (2011)
1. Nike “Basketball Never Stops” (2012)

The best NBA commercials: 10 that will make you laugh

When it comes to iconic NBA commercials, there are a few that definitely stand out. From Michael Jordan to Shaquille O’Neal, these 10 commercials feature some of the greatest basketball players of all time and will definitely make you laugh.

1. Michael Jordan and Larry Bird – McDonald’s “The Showdown” (1993)

In this classic commercial, Michael Jordan and Larry Bird face off in a game of H-O-R-S-E with a Big Mac as the prize. The two legends trash talk throughout the commercial, with Jordan ultimately coming out on top.

2. Shaquille O’Neal – IcyHot “Strap” (2002)

In this commercial, Shaq is in pain after overworking his back during a game of pickup basketball He tries to put on an IcyHot back patch but ends up ripping his shirt off instead. He then proceeds to roll around on the ground in pain as people try to help him. It’s both hilarious and relatable.

3. Steph Curry – Under Armour “Rule Yourself” (2015)

In this commercial, we see Curry working hard in the gym as he prepares for the upcoming season He is laser-focused on his goal of becoming the best player in the NBA, and we see him going through various drills and scrimmages. The commercial ends with Curry saying, “I will be successful because I am determined, hardworking and dedicated…and because I rule myself.” This is a great motivator for anyone who is trying to achieve their goals.

4. Lebron James – Sprite “Shut Up and Jam” (2003)

In this Sprite commercial from 2003, we see Lebron James playing streetball against some tough competition. After losing the game, one of his opponents says, “You can’t dunk on me, LeBron! You ain’t got no boat!” LeBron then proceeds to dunk the ball so hard that it causes a boat to flip over in the water nearby. It’s one of those commercials that makes you want to watch it over and over again.

5. Magic Johnson – Taco Bell “WhatLevelAreYouOn?” (2009)

In this funny Taco Bell commercial from 2009, we see Magic Johnson playing a video game with some kids. He keeps trying to level up but keeps getting stuck at level 8 while the kids move on to higher levels. Eventually, he gives up and goes to get a taco from Taco Bell instead. It’s a clever way to promote their $5 value menu items.

6= Kobe Bryant – McDonald’s “Lobster Rollerskates” (2002)

In this classic McDonald’s commercial from 2002, we see Kobe Bryant playing roller hockey with some kids at McDonald’s court side cafe.. The kids are having trouble keeping up with Kobe so he Challenge them to an impromptu game of roller hockey using lobster rollerskates.. Of course, he ends up winning but not before making sure that everyone had a good time.. One of the all-time great NBA commercials..
7= Dwyane Wade – T-Mobile “Kobe or Wade? presents like “The Decision 3”

In this hilarious T-Mobile commercial from 2016 , Dwyane Wade is trying to decide whether or not he should retire from basketball now that Kobe Bryant has retired.. He goes through all of the pros and cons but ultimately decides that he isn’t ready to retire just yet.. It was a clever way for T-Mobile to piggyback off of LeBron James decision 3 years earlier . Great stuff .
8= Charles Barkley – Nike “I Am Not A Role Model”

In this Nike commercial from 1993 , Charles Barkley famously says , ” I am not a role model .. ” He then goes on say that parents should be role models for their children and not celebrities like himself .. It was a bold statement at the time but one that resonated with many people .. Some 25 years later , it’s still one o fthe most popular Nike commercials ever made ..
9= Scottie Pippen – Gatorade “Be Like Mike”

In this classic Gatorade commercial from 1991 , we see Scottie Pippen saying , ” Be like Mike .. ” as he imitates various MJ moves on the court .. It’s one of those commercials that gets stuck in your head and leaves you wanting more MJ .. Thankfully , there are plenty other great Michael Jordan commercials out there . 10 = Allen Iverson – Reebok ” Practice

Last but not least , we have Allen Iverson’s classic Reebok commercial from 2002 where he talks about practice . AI was known for his rebel

The best NBA commercials: 10 that will make you cry

The best NBA commercials: 10 that will make you cry
No. 1 — Budweiser, ” Wayne Gretzky talking about his dad
Budweiser’s “Lucky 7” spot is the greatest commercial in NBA history It features the greatest player of all time, Wayne Gretzky talking about his late father, Walter.
“He never missed one of my games,” Gretzky says in the commercial. “And I never heard him say a bad word about anybody.”
The commercial then shows highlights of Gretzky’s career with his dad watching from the stands.
It’s an incredibly moving spot, and it is made even more so by the fact that it is based on a true story
No. 2 — Nike, “Come out to play”
This classic Nike commercial features some of the biggest stars in the NBA at the time, including Michael Jordan Charles Barkley Patrick Ewing and David Robinson
The spot opens with kids playing Street Basketball and getting into scuffles with each other. But when they see the NBA Stars driving by in a limo, they all stop what they’re doing and watch in awe.
The ad ends with Barkley famously saying, “I am not a role model.”
It’s a great commercial because it features some of the biggest stars in the game at the time and because it has a powerful message about being careful who you look up to.
No. 3 — Gatorade, “Michael Jordan & Larry Bird Play H-O-R-S-E”
This classic Gatorade commercial features two of the greatest players of all time playing H-O-R-S-E.
It’s great because it’s just two legends having some fun and because it shows how competitive they were even when they were just messing around.
No. 4 — McDonald’s, “Michael Jordan & Larry Bird Play H-O-R-S-E”
This McDonald’s commercial is similar to the Gatorade spot in that it features Jordan and Bird playing H-O-R.-S.-E., but it’s different in that it also features Carl Lewis and Wayman Tisdale.
The four legends re Playing for McDonald’s All American game MVP honors. It’s a great commercial because it not only features two of the greatest players of all time but also two other legends in their own right . . . plus Wayman Tisdale!

The best NBA commercials of all time: A top 10 list

BA commercial during the 2000s often featured famous athletes and celebrities. In more recent years the ads have focused on promoting the league itself and its players. Either way, these commercials are meant to get you pumped for the NBA season

Here are our top 10 NBA commercials of all time:

10) Shaq and Kobe for Sprite – “I Like Them Both” (2003)
9) Michael Jordan and Spike Lee for Hanes – “Tag Team” (1992)
8) Tracy McGrady for Adidas – “Ladies and Gentlemen” (2003)
7) Larry Bird for Converse – “Bird vs. Doctor J” (1979)
6) Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan for McDonald’s – “The Showdown” (1992)
5) Charles Barkley for Nike – “I Am Not a Role Model” (1993)
4) Allen Iverson for Reebok – “Rules” (2002)
3) Lebron James for Sprite – “LeBron Draft Day Commercial” (2003)
2) Dirk Nowitzki for Nike – “Born Ready” (2009)
1 Kobe Bryant for Turkish Airlines – “The Turkish Way” (2013 )

The best NBA commercials: 10 that will make you think

The NBA has always been a marketing juggernaut, and their commercials are some of the best in all of sports. From hilarious spoofs to heartwarming stories, the NBA has a commercial for everything. Here are 10 of the best NBA commercials of all time.

10. “I Can Do All Things” – Kobe Bryant (2002)
9. “Dreams” – Dwyane Wade (2006)
8. “Witness” – LeBron James (2007)
7. “Rise Up” – Damian Lillard (2013)
6. “Journey to Madness” – Klay Thompson and Draymond Green (2016)
5. “This Is Why We Play” – Kevin Durant (2017)
4. “0 Gravity” – Derrick Rose (2012)
3. “All In For Chicago” – Derrick Rose Joakim Noah, Taj Gibson, Pau Gasol and Jimmy Butler (2015)
2. “Basketball Never Stops” – Kobe Bryant Kevin Durant LeBron James and other NBA stars (2012)
1. “locker room Talk” – Shaquille O’Neal and Charles Barkley (2016)

The best NBA commercials of all time: A top 10 countdown

The National Basketball Association is one of the most popular sports leagues in the world, and it’s also one of the most competitive when it comes to marketing and advertising. Over the years, NBA teams and players have starred in some truly iconic commercials, helping to sell products ranging from sneakers to fast food.

In honor of the league’s anniversary, we’re counting down the 10 best NBA commercials of all time. These ads are not only creative and memorable, but they also perfectly capture the spirit of the NBA. From Michael Jordan’s classic shoe commercial to Shaquille O’Neal’s hilarious Kazaam promo, these are the 10 best NBA commercials of all time.

The best NBA commercials of all time: The ultimate list

When it comes to commercials, the NBA definitely knows how to deliver. From funny to heartwarming, the best NBA commercials of all time have it all.

Whether you’re a diehard Basketball Fan or just a casual observer, these commercials are sure to put a smile on your face. So, without further ado, here is our ultimate list of the best NBA commercials of all time.