Game 1 of the NBA Finals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Paccers took place on Thursday night at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Okla., but the game fell short in one area, according to many fans.
Fans were complaining via social media that the NBA Finals lacked the grand feeling it has had in the past. They noted the lack of the NBA Finals logo patch on jerseys, the lack of the Finals logo and Larry O’Brien Trophy on the court, and how the telecast did not even show the national anthem or pregame introductions.
It’s the NBA Finals and the NBA didn’t even show the National Anthem, Pre-Game intros, no logo on court or jerseys. These are little things but they’re so important for the experience.
— The Hood Therapist (@OhhMar24) June 6, 2025
Everything about this NBA Finals presentation looks like a regular season game.
— Chris Vannini (@ChrisVannini) June 6, 2025
Starting lineups on a quick graphic. No trophy or FINALS on the court. No patches on the jerseys. Just a tiny logo on the scorebug. It used to be better.
In the last ten years, the NBA and ESPN have:
— Caleb (@OKCowboysBraves) June 6, 2025
– Taken away the Larry O’Brien trophy away from the court
– Taken away the Finals logo from the court
– Put ads everywhere on the court
– Fired Mark Jackson and Jeff Van Gundy
– Got rid of TNT
What a shame
Fans also noted that by contrast, the league has hyped up the in-season tournament with special court designs, but fails to do the same for the Finals.
So we can do this for 30 teams for a random tournament in November nobody asked for…
— Collin Helwig (@collinhelwig) June 6, 2025
But can’t get a “Finals” or Larry O’Brien logo anywhere on the court for the most important 4-7 games of the season? pic.twitter.com/SNiSEsDCGF
What’s going on? The league has sponsor patches on jerseys and on the court, and they have commercials they need to play. It seems as if they have sacrificed some of the feel of what makes the Finals special in order to make money. Fans think there needs to be more balance.
