During Game 2 of the NBA Finals, viewers noticed a digital twist on tradition as the league and ABC digitally inserted images of the Larry O’Brien Trophy onto the court — a move that sparked a wave of reactions on social media. Many fans were quick to poke fun at this decision, reflecting their hopes for a stronger visual presence of the Finals.
It hasn’t been lost on fans that there were no physical decals during Game 1, or even digital counterparts, so the reaction to the digital trophy was mixed. The NBA appeared to respond to the outcry, alternating the trophy image with the official logo reading “The NBA Finals presented by YouTube TV.” The absence of physical decals since 2020 and the lack of large physical trophy decals since 2009 have left a notable gap that fans have been eager to see filled.
However, the digital solution quickly became a focal point of criticism. Comments flowed in, with fans expressing their disappointment over the implementation. One fan shared, “FANS: The NBA Finals are supposed to be special. You could at least put the logo back on the court.” Another chimed in about the digital trophies being glitchy, noting, “Here are the terribly low-res digital Larry O’Brien Trophies superimposed on the court like you wanted. They’re glitchy and disappear if we cut back to them too quickly.”
This online chatter seemed to catch the attention of NBA commissioner Adam Silver, who weighed in on the situation after Game 1. Candidly, he noted, “I hadn’t thought all that much about it until I saw it on social media. I’m nostalgic, as well, for certain things. For a media-driven culture, whether it’s people watching live or seeing those images on social media, it’s nice when you’re looking back on highlights and they stand out because you see that trophy logo or some other indication that it’s a special event.” His comments signal a recognition of fans’ desires and hint at potential changes as the Finals progress.
The buzz around the trophy displays is not just fluff; it highlights a broader conversation about the significance of visuals in marking special moments in sports. With the series now tied at 1-1 following the Thunder’s commanding 123-107 victory in Game 2, all eyes will be on how the league handles the trophy’s presence as we approach Game 3. Will they go for a more tangible approach, or will digital graphics continue to reign? Time will tell, and fans will be watching closely.
