There was nothing like the NBA in the 90′s and we will probably never see anything like it again. The NBA was on NBC with that great theme song that we all know and loved. Team feuds were so exciting you wouldn’t miss a game; Knicks Bulls, Bulls Pistons, Knicks Heat, Lakers Kings, and Knicks Pacers. I don’t know if the talent was actually better or the players were just marketed in a more effective way, but if you can name a more exciting group of players then David Robinson, Reggie Miller, Patrick Ewing, John Starks, Alonzo Mourning, Charles Barkey, Penny Hardaway, Grant Hill, Michael and Scotty, Dennis Rodman, Malone and Stockton, LJ, Shaq, Hakeem, Drexler and the rest. But what I thought was most impressive were some of the ad campaigns that were created during this time period. Below are 3 of my favorites.
Larry Johnson’s Grandmama Chracter promoting the converse sneakers. The sneakers were kinda wack but the ad campaign was one of the most popular during the 90′s. Sneaker Marketing with NBA players blew up during the 90′s and LJ was one of the few that stepped out of the box and took on a new persona.
Converse: Larry Johnson’s Grandmama
There was very few sneaker ad campaigns that were more effective in history then Lil Penny promoting the Air Pennys. It helped that the sneakers were awesome but the character (voice played by Chris Rock) was funny and always put himself in new and humorous situations. He did ads with Gheorghe Muresan, Ken Griffey Jr., and SportsCenter commercials to name a few. Lil Penny Ads are still talked about today and I am sure the world would love to see his return. Sucks that Penny’s career went down the tubes so Lil Penny had to go with him.
Nike: Anfernee Hardaway’s Lil Penny
Last, but certainly not least were the McDonalds ads with Michael Jordan and Larry Bird – Nothing but Net. When it comes to advertising, anything that Michael Jordan touches usually turns to gold, but this unusual duo of Bird and Jordan put together in an ad created a great campaign that people loved and helped to promote their Big Mac Burger.
McDonald: Michael Jordan and Larry Bird Nothing But Net
