Greatest theme song ever!!!💯💯💯

These intros were amazing- the music, the editing, and the narration by Musberger always set the stage so beautifully. And it didn’t hurt that the NBA product was at its best in the 80’s, in my opinion. I miss these days so much!

The buildup to these classic games on CBS made these epic. NBA on ESPN/ABC don't bring you in like this

These Were the Days.

2:27 RIP Bill Russell. 💚

It's easier for me as a Pistons fan to watch this knowing they would win it the next 2 years. As beloved as the NBA on NBC theme rightfully is, this NBA on CBS theme is iconic. All the way down to Musburger's voice on the video packages. It's perfect for this era.

Whether it was Brent or Dick the way they would set the stage for the game always kept me on the edge of my seat in anticipation of a historic contest.

For those watching Legacy, this is what the Showtime Lakers were all about. The NBA on CBS was epic.

So much symbolism in this clip. This was the last time this was ever used in the championship round as CBS went to a jazzier version of the theme for the 1989 Finals. It was also the last championship for the Showtime Lakers. In a way, this was the end of the glamour period of the NBA. The next two years would be dominated by the Pistons in almost a transitional period before NBC took over and Jordan took over as the centerpiece of the league as age and injury and retirement ushered out Bird, Magic, and Isiah.

1988 was the toughest championship ever. 3 series went the full 7 games. Lakers beat Jazz 4-3. Lakers beat Mavericks 4-3. Lakers beat Pistons 4-3. Lakers became the first team to repeat in 19 years. L.A. wins there 5th. champioships in the 1980's. Lakers became the first team to play three seven games series in the NBA Playoffs.

Players of today in the NBA should be watching this video. Players who played through injuries and were motivated to win championship games. Anthony Davis for one. Even much respect to Isaiah Thomas from a Bulls fan.

THIS WAS THE HARDEST FOUGHT NBA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP IN NBA HISTORY IN 1988. LAKERS WON THREE GAME 7'S. THE FIRST TIME IN NBA HISTORY THAT A TEAM WON 3 GAME 7'S TO WIN A TITLE. THE 80'S WAS THE GREATEST ERA OF NBA BASKETBALL...

Man, this brings back great memories. As a Detroit Pistons fan I was so nervous for this game 7. The loss of game 6 was brutal. Isiah did his best to try to go but he wasn't very effective on that bad ankle. The Pistons never quit and fought to the bitter end. I was proud of what they accomplished, having never been in this situation before, and I sure am proud of them for staying focused on the goal of getting back and winning an NBA World Championship...twice! Bad Boys 4 Life!!

The NBA will never be like this ever again... Miss these days!

The Glory Days

Now this what NBA used to be bring this back get fans ready for the game.

this was the better music introduction

Say what you want about Isaiah, but this is one of the GREATEST exhibitions of heart that I can remember.

That was a legit ankle sprain his game game 6 was nuts.

When the game was good

Pistons first NBA finals since 1956 when they were in Fort Wayne. RIP Bill Russell, 11 time NBA champ.

RIP...Bill Russell

What an opening introduction to this game . Makes you want to get off your chair and insert yourself into the game

1988 LAKERS BACK TO BACK TITLES RUN IS THE GREATEST LAKERS TITLE RUN IN LAKERS HISTORY

Anyone know where to get the full clean version of this theme and/or who wrote/published it? Man do I miss these days when the NBA was on CBS.

The Lakers had our number in ‘88, but, all those past wars with the Celtics finally caught up with them in ‘89 and then it was the Pistons’ turn to rule

You have no idea what this means to me …no idea. Thank you for posting

That is brodcasted on CBS on July 7, 1988.

I was 18 and just graduated from high school

Adrian dantley, the microwave, spider, james Edwards, zeke, AC, Rodman, magic the golden era

Nice block by 41 year old Kareem

Musberger provided the best narration bar none.

Key difference between the cbs theme and nbc theme... The cbs theme flows perfectly with the game preview narration. It's dramatically more epic because of this. Every game has it's own unique feel to it because of the dramatic narration intertwined with the great music. The NBC theme does not play with any game highlight visuals to go with it.

Best series ever...

I love basketball. I would love to coach it, but I know I would have a heart attack. Every game would feel like Game 7 of the NBA Finals, even a Saturday morning youth rec game. I wouldn't be able to take it!😂

Without the Phantom call against laimbeer in game 6 the pistons 3 peat

There's a lot of recall about how great the coverage was of the NBA while on NBC - and it was great. But the CBS coverage - especially as the game grew and became more popular in the second half of the 1980s - was excellent. Every bit the pre- and in-game production. I think once NBC had it, they did just as well in those aspects as CBS, but they also layered on more discussion about the moves behind the teams such as their "NBA Insiders." Anyway, enjoyed the CBS coverage very much with Brent, Dick, Hubie, Verne, Len, etc...a quality group for sure. NBC took the baton nicely from them as well.

Happy 30th anniversary exactly today.

Gutsiest Heroic Game I’ve ever seen one play, Zeke in Game 6. But this game will go down in Lakers History Back to Back! Yeah! Yeah! And you know this! - Magic

That was a pretty nasty ankle sprain 3:03.

I have this game on VHS Tape

This was before the NBA got Pussyfied!

2:58 I like the music what's the name of it

I hope the big3 uses it for their telecasts

Just want to confirm. The music played during the Isiah Thomas injury segment at 3:15. Is it End Titles from Blade Runner by Vangelis? kzfaq.info/get/bejne/d5Zjq5ym3JiZm30.html

One month after Daws Butler's death that year.

The Pistons blew a 3-2 lead.

A os Brasileiros, TV Globo aprensenta neste partido. NBA Os Finais.

How do Laker fans explain the last few seconds of this game when the entire court was polluted by Laker players, fans and the media when the Pistons were down only 3 and had more than enough time to get a shot off? I'm a life long Celtics fans that actually rooted for the Lakers in this series because of my hatred for the Pistons but when I saw what transpired in the final few seconds, I wish I would've rooted for Detroit. What an absolute joke!

The nba on NBC is a close very close 2nd