While the thrill of attending an NBA game can often include the enjoyment of the on-court product and entertainment, the atmosphere inside the arena is well and truly pumped up to a raucous level when the speakers play a variety of popular songs from various high-profile artists that keep all fans engaged and hyped for the next highlight play.
The sound of various anthems blaring out during NBA contests has become a staple of the league throughout the decades which has since transpired over to other notable US sports such as football, baseball and ice hockey.
While most sporting contests will often look to keep their fans enthralled by the action they are witnessing, the NBA looks to increase the involvement of fans by allowing them to listen to their favorite hit tracks whilst also chanting and cheering for their team of choice.
When it comes to the most notable and recognizable anthems presented in the NBA across a number of prestigious organizations, there are a few standout options that are often played at various arenas for fans to enjoy during the outing.
These are some of the top NBA anthems that are played before and during a number of games for a vast number of the league’s most established teams:
• Sirius – The Alan Parsons Project:
Should NBA fans be scouring the league for the most iconic theme for any of the thirty franchises, there may be none more synonymous than the legendary ‘Sirius’ track that is played over the speakers at the United Center ahead of tip-off for a Chicago Bulls contest.
There are various graphics that appear on screen with the arena lighting also playing a major factor into the pre-game roster announcements, with this amazing track sending the entire venue into a frenzy of sheer nerves and adrenaline.
Of course, this anthem was made increasingly popular during the Bulls’ legendary seasons during the 1990s with Michael Jordan at the helm, with this anthem still sending chills down the spines of every fan in attendance.
Whilst the Bulls have suffered their fair share of struggles over the years, with their 2022/23 season odds now being presented in the latest NBA lines on DraftKings, there is still an abundance of nerves surrounding a Bulls game no matter where they are in the standings whenever this tune is blared through the speakers.
• The Final Countdown – Europe:
This has remained a classic at all sporting events for decades since its release in the 1980s, with the original release now often being played ahead of the closing quarter or during the concluding moments of any sports game should the contest remain tight or at a stalemate.
Whenever Europe’s legendary rift rings throughout the venue’s speakers, there is a palpable atmosphere in the arena with the consensus feeling being that the game is about to go down to the wire in the closing moments, leaving everyone on the edge of their seats.
There have been many remixes and adjustments made to this musical classic which has still kept fans guessing as to who they believe could win this encounter, yet it still appears that nothing will ever top the original which is still heavily played across the world at a variety of sporting events.
• Space Jam – Quad City DJ’s
One of the most catchy and addictive tunes that has ever been released from the basketball world is this famous track from the beloved 1996 classic ‘Space Jam’, which remains a highly popular song in the basketball community today as it is still often played at various NBA contests.
Of course, the film depicts Michael Jordan teaming up with Bugs Bunny and the rest of the Looney Tunes cast to face off against the Monstars to earn back the talents of other NBA players in a memorable animated phenomenon that still holds up well today.
Whenever the main track of the film is played across any NBA arena, most fans cannot help themselves but to rise from their seats and often dance or sing along to funky lyrics of the song with many basketball fans still keeping this track in their various music playlists on Spotify or iTunes as a nostalgia nod to their childhood.
While the film draws many critiques for various reasons, there is no denying the cultural impact that it brought on the NBA and the sport of basketball as a whole in the decades following its release, with the main track still drawing major enjoyment and numerous wacky dance moves from fans at any NBA arena.
Other notable songs that are often played at various NBA games include, ‘Jump Around’ by House of Pain, ‘All of the Lights’ by Kanye West and ‘Seven Nation Army’ by The White Stripes.
Overall, there are several catchy tunes that are sure to keep the atmosphere in any arena at a deafening rate, with fans showcasing their enjoyment whilst at the game by dancing with friends or family members during the chorus of their favorite tracks.
