Not everything needs to be a big “Event” in sports. Certainly not during the offseason.
The NFL has repeatedly made its annual schedule release a big deal, hyping it up more and more each year. Really, there’s a ceiling on how excited one can get over an excel sheet with dates and times, but individual teams have found a way to make it just a bit more enjoyable.
I’m talking about the (often) intricate videos social media teams put out every offseason when the new schedule drops. Sometimes they’re great, sometimes they’re awful.
Wednesday’s NBA schedule drop gave us plenty of both. Let’s run through the five best and worst video reveals.
Honorable Mention Best: Charlotte, Oklahoma City, Dallas
Look, if you make a video centered around both dogs and basketball, I’m going to enjoy it. Bonus points if the dogs are playing basketball.
Paw-fectly pleasing for schedule release day 🐾🗓 pic.twitter.com/JwNHyJPJ8H
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) August 17, 2022
World Famous Director, Theophilus Pinson, takes puppy calendars very seriously.
The 22-23 schedule is here 🗓️ Get your paws on it! @chime | https://t.co/T7mIMIvn8W pic.twitter.com/3Stqj738Nr
— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) August 17, 2022
Who’s ready to play? 😤 THE HORNETS SCHEDULE IS OUT!!
Check out the full schedule: https://t.co/UPU1IYHObI pic.twitter.com/xNS22tubcy
— Charlotte Hornets (@hornets) August 17, 2022
Honorable Mention Worst: Utah Jazz
✨📱 𝟷 𝚗𝚎𝚠 𝚗𝚘𝚝𝚒𝚏𝚒𝚌𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗 📱✨
The 2022-23 schedule is 𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄 🗓#TakeNote | @UofUHealth pic.twitter.com/LDu7u03sIW
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) August 17, 2022
Mocking the Brian Windhorst meme is A+ trolling. That’s the only thing that kept this app-centric video off the “Worst” list.
No. 5 Best: Chicago Bulls
HERE IT IS: YOUR 2022-23 BULLS SCHEDULE.@ATT | #BullsNation pic.twitter.com/H2ciy1EBsF
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) August 17, 2022
I don’t spot any lies here at all. Just amazed they didn’t release this sooner, considering it’s the same every single year.
No. 5 Worst: Los Angeles Clippers
NEVER SLEEP.
🎵: @beatsbynav (with @lilbaby4PF)
“Never Sleep”
XO Records / Republic Records pic.twitter.com/OCaSJYkzIf— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) August 17, 2022
The subtext in this video is simply “Look, we’re alive! And healthy! And on a basketball court!” which on the one hand, is the bare minimum you can ask for an NBA team, and on the other a complete relief for Clippers fans.
No. 4 Best: Portland Trail Blazers
Connection to the schedule…successful.@TvEvoca | #RipCity pic.twitter.com/l08PDcpCkQ
— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) August 17, 2022
As a ’90s kid, this is absolutely perfect—even if some of the sound effects are totally triggering. RIP dial-up internet era. You did your best.
No. 4 Worst: Houston Rockets
Coming soon to an arena near you!
🗓 2022-23 Schedule pic.twitter.com/3BFSYScWnP
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) August 17, 2022
A fun idea to show the first day at work for the rookies and incorporate the players, but this goes on way too long. HOWEVER….is that a tease for a new space themed jersey set?
Ok, I’m intrigued.
No. 3 Best: Phoenix Suns
Welcome to Inside the NBA Jr. with the @NBAonTNT crew! 👶
Crawl out your crib, the Phoenix Suns 2022-23 schedule is here: https://t.co/COZgoto2Cj pic.twitter.com/xLXiL50IAN
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) August 17, 2022
Inside The NBA Jr.!
The Chuck Guarantee, the gambling references, Ernie’s glasses. 10/10 perfect. No notes.
No. 3 Worst: Miami Heat
SPAM calls especially out of control today 😑
full schedule – https://t.co/aP1AbjlHT6@MiamiHEAT // @FTX_Official pic.twitter.com/loTgh8IKrh
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) August 17, 2022
This probably sounded great in theory, but no one likes getting these spam calls, so making a video about receiving a ton of them might not have been the way to go.
No. 2 Best: Atlanta Hawks
Smile, the schedule is here 😁
Delivered by @PapaJohns pic.twitter.com/bHGGp9T0ua
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) August 17, 2022
This right here. This is the level teams need to be operating at. Houston is probably watching this and realizing what a missed opportunity it had.
No. 2 Worst: Orlando Magic
our 2022-23 schedule has 𝐝𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐝@AdventHealth x #MagicTogether pic.twitter.com/PrMQQRecva
— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) August 17, 2022
Ok, noted. Do not let this mascot get anywhere near Paolo. The Magic really can’t afford any more bad breaks.
No. 1 Best: New Orleans Pelicans
The #Pelicans schedule is out!
Take it away, Griff 🎹
#WBD | @SeatGeek pic.twitter.com/i66FgXQSWO— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) August 17, 2022
Give this social team a raise. Right now.
Not only did they get team president David Griffin on the keys, but the whole video is a callback to the hilarious rumor that Griffin attempted to bond with Zion Williamson by playing piano for him at his hotel in the bubble a few years back.
Zion addressed David Griffin's piano: "Come on now. Guys, I'm not letting a grown man come to my hotel room and play a piano for me." 😂 pic.twitter.com/oKjU7sHvfd
— Dime (@DimeUPROXX) September 27, 2021
Legendary work here.
No. 1 Worst: Cleveland Cavaliers
‘22-23 Cavs Coming Soon.#LetEmKnow | @SeatGeek pic.twitter.com/uvPAk6PENM
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) August 17, 2022
Major “Oh no, that project is due tomorrow!?” vibes. Fortunately this might the lowest moment in the season for a Cavs team with a ton of potential.
