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Every year, the Larry O’Brien Trophy is awarded no matter which team wins NBA Finals. Traditionally, decals resembling coveted trophies have been painted on the court during the league’s championship series. “Final” will also be painted on the home courts of competing teams.
However, the continuation of the Western Conference champions Oklahoma City Thunder The Indiana Pacers, the Eastern Conference winner, featured virtual decals. Some viewers have suggested that the decals “disappear” from time to time.
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June 5th, 2025. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma: NBA Commissioner Adam Silver will talk to the media before the game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers in the 2025 NBA Finals. (Alonzo Adams-Immagn image)
“I’ve seen some of the chatter on social media about decals on coats.” Silver said In Indianapolis, in a televised interview with ESPN prior to Game 3.
“People don’t notice, they left 10 years ago. There was an assertion, so Kendrick [Perkins] I know… when we had them in court they’re slippery. I’ve practically returned to adding them. ”
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According to Front Office Sportseither get enough lead time to paint the “final” on a distinctive font, or the hardwood Larry O’Brien Trophy has been a difficult job for the league for many years. The paint requires a specific time to dry completely to prevent player problems.
Oklahoma City Thunder Guard Shy Gilgauss Alexander (2) shoots the ball against Indiana Pacers forward Isaiah Jackson (22) late in Game 2 of the 2025 NBA Finals at PayCom Center. (Kyle Terada-imagn image)
Silver also addressed much-discussed viewers Final match.
According to Front Office Sports, the first two games in the Thunder-Pacers series each attracted an average of 8.84 million viewers. This figure represents a 24% drop from the last three finals. He is also the lowest reported viewer since 2007, excluding the 2020 NBA Finals. This took place in Florida at the NBA bubble.
Indiana Pacers guard Tyreese Halliburton (0) will respond after playing against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the fourth quarter of the 2025 NBA Finals at Paycom Center. (Kyle Terada-imagn image)
Silver pointed out differences in today’s media landscape compared to past decades.
“As a media issue, it’s interesting. People are comparing it to 20 years ago, but games 1 and 2 are the highest rated programs ever in May and June,” the commissioner said. “If something beats us, it’s going to be another sports program. Twenty years ago, we didn’t win the night that followed the finals, but our absolute ratings are lower than we are now.”
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Silver also highlighted the changing viewing habits of fans and the various ways content is distributed across modern “content marketplaces.”
“We must be innovative, find podcasts, social media, consumer marketing, new digital platforms to move on next year. ESPN and ABC are doing the same thing. It’s a changed society,” Silver said.
Pacers It will lead the series 2-1. The chip-off for Game 4 is scheduled for EDT from Gainbridge Field House in Indianapolis at 7:30pm on Friday.
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