‘Might As Well Jump’: NBA Eyes '24-25 Season With ‘The Tip-Off’ Campaign
Thursday, October 3, 2024 at 01:42PM By Barry Janoff
October 3, 2024: The NBA is storming the court for the 2024-25 season with a multi-media tip-off brand campaign, “The Tip-Off.”
The effort features NBA stars, celebrities and fans who are so anxious for the season to begin that they literally storm the court college basketball style as the tip-off for first game is about to take place.
“‘The Tip-Off’ uses the jump ball — the play that begins every game of basketball — to symbolize the start of a new chapter, when all 30 teams tip off with a clean slate and the journey to a championship begins,” according to the NBA.
“It also highlights the excitement of the league’s global fanbase as they gear up for another thrilling season and captures the anticipation of knowing that the Larry O’Brien Trophy is anyone’s to claim.”
“The Tip-Off” will air across NBA media partners including ESPN and TNT Sports, as well as NBA social platforms and the NBA App.
Appropriately, the action plays out to “Jump” by Van Halen.
The spot opens with Kawhi Leonard and Anthony Edwards preparing for a jump ball at center court.
Before that can happen, however, their space is encroached by Bam Adebayo (“Step aside, it’s a big man’s job,” he says to the two smaller players), Jayson Tatum (who proclaims “The champ is here”) and Victor Wembanyama, who also want to be the first to get their hands on the ball to begin the season.
Luka Dončić is also part of the action, not on the court but sitting on one of the backboard hoops.
That sets off an on-court frenzy that includes Grammy Award-winning artist Kelly Rowland, New York Times bestselling author Drew Afualo and Denver Nuggets Mascot Rocky ‘
“It’s all about the excitement of the season,” says Rowland in a “Tip-Off: Behind The Scenes” video. “The energy comes up. You watch everybody come alive around this time.”
The chaotic action momentarily comes to a silent halt as the ref is about to begin the tip-off.
“Is everybody ready?” asks Wembanyama.
To which Van Halen replies, “Might as well jump.”
Pre-season begins this weekend.
The first five days of the 2024-25 NBA regular season — Oct. 22-26 — will feature 11 nationally televised games as part of Kia NBA Tip-Off 2024, including two doubleheaders each on TNT (Oct. 22) and ESPN (Oct. 23) and a triple-header on NBA TV (Oct. 26).
The Emirates NBA Cup 2024 games will take place on Tuesdays and Fridays Nov. 12-Dec. 3. TNT and ESPN will combine to air 14 games, NBA TV will televise three games in the first stage.
The semifinals and championship will be held in Las Vegas, Dec. 14 and Dec. 17, respectively.
The SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament 2025 is scheduled for April 15-18,. The NBA Playoffs 2025 presented by Google Pixel begin April 19.
Game 1 of the NBA Finals 2025 presented by YouTube TV is scheduled for June 5.
The NBA said people can “join in to celebrate the start of the season by wearing their favorite NBA jersey and sharing to social media Oct. 21 for the chance to be featured on league and team social media channels as part of the fifth annual NBA Jersey Day.”
The full cast includes:
• Bam Adebayo Miami Heat
• Luka Dončić Dallas Mavericks
• Anthony Edwards Minnesota Timberwolves
• Kawhi Leonard LA Clippers
• Jayson Tatum Boston Celtics
• Victor Wembanyama San Antonio Spurs
• Author Drew Afualo
• Streamer Kai Cenat
• Musician Kelly Rowland
• Denver Nuggets Mascot Rocky
“Jump” Van Halen
“I get up and nothin' gets me down
“You got it tough, I've seen the toughest around
“And I know, baby, just how you feel
“You got to roll with the punches to get to what's real
“Ah, can't you see me standin' here?
“I’ve got my back against the record machine
“I ain't the worst that you've seen
“Ah, can't you see what I mean?
“Ah, might as well jump (jump).”
NBA Jumpstarts '24-25: Tip-Off, Xmas, MLK Jr., Play-In, Post-Season Sked
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