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Each year, the Larry O’Brien trophy is awarded to the team won the NBA final. Traditionally, the coveted trophy decals were painted on the courts during the league championship series. “The finals” would also be painted on the courts.
But the current match between the western conference champion Oklahoma City Thunder and the winners of the Eastern Conference – the Indiana Pacers – presented virtual decals. Some viewers have suggested that the decals “disappeared” sometimes.
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June 5, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma: NBA commissioner Adam Silver talks to the media before the first match between Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers in the NBA 2025 final at the Paycc Center. (Images Alonzo Adams-Imagn)
“I saw part of the chatting on social networks on the decals on the field,” said Silver to Indianapolis in a television interview with ESPN before match 3. “People do not realize, they left ten years ago, because there were allegations, Kendrick [Perkins] Know … they were slippery when we had them on the ground. We are back to add them practically. “”
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According to the Front Office Sports, securing an adequate period to paint “the finals” in its distinctive police or the Larry O’Brien trophy on hardwood has become a difficult task for the league over the years. Painting requires specific time to dry completely to avoid any problem for players.
Oklahoma goalkeeper City Thunder Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) pulls the ball against Indiana striker of Indiana Isaiah Jackson (22) during the second half in the second match of the 2025 NBA final at the Paycc Center. (Images Kyle Terada-Imagn)
Silver also discussed the much discussed audience for the finals.
The first two games in the Thunder-Pacers series have ensured 8.84 million viewers on average respectively. The figure represents a drop of 24% compared to the last three finals. It is also the weakest audience since 2007, excluding the NBA 2020 finals – which took place in Florida in the NBA bubble.
The Indiana Pacers Tyrese Haliburton (0) goalkeeper reacts after a game against Oklahoma City Thunder during the fourth quarter of the first match of the 2025 NBA finals at the Paycc Center. (Images Kyle Terada-Imagn)
Silver highlighted the differences in today’s media landscape compared to previous decades.
“As a media question, it’s interesting. People compare us to 20 years ago, but games 1 and 2 are the best rated programs in May and June on television,” said the commissioner. “If something is fighting us, it will be another sports program. Back 20 years ago, we often won the night when the finals were underway. But the absolute note is lower now.”
Silver has also highlighted change in fans viewing habits and different ways whose content is distributed on the modern “content market”.
“We must be innovative and find new ways: podcasts, social media, direct marketing to consumers, new digital platforms that we move next year; ESPN and ABC do the same – it’s a changed company,” said Silver.
The Pacers direct the 2-1 series. The Council for Match 4 is scheduled for Friday at 7:30 p.m., Hae de Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
