NBC’s Attempt to Console America Has Stephen Curry Thinking of Michael Jordan

Will the loss of ‘Inside the NBA’ bring something better along the road? For over two decades, the renowned TNT show seldom failed to bring a smile to the faces of NBA enthusiasts. However, after the network and the NBA faced issues in coming to terms with an extension deal, the league’s media rights are now set to be handed over to Amazon, Disney, and NBC Sports. One’s loss is another’s gain, as reports now indicate that if all goes well, NBC Sports may very well end up bringing John Tesh‘s iconic ‘Roundball Rock’ theme back to life. If there is one person who we know will approve this update, it is Stephen Curry.

The Athletic reporter Daniel Brown was on-site during the recent Golden State Warriors Media Day, placing special emphasis on covering Stephen Curry on this significant occasion. In his report, he noted that one of the player’s first stops to engage with the media was at the NBC Sports Bay Area booth.

With 12 minutes reportedly allocated to them, the network made efficient use of their time by filming several short promotional spots first. During the initial segment, Curry sat quietly as ‘Roundball Rock’ played in the background. When asked to share his thoughts on the theme, the three-point leader took a moment to soak in the nostalgia that washed over him. He then replied, “Yeah, I love that song. I’m thinking of Michael Jordan right now.”

Composed for ‘NBA On NBC’, ‘Roundball Rock’ was the song that blared every time the network would switch its coverage to basketball between the period of 1990 and 2002. According to reports, fans who may have tuned in to ‘NBA On NBC’ every day throughout the 12 years would have heard the theme a whopping 12,000 times! The usage of the theme coincided with one of the most memorable eras of the NBA. Therefore, if ‘Sirius’ was one theme song that would remind NBA fans of Michael Jordan and the Golden Era of the Chicago Bulls that he brought with him, ‘Roundball Rock’ was another. The composer himself admitted that the Bulls legend was on his mind when creating the iconic theme.

“You want to remove any chance for imagination or work from people who are judging that kind of stuff. So, I made sure it was the right tempo, so they didn’t have to imagine it was 134 beats per minute, which is the tempo of a Michael Jordan fast break—I put it at that tempo” John Tesh said during an interview. “And then I re-edited the footage so it looked like it was already in the show.”

The last time NBC used the iconic theme, George W. Bush was still in the first half of his first term—feels like ages ago, doesn’t it? But now, with NBC reportedly closing in on a decade-long deal that will pay the league around $2.5 billion annually, both ‘NBA on NBC’ and its famous theme are set for a comeback. Even better, John Tesh has released an updated version, which he’s calling the “shredded version.” Stephen Curry has already had a taste of ‘Roundball Rock’ again, and soon, so will the rest of us.

When asking Curry about his thoughts after listening to the theme, it would have been easy to guess that Michael Jordan’s name would come out of his mouth. After all, along with the fact that ‘Roundball Rock’ may have symbolized the Jordan era eloquently, the player himself has held His Airness in high regard. The theme played for Jordan for the major part of his career, and would now play for Steph during his late stage with the Warriors. If anyone would be glad of this fact, then it would be Warriors head coach Steve Kerr.

“True sign of greatness” – Steve Kerr once drew a comparison between Stephen Curry and Michael Jordan

Not many NBA stars can say they cheered for both Michael Jordan and Stephen Curry. Among those who can is a unique individual who has had the privilege of spending a significant part of his NBA career alongside both legends. That would be Steve Kerr. Being a point guard/shooting guard for the Chicago Bulls between 1993 and 1998, Kerr played alongside ‘His Airness’ in three of the franchise’s championship runs, including ‘The Last Dance.’ Fate later took him to become the Warriors head coach, a tenure during which he helped the players’ roster secure five championship titles.

Kerr’s experience made him the ideal person to assess whether Curry is on par with the GOAT of the ’90s. He addressed this back in 2021, stating, “I think Steph, in many ways, is like Michael Jordan because there are so many standout moments that blend together. Perhaps that’s the true sign of greatness.” He later elaborated on his perspective during an interview with NBC Sports Bay Area reporter Monte Poole. Focusing on a specific trait, he said, “I recognize their similarities and their differences. The most significant similarity is their work ethic. Like Michael, Steph dedicates every ounce of energy to improving each year, constantly seeking ways to get better.”

Similarly to Michael Jordan, Stephen Curry won’t be on the NBA court forever. Time is ticking away quickly. Therefore, it is up to the fans now to make the best use of his remaining years. Fortunately, the return of ‘Roundball Rock’ may very well aid that effort.

Before you go, remember to check out this crossover between BG12 and Georgia Bulldogs star Silas Demary Jr.