How the NBA Created the Iconic ‘Jingle Hoops’ Christmas Ad
The NBA’s ‘Jingle Hoops’ ad combines creativity and nostalgia, showcasing stars in a unique holiday-themed commercial that resonates with fans.
NBA, Christmas, Jingle Hoops, Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, Miami
Los Angeles: You know that catchy NBA Christmas ad, right? The one with the players shooting hoops to the tune of “Jingle Bells”? It’s super popular, and it’s not just game highlights that get views. This ad is a fan favorite!
It’s wild how memorable that ad still is! The NBA even released a new animated version recently, tapping into that nostalgia we all love. People still chat about how they pulled it off, and that’s exactly what the creators wanted.
Producer Benton Roman mentioned they debated whether to make it feel like one continuous shot. They thought it would be more powerful that way, even if it meant not seeing the players’ faces. So, did they nail 25 shots in one go? Not quite, but they had a clever plan.
The idea came after a previous ad called “Big Color,” where players dribbled to “Carol of the Bells.” They brought in director Jonathan Klein, who had experience with NBA stars. They wanted to make this one even better.
They created a pre-visualization animation to map out which player would shoot which note. It took a lot of tries to get the order just right, making sure it looked cool and avoided past mistakes.
When it was time to shoot, stars like Steve Nash and Stephen Curry filmed in Los Angeles, while others shot in Chicago, New York, and Miami. The challenge? They weren’t all in the same place!
Each player had to shoot at hoops with bells tuned to specific notes. They wore earpieces to know when to shoot and where to aim. It was all about timing, and without game pressure, these guys rarely miss.
But hey, they did miss sometimes! Shooting from different angles and hoops made it tricky. The key was not reacting to mistakes, which was crucial for the final cut.
After filming, they had non-NBA players shoot in the same spots to get extra shots. They used visual effects to swap in the best shots from the pros, making it all look seamless.
Roman can’t recall who got their shots replaced, but he remembers Derrick Rose being super engaged, even if he wasn’t the best shooter statistically. It was all about the fun of the concept!
In the end, the ad looks real, with some shots even rattling in. They wanted it to feel believable, not perfect. The magic is in those little imperfections.
What keeps this ad alive? The stars! All six players featured have won MVP awards, and even after eleven years, they’re still playing at a high level. “Jingle Hoops” is truly one of the best sports commercials out there!