The Hawks went 3D and gospel for MLK Day intros
NBA starting lineup intros have been massive, all-out affairs for some time now. Ever since the Chicago Bulls’ first use of “Sirius,” it’s not enough just to trot out an excited announcer. A team must have an anthem, a highlight video, and pretty much anything else that turns the announcement on names into a show.
By some standards, then, the Atlanta Hawks’ intros for were pretty standard for the NBA in 2015. There was a 3D intro projected onto the court, an unusual way of announcing the lineups, and the general atmosphere of a performance.
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Yet, because it was Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the show took on a little more significance than usual. The 3D intro included snippets of King’s iconic “I Have A Dream” speech, and the lineup intros were performed by a choir consisting of singers from various churches in Atlanta, King’s birthplace and home. Take a look:
We recently covered how the Hawks have reached out to new demographics in attempting to grow their fan base, and I suppose this performance qualifies as part of that effort. However, it also carries a special meaning due to King’s work and upbringing in the predominantly black congregations of Atlanta. Put simply, there are very few MLK celebrations around the country that have this much of a connection to the man himself.
Plus, it’s just a lot of fun to listen to the music. I’m pretty sure no one had ever heard “Budenholzer” this way before.
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Eric Freeman is a writer for Ball Don’t Lie on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter!
