Sue Bird, Billy Crystal and NBA Stars Gather for the Holidays

Here comes Santa Claus, right down NBA Lane!

Touting the league’s Christmas Day telecast of five straight games, hoop legends, celebrities, superfans and mascots gather for a “family dinner” on the fantastical street where elite ballers live and play.

Black-ish star Anthony Anderson narrates, as Sue Bird, Dominique Wilkins, Billy Crystal, Robert Parish, Paul Gasol, Mr. ORNG, Bongo the Buck—and more!—spread goofy cheer.

It’s exactly like Xmas at your house and mine. Except not. (Sue and Billy ignore my invitations!)

Translation developed the film, which continues the league’s 75th birthday celebration, with director Emmett Malloy. The ad drops on TV and across NBA digital platforms this week.

Easter eggs include a toy version of the Hoop Bus from the original “NBA Lane” commercial, a ham in the shape of a Wilson basketball, Nike MVP puppets LeBron and Lil Dez, and a Shaq cutout greeting the guests at the front door, à la Michael Jordan’s cardboard performance in Home Alone.

Here’s the full guest list:

• ATL: Quavo (Grammy-nominated rapper), Dominique Wilkins (NBA legend)
• BKN: Naiya (“Sam,” the fan featured in the original “NBA Lane” film)
• BOS: Robert Parish (legend)
• DAL: Shawn Marion (legend)
• GSW: Baron Davis (legend)
• LAL: Pau Gasol (legend)
• MIL: Bango the Buck
• NYK: Desus Nice and That Kid Mero (Showtime’s Desus and Mero)
• PHX: Mr. ORNG (Phoenix Suns superfan)
• UTA: Jazz Bear (Inflatable)
• Also featured: Sue Bird (Seattle Storm), Billy Crystal (Emmy Award-winning comedian, actor, producer, writer and director)

And a schedule of the games:

• Atlanta Hawks at New York Knicks (12 p.m. ET, ESPN)
• Boston Celtics at Milwaukee Bucks (2:30 p.m. ET, ABC)
• Golden State Warriors at Phoenix Suns (5 p.m. ET, ABC)
• Brooklyn Nets at Los Angeles Lakers (8 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN)
• Dallas Mavericks at Utah Jazz (10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)

CREDITS

Brand/Client: NBA
Campaign Title: NBA Lane | Christmas Family Dinner

Spot Title:
Family Dinner on NBA Lane

Brand/Client Team: NBA
Chief Marketing Officer: Kate Jhaveri
Senior Director of Marketing & Advertising: Katie Papelian
Senior Advertising Manager: Alexander Wood
Advertising Associate: Caroline Abrams
Creative Consultant: Rudy Crew
International Advertising and Content Manager: Matt Halliwell
Associate Vice President Promotions and PSAs: Caryn Pace
Senior Manager Content Promotions and PSAs: Cory Zalewski

Agency: Translation
Chief Executive Officer: Steve Stoute
President: Ann Wool
Chief Strategy Officer: Sandi Preston
Head of Client Services: Susanna Swartley
Executive Creative Director: Jason Campbell
Group Context Director: Joel Rodriguez
Creative Director: Mina Mikhael
Creative Director: Steve Horn
Senior Art Director: Johana Martinez
Senior Copywriter: Chanae Reed
Junior Art Director: Asia Irvin
Strategy Director: Eric Lopez
Context Strategist: Alex Glaum
Context Strategist: Zach Brown
Head of Integrated Production: Alison Hill
Senior Producer: Lee Nichnowitz
Business Affairs Manager: Gail Uhlar
Senior Account Director: David Mintz
Account Supervisor: Taylor West
Account Executive: Victoria Jean-Pierre

Production Company: Superprime
Films Director: Emmett Malloy
Managing Director: Rebecca Skinner
Managing Director: Michelle Ross
EP: Charlotte Woodhead
HOP: Matt Sanders
Producer: Carr Donald
1st Ad: Joe Oz
Dop: Malik Shaeed Production
Designer: Eric Archer
Costume Designer: Nra Kedelka

Editorial Company: Rock Paper Scissors
Head of Production: Justin Kumpata
Editor: Jamie Foord
Assistant Editor: Damoon Parsa
Cutting Assistant: Tom Mika
Executive Producer: Eve Kornblum
Post Producer: Alexandra Leal

VFX Company: Parliament

Color Grade: Raremedium
Colorist: Mikey Rossiter
Color Assists: Stephanie Park
Senior Producer: Heath Raymond

Sound Design & Mix: Barking Owl
Sound Designer: Gus Koven
Mixer: Matt Keith
Creative Director: Kelly Bayett
EP – Ashley Benton