Copyright Newsweek
It's official; the NBA is in full swing this week. Even more importantly, the NBA has returned to NBC, as the network will air NBA games for the first time since June of 2002. A lot has transpired between then and now. With many eyes on the Oklahoma City Thunder as they start their title defense against the Houston Rockets on Tuesday night during the early game, NBC and Peacock's doubleheader will feature a late game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Golden State Warriors. The only unfortunate thing is that LeBron James will not be active in that matchup. It's James's first time missing a season opener in his entire career. The 40-year-old has been there for the opening tip-off every season of his career since it began in the fall of 2003. Just like the massive gap times when NBC had the broadcasting rights of the NBA, there has been a lot going on in the world since we've had a season opener without James. Sports and American culture as a whole looked a lot different. The fall of 2002 was the last time James wasn't at a season opener (it would still be another year until he made his NBA debut). At that point in time, arguably the greatest player the NFL had ever seen, Tom Brady, only had one Super Bowl title to his name. iTunes had just become a new thing. USB flash drives were unheard of by the general public, and Jack Black's School of Rock had the No. 1 spot at the box office. In terms of what the NBA looked like in 2002, Michael Jordan was in his second season with the Washington Wizards, Tim Duncan had just won league MVP, and Victor Wembanyamanyama and Paolo Banchero had not even been born yet.
