2008 NBA Finals Banners

The playoffs are always a fantastic opportunity for designers because there is history, stories, energy and excitement everywhere you look. Thanks to an introduction from our friends at Reebok, Bauer Graphics was given the opportunity by The NBA to assist with designing 2008 NBA Finals graphics for individual stadiums as well as Dick’s Sporting Goods.

In the 2008 finals, the Atlanta Hawks entered the postseason action after nine years of absence, taking the #1 seed Boston Celtics into a full seven games before bowing out. The Western Conference was a battle for home court advantage which was eventually won by the Western Conference champion Los Angeles Lakers. The Hornets and Chris Paul gave New Orleans a lift as they were still rebuilding post-Katrina with a phenomenal 7-game series against defending champions San Antonio Spurs.

This season also showed the revitalization of the Lakers’ and Celtics’ franchises. After some key trades during the pre-season and regular season, The Boston Celtics, the top-seeded champions of the Eastern Conference, defeated the Los Angeles Lakers, top-seeded champions of the Western Conference, four games to two in a best-of-seven series. This was Boston’s first title since 1986 and 17th overall.

2008 marked the first time since 2000 that the top seeds from both conferences met in the Finals and the first time since 2003 that any top seeded team played in the NBA finals. The Lakers appeared in the Finals for the first time since 2004 and a record 29th time overall. The Celtics appeared in the Finals for the first time since 1987 and second-best 20th time overall.