The Bucks were back on NBC for the first time in 23 years and got the Bob Costas intro treatment.

First things first, and I think we mentioned this on a blog last week when we got the official return of the NBA on NBC, but the NBA product on NBC is LIGHT YEARS better than it ever was on ABC. The graphics, the score bug, the Roundball Rock theme song, actually showing the starting lineup introductions as they happen in the arena, and now Bob Costas high-drama intros are back.

YES! YES! YES!

This is what we want as fans! I don’t need Stephen A Smith and Kendrick Perkins screaming at me like two boiling kettles for 15 minutes. I don’t need hot takes and trade speculation every freakin’ night. All I want, and I know this might be a hard concept for ABC/ESPN, IS TO WATCH THE DAMN BASKETBALL GAME. And I want the fun production flair to enhance the experience! That’s what NBC provided back in the 90’s and they have returned to that game SEAMLESSLY so far.

And that Costas intro last night was the cherry on top of an experience I was already excited for. NBC used to do that for EVERY game they broadcast in the 90’s. And you know what? It made every game feel big! It’s late October and these games don’t really matter yet, but when I tuned in last night at 7pm and watched that intro, it felt like I was watching a playoff game! Say what you want about Costas, say he’s arrogant, or pompous, say he’s short or that someone farted on his pillow in Sochi, but THAT is the type of stuff he has always thrived on. He makes everything feel big (except himself)(boom roasted).

Now outside of that electric opener, how about these Milwaukee Bucks so far! A bounceback in the second half last night to take down a team that everyone feels like is a contender to come out of the East and make the Finals. AND the team that Shams talked about all summer as a place that Giannis wanted to leave Milwaukee for. Live look at Giannis last night as he was putting it on the Knicks:

“This is my f—— city!”

Tomorrow on First Take: Shams joins the show to tell us why Giannis might be in the market to own TWO cities.

So, a Bucks season that started with a LOT of questions, is off to a 3-1 start, with the one loss being on the road to another Eastern Conference contender, the Cavs. And they kept that game close into the final minute of the fourth quarter despite not having Kevin Porter Jr., Kuzma, or Cole Anthony.

Obviously we’ve got a LONG way to go, we’re 4 games in to an 82 game schedule, but there is something truly refreshing about this team in the early going. Going from the oldest team in the league to one of the youngest seems like it’s injected some life into the organization. The last few years it’s felt like a dark cloud has been hanging over the entire team. They lacked athleticism and it just felt like the team outside of Giannis was lethargic. But that’s not the case with all of these young guys (Porter, Rollins, Green, Trent) out to prove something. It looks like it’s reinvigorated Giannis as well. Fun (so far)!

PS: Giannis and Rollins were the story last night, but Kyle Kuzma appearing to be a usable player off of the bench through four games is a developing story as well. On offense there are still times where it looks like he’s playing the sport for the first time, but his defense on Karl Anthony Towns last night was LOCKDOWN. If he just focuses on that for 20 minutes a night he has actual value.