The National Basketball Association, also known as the NBA, has always been on the front line in enhancing its games and improving player performances to provide a better experience to the audiences. This has been done by utilizing, encompassing, and implementing different technologies that are systematic enough to provide an elevated experience to the fans. As a result of this, the NBA has been able to transform various aspects and dynamics of sports, creating many opportunities for growth and engagement. Some of the most prominent and notable technologies used in the NBA are:
Instant Replay and Referee Assistance:
Purpose:
This system has become one of the most essential parts of the NBA games. It is used to determine the accuracy of a situation in somewhat controversial games. This technology aims to increase precision and reduce human errors before giving an official statement in-game. The officials must watch the shot’s instant replay to determine whether it was released during the time-out.
History:
In the 2002-2003 season, instant replay was first introduced. During game 4 of the 200 Western Conference Finals, Samaki Walkers of the Los Angeles Lakers made a three-point field goal from the halfcourt. When this shot was replayed, it was revealed that Walker’s shot was delayed, and he was still holding the ball when the time expired.
Future:
Various potential developments regarding Instant Replay and Referee Assistance can be considered and brought into operation, including expanded reviewable calls, optimized use of the camera technology, and further improvement of the communication between officials, the Replay Center, and fans.
Player Tracking:
Purpose:
Second Spectrum is a technology possessed by the NBA. It is a tracking system that uses the latest cameras and vision algorithms to determine and analyze the player’s movements, speed, and various other benchmarks, including acceleration and positioning of the player. The data collected is then used to formulate performance analysis and visualizations for the broadcast.
Background:
This technology debuted in all games of the 2013-2014 NBA season. Before the beginning of league-wide tracking by the Second Spectrum in the 2017-18 NBA season, another technology known as STATS SportVU was used for this purpose. Currently, multiple cameras are set up in the catwalks in all 29 NBA arenas. The data is collected at the rate of 25 frames per second.
Future:
The future holds several improvements in the technology of Player Tracking. These evolutions may include the betterment of sensor technology resulting in more reliable and justifiable data collection.
Video Analytics:
Purpose:
There is an important use of the software by the NBA that analyzes videos. The purpose of this is to examine game footage and study the game plan used by the opponents, the tendency of the players, and the setting of the game. This aids the teams in formulating a precise roadmap to improve their performance in the next game.
Background:
This technology was first used in the 2010-11 season when the Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets, Oklahoma City Thunder, and San Antonio Spurs used the cameras. In the next season, the former ones were joined by the Celtics and the Warriors. This initiative made the NBA the first American sports league to use video analytics and player tracking in every game.
Future:
Improvements made in computer vision can lead to better and more results in video analytics. Detection of players and their activities can be figured out, providing more comprehensive data for analysis.
Immersive Entertainment
Further Tech is being developed for the way fans interact with the game. This of course involves sports betting. Fans can bet on NBA games in live time whether they are in the arena or at home. Lightning fast player and score updates are essential when offering the service. Several companies specialize in this very thing.
People are utilizing digital money to bet on Sports. In fact, Bitcoin sportsbooks are as common as any other kind.
If you are a fan who Embraces the future of tech and how it relates to sports entertainment, then the next few years should be very exciting for you.
