It certainly appears that the NBA is considering options to simulate some sort of crowd noise when games start in Orlando.
Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban was asked about how playing in empty arenas might impact players, but said that there is some consideration to using technology to allow fans to try to impact the game from home.
“It will be different for certain. But there will be a lot of technology we will be experimenting with to try to introduce noise and make the event more entertaining for players and TV viewers,” Cuban told Steve Serby of the New York Post. “We have been having a lot of fun with apps that allow fans to push noise they make at home into the arena. So not only will there be competition on the court, there will be competition from fans to contribute energy as well!”
It’s an interesting thought. If it is possible for something like this to be implemented without it being awkward, it’s one way to involve fans without them being at games.
What we do know is teams have at least considered trying to find ways to create some sort of home court advantage in Orlando. This isn’t quite one of the ideas they had in mind, but it could be something the NBA considers to spruce up the environment a little.
