NBA Embraces the Future: Smart Tech Revolutionizes Preseason Play
The NBA is experimenting with advanced technology during pre-season exhibition games, including smart basketballs equipped with Bluetooth sensors and wrist wearables for officials. These trials aim to gather data for future officiating improvements and streamline communication with the replay center, though the technology will not be used in the regular season.
The National Basketball Association (NBA) has announced a series of technological experiments to be conducted during select exhibition games in the lead-up to the upcoming season. These trials involve two distinct pieces of technology designed to enhance future officiating and communication processes.
One of the key innovations being tested is a smart basketball, developed by Wilson, which incorporates a Bluetooth sensor. This 'connected' ball is capable of collecting various data points in real-time. The NBA has clarified that the information gathered from these smart basketballs will be exclusively for research purposes and will not influence any officiating decisions made during the exhibition games in which they are used.
In parallel, officials in designated exhibition games will utilize wrist wearables. These devices are intended to facilitate direct communication with the replay center in specific scenarios, such as replay reviews, adjustments to scores, and rectifying clock malfunctions. The league reported that these wrist wearables successfully underwent a pilot program during the summer league, demonstrating their potential utility.
It is important to note that while these technological advancements are being explored for their potential benefits, neither the smart basketballs nor the wrist wearables will be implemented during the upcoming NBA regular season. The current phase is purely experimental, focusing on data collection and evaluating the efficacy of these tools for future consideration.