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Nick celebrates the Clippers win with euphoria. Clap your hands and high five with Dina, his seatmate whom, by the way, he just met. Both end the evening happy, after attending the triumph that gives the Los Angeles franchise an advantage in his playoff series (3-2) against the Mavericks of a misguided Luka Doncic (154-111). The two have shared space in the second row of the sector behind the basket, have had a beer and have dinner while watching the game. The only thing different is that they have done it by clapping in front of their computer, thousands of miles away and each sitting on the couch at home, from which they have enjoyed the thrill of attending an NBA game without having to travel or endanger their safety.
To travel to Orlando, where the NBA playoffs are held these days, you no longer need to take a plane. A mouse click is enough. This is how easy the American league has made it, which in each postseason game allows a handful of fans chosen after a selection process that depends on each team to live a virtual experience. Some, like Celtics, are giving that opportunity to their subscribers, while others allow anyone to sign up through their website. Even sponsors are running their own giveaways to make room for everyone who wants it.
The NBA, always one step ahead, set out get their fans to somehow be in the playoffs. Banned from entering the bubble because of the coronavirus, the league’s leaders studied the possibilities and went beyond anything known. They did not want the fans to be a simple image on a screen, but wanted the experience to be as similar as possible to being in a game. So the «virtual seats» were born, where hundreds of fans from around the world can experience the playoffs from within, interacting with each other and with the players as if they were in Orlando, but maintaining the security that their homes confer on these days marked by the pandemic.
It all starts when the National anthem. Also in the virtual stands there are those who take the opportunity to put their knees on the ground and launch their message of protest over the racial events of recent days in the United States. Others sing along to the music and sing the last verses just as they would at the Staples Center. Because once the show starts, no one remembers whether they are at home or in the front row of the pavilion, sharing a chair with Jack Nicholson or Spike Lee.
Another thing that does not change being away from the pavilion is the popularity that Luka Doncic is gaining. The Slovenian -gray, like the rest of his team (22 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists) – was the most acclaimed in the presentations of the two teams. Without a doubt, his figure has been getting bigger and bigger in the NBA universe and his monstrous performance last Sunday has helped.
The ovation must have been noted, as the Mavericks started the game as if they were playing at home. Mastering the shock to his heart’s content … until Luka’s ankle began to limp. Still battered, without Porzingis by his side, the Mavericks’ feat began to go wrong because of Kawhi Leonard, author of 13 points without failure on his first six pitches. The Clippers’ star was infallible, who led a brutal 33-6 run in the next eight minutes (41-22, min. 12).
The blow was brutal for the future of the game, but not for the virtual stands, whose enthusiasm grew as the minutes passed. Applause, shouts, protests and even arms moving to distract the player going to the free throw line. Just the need to get up to go to the fridge forced you to return to reality for a moment before diving back into the virtual experience of the NBA playoffs, but already with some nachos, a pizza or a piece of Spanish omelette in hand. Because, just like the league, the fans are increasingly international and they join these seats from any corner of the planet.
With the score unbalanced at halftime (76-52), interest shifted to the “stands”, where interactions between fans grew. Shock of hands, winks, exchange of messages and even a virtual kiss. The «kiss cam» does not understand pandemics.
The match resolved (111-86, min. 36) -Gorgeous Clippers at times- some chose to leave the session and that this time it was not necessary to take the subway or drive home for a long time. It was enough to turn off the computer to return to reality with the feeling of having traveled to Orlando in the arms of Peter Pan. The magic of DisneyWorld has caught the NBA to bring it closer to its fans like never before. An amazing trip that ensures strong emotions.
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