The Sixers are in the middle of a well-publicized rebuild, which mostly means developing young talent, and doing so exclusively at the expense of having a chance to compete most nights to earn victories.
So, how about finding other ways to entertain the fans with the in-arena experience?
Philadelphia is doing exactly that, by unveiling new projection technology in advance of the 2014-15 season.
From Max Rappaport of Sixers.com:As part of a larger set of changes to the team’s game presentation this season, the Sixers will join the New Jersey Devils and Cleveland Cavaliers in becoming the first professional sports teams in the nation to adopt the cutting edge projection-mapping technology permanently.
Image projection itself is not a novel concept in the NBA. In fact, the Sixers utilized the technology during the 2012 Playoffs. But this new system, developed by Quince Imaging, is a game-changer, projecting high-definition images onto a flat surface in order to create stunning effects that give the illusion of a third visual dimension. In the Sixers’ case, eight projectors installed throughout Wells Fargo Center will turn the arena floor into a 94-by-50 foot dynamic canvas.
While the Sixers and Cavaliers will be the first NBA teams to utilize image-mapping technology on a nightly basis, it was used last season by the Miami Heat during their 2013 championship ring presentation ceremony last October and by Cleveland during Zydrunas Ilgauskus’ jersey retirement ceremony in March.
A video clip of the Heat’s 2013 ring ceremony utilizing the technology can be seen in the video clip below.
Again, wins will be tough to come by for the Sixers next season. But at least they’re trying something new to keep the fans interested along the way.
