LeBron James of the Cavaliers shoots against the Warriors in Game 2 of the 2018 NBA Finals. Fans with the NBA app can try their hand at shooting, too.(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Before the start of the 2017-18 NBA season, the league launched an augmented reality app, NBA AR, to try to bring fans closer to the game. At first the app featured just a virtual pop-a-shot, but during the playoffs, the league added 360-degree portals. SportTechie took a quick look at what the app experience is like for fans.
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The first feature on the iOS and Android app was pop-a-shot. To try your hand at this, just point your camera at an open space, tap your screen, and a hoop should appear.
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To grab a ball, tap the screen again. To shoot, you flick your phone forwards. The goal is to make as many baskets as possible in the allotted amount of time.
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The new 360 portals mode works in a similar way. You point your phone’s camera somewhere, tap the screen, and a doorway appears.
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Take a few steps forward into the doorway and all of a sudden you’re transported inside an NBA arena. You can watch Kevin Durant warm up, enjoy the Cavaliers’ introductions, sit front row at a Warriors game, get inside the Celtics’ huddle, or watch Anthony Davis slam dunk.
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And when you’re done inside the virtual world, just turn around and you’ll find the portal that takes you home.
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Source: Sport Techie