The NBA’s newest ref might be a camera, and its ball has a brain. Here’s what changes on your TV this season, and what to check before you link your fantasy team.
Sony cameras track every player in 3D, a 1-gram sensor is being tested inside the ball and Prime Video replays swoop through the play like a video game, friend. Here are the new features worth turning on and the account links to think twice about.
🤯 WOW! A sensor that weighs about as much as a paper clip is being tested inside an NBA basketball. It can tell who touched the ball last and whether a fingertip changed its spin. Hawk-Eye cameras already track every player in 3D. The robot ref is warming up on the bench.
The Short Version: The NBA is testing tech that could make some calls on its own, and fans get flashy new replays and stats this season. Here’s what to try, plus what to check before linking your accounts.
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The NBA season tipped off Tuesday. This year, the refs, the replays and even the ball have new help.
The league already tracks every player and the ball in 3D with Sony’s Hawk-Eye cameras, from the same company behind tennis line calls. The goal is to eventually make out-of-bounds and goaltending calls automatically.
Wilson is testing a ball with a sensor that weighs about 1 gram. It can tell who touched the ball last before it went out, and whether a fingertip changed its spin. Players in tests reportedly didn’t notice a difference.
It’s still a test, not making calls in real games. Commissioner Adam Silver has floated using it as soon as next season.
Draymond Green is wary of AI creeping into basketball, though he admits it could cut human mistakes. Every fan who has screamed at a TV knows which side they’re on.
🏀 What changes on your screen
- The camera flies. Amazon’s games on Prime Video add Prime 360. A ring of cameras captures every angle, and Amazon’s computers rebuild the play in 3D, so the replay swoops through the action like a video game camera. Prime opened its season Friday, Oct. 23, with Knicks-Celtics and Rockets-Spurs. It’s included with Prime.
- Ask the app anything. The NBA App has Ask NBA, a chatbot that answers questions about games, players and stats. “Who’s shooting best from three this month?” Done.
- A live game dashboard. Game Pulse in the NBA App shows a court map, shot charts, highlights and quick takes from legends like Gary Payton and Muggsy Bogues.
- New stats with funny names. A Handle Score grades how well a player dribbles. Your nephew will cite it at Thanksgiving.
💰 Before you link your accounts
Prime Video lets you link your Yahoo fantasy team and your FanDuel account, so your players and bets show up on screen. Fun, but you’re handing over more data about what you watch and what you wager.
- Only link what you’ll actually use.
- Check what’s connected in each app’s settings.
- Unlink when the season ends.
The machines are getting+ better at watching the game. Your couch is still the best seat in the house.
Why is a referee like an angry chicken? They both have foul mouths.
🗣️ Text/post this stat: The NBA is testing a basketball with a 1-gram sensor inside that can tell who touched it last. The robot ref is warming up. GetKim.com
📩 Send this to someone who yells at the ref through the TV.