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Portland Trail Blazers: How to be a virtual fan in the NBA Bubble

By Stevie Cozens

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - JULY 31: NBA staff works the game while wearing masks as a digital board shows Washington Wizards virtual fans in the second half against the Phoenix Suns at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on July 31, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kim Klement - Pool/Getty Images)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - JULY 31: NBA staff works the game while wearing masks as a digital board shows Washington Wizards virtual fans in the second half against the Phoenix Suns at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on July 31, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kim Klement - Pool/Getty Images) /
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The NBA’s virtual fan experience has been an exciting part of the NBA’s return. The Portland Trail Blazers are giving fans an opportunity to be part of it.

The NBA has just returned from a four-month hiatus and is now playing games in the NBA Bubble in Orlando, Florida. With fans unable to attend games because of COVID-19, the NBA had a novel concept to introduce virtual fans who would show up on a screen behind the actual game.

The NBA lets each team decide who and how they fill the 300 odd spots in the arena. Several former NBA players have appeared so far, including Chris Bosh and Paul Pierce. In the Portland Trail Blazers matchup with the Boston Celtics, Jayson Tatum’s son Deuce was spotted next to Celtics legend Pierce.

https://twitter.com/NBCSCeltics/status/1290021388057817091

The Trail Blazers are giving fans a chance to be part of the NBA virtual fan experience for their game against the Philadelphia 76ers on August the 9th.

The ”Pup City” weekly festival that the Trail Blazers usually host on Rose Quarter won’t go ahead, as usual, this year because of COVID-19, but fans of the Blazers can still grab their dog and go for a walk on their own from August 26th – 30th.

https://twitter.com/trailblazers/status/1290452392798908416

By RSVPing for the walk, fans will get a chance to win a seat in the virtual fan zone.

Some sporting leagues around the world have used cardboard cutouts in the stands to fill the space where fans used to be. The NBA’s virtual fan experience is far superior to this, and when the crowd noise is added to the player’s vocal support in the arena, there is still a real NBA game vibe to the broadcast.

Take your dog for a walk, or keep an eye on the Blazers’ social media for other ways to put your name in the hat.

Next. How far can the Portland Trail Blazers’ new two-big lineup take them in 2020?. dark