- Bam Adebayo reveals he didn’t recruit Donovan Mitchell to Miami Heat
- Former NBA executive says Bam Adebayo’s defense has not been as ‘fearsome’ this season as it was in previous 2 campaigns
- Report: Omer Yurtseven cleared for high-impact work with hope to return after All-Star break
- Brian Windhorst thinks the Miami Heat need to make a trade because they have ‘one of the worst benches in the league’
- Report: Teams continue to call Miami Heat to gauge Kyle Lowry’s trade status
- Jimmy Butler makes heartfelt post for kid who traveled far to see him play: ‘Incredible kid that has an amazing life ahead of him’
- Kyle Lowry speaks out on trade rumors involving him and complaints from Miami Heat fans about his scoring
- Report: Heat began talking to Timberwolves about possible Kyle Lowry-D’Angelo Russell trade in December
- Shaquille O’Neal leaves Bam Adebayo off of his All-Star reserve ballot
- NBA executives believe the Miami Heat may not be willing to part with Caleb Martin for Cam Reddish
Report: Numerous Hall of Famers expected to be among virtual fans for Game 1 of NBA Finals
- Updated: September 30, 2020
When Game 1 of the NBA Finals tips off on Wednesday night between the Miami Heat and Los Angeles Lakers, an array of NBA legends will be among the virtual fans watching the game.
Among "virtual fans" expected for tonight's Heat-Lakers:
Bill Walton
Clyde Drexler
Dirk Nowitzki
Dwyane Wade
Isiah Thomas
James Worthy
Julius Erving
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Manu Ginobili
Pau Gasol
Ray Allen
Robert Horry
Robert Parish
Shaquille O’Neal
Chauncey Billups
Paul Pierce— Ira Winderman (@IraHeatBeat) September 30, 2020
The concept of the virtual fan was created as a result of the NBA’s safety protocol within the bubble, which decreed that no fans (other than selected family members) would actually be in attendance at the games.
Since the resumption of the NBA’s 2019-20 season in late July, virtual fans watching the games have largely been those who would ordinarily be attending their team’s contests.
However, with the finals having arrived, the NBA is safely welcoming some of the league’s more legendary players, with most already in the basketball Hall of Fame.
Some of those players, like Dwyane Wade, James Worthy and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, have direct connections to either the Heat or Lakers.
In the case of Shaquille O’Neal, he helped lead each of those franchises to NBA titles. From 2000 to 2002, O’Neal was a central component of the Lakers’ three consecutive championships, and after being traded to the Heat, teamed with Wade to capture the 2006 title.
While having such legends actually in attendance would be the ideal situation, the NBA is dealing with the current circumstances in the best way possible.
Related Posts
About Brad Sullivan
You must be logged in to post a comment Login