NBA to use video game to pump in crowd noise for the season?

It’s now officially official. The 2019-20 NBA season will resume late next month at Walt Disney World in Orlando.

The season has been suspended since all the way back on March 11 due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic plaguing the United States. A total of 22 teams will take to the resort to close out the regular season with eight games each before the playoffs start.

Of course, no fans will be in attendance for the games. The NBA now has a plan to help with what promises to be an eerie scene in Orlando. According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, the league is considering using crowd noise from NBA 2K. This is not a drill.

2-3 preseason games. 1,600 maximum capacity in Orlando. No plan for anti-drug blood testing. Potential crowd noise via NBA 2K sounds.

Details at @TheAthleticNBA on the NBPA’s call with its Board and Player Reps: https://t.co/OiSdQosgvU
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 5, 2020

While some might conclude that this is going to be pretty strange, it sure the heck beats the alternative. The idea of LeBron James and his Lakers going up against Zion Williamson and the Pelicans in a quiet arena just doesn’t seem too appealing.

I am sure the NBA will work with entities who are among the most respected in the sound industry. For now, this could be a very interesting quirk as the NBA season resumes.