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Pistons, Hawks strongest contenders to sign Nickeil Alexander-Walker
At lunchtime Saturday, Jake reported that Detroit has emerged as a team with interest in joining the race for Nickeil Alexander-Walker. On Sunday morning? Based on the Intel we've gathered, The Stein Line is being advised to describe the Pistons and Atlanta as the two strongest contenders to come to terms with two-way guard after free agency commences for real Monday night at 6 PM ET.
As first revealed in this rich-with-Intel story Monday, as the Bucks continue to evaluate a number of avenues to try to improve the supporting cast around Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, Milwaukee and Washington have held discussions regarding Kyle Kuzma, league sources say.
“I think, probably not? I’d be very surprised if it did,” said one executive from a team currently not in position to draft Miller in his current expected range. Said another executive, whose team also isn’t in the running: “I don’t believe there will be any impact unless he lies in his interviews. Integrity is more relevant than criminal friends; one we can fix, the other, we can’t.” Said a third, whose team … could be: “I don’t think it will impact his draft stock unless he ends up being charged with something.” Said a fourth (ditto): “Intel (on Miller) is coming back pretty good.”
Led by commissioner Adam Silver, the NBA has been at the forefront of the world of sports technology for the last four years. Under Silver, the league has embraced data, social media, esports, and now sports betting. Over just the last 12 months, the league formed a partnership with Intel’s venture capital arm called the “NBA + Intel Capital Emerging Technology Initiative” and expanded options through its League Pass service to include nightly virtual reality content and the ability to watch just the fourth quarter of NBA games. The NBA has entered into sports betting data partnerships with MGM Resorts in the U.S., and with Genius Sports and Sportradar globally.
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The National Basketball Association and Intel are teaming up on a joint effort to fund promising companies that blend technology with sports and entertainment. The new Emerging Technology Initiative will be a collaborative effort between a team at the NBA working closely with the Intel Capital group to identify challenges that may benefit from a technology solution or technology companies with services that can enhance how fans experience NBA games.
Magic Gaming is set to play its first games on Thursday, May 3 as part of “THE TIPOFF” tournament. All games will be streamed live on Twitch. “THE TIPOFF” tournament schedule runs May 1-5. “THE TIPOFF” will officially begin the 15-week regular season, which features both weekly games and tournaments, and concludes with the NBA 2K League Playoffs and Finals in August. All competition will take place at the NBA 2K League Studio Powered by Intel in New York City.
LeBron James has partnered with another powerful technology company. James signed an endorsement deal with Intel that will enable the tech giant to use him in a commercial that will air during Saturday's Final Four games.
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The ad highlights Intel's 360 replay technology, which it has used at recent sporting events, including Super Bowl LI and CBS' Final Four games on Saturday and Monday. The system was built by Intel and uses 28 cameras that broadcast in 5K to pull off the new-age version of a highlight. "From a brand standpoint, we want fans to associate Intel technology with amazing experiences," said Intel chief marketing officer Steve Fund. "So we're picking the best of the best to tell that story."
Intel said today it is expanding the use of its 360-degree replay technology for the NBA Conference Finals and The Finals. Intel acquired startup Replay Technologies, which built the technology by setting up dozens of ultra high-definition cameras to capture the video from all angles. It then uses massive Intel server processing power to create 3D views of the video, allowing the broadcasters to freeze the action and then rotate the view.
The league will provide uniforms, practice courts and a clinic for coaches. All the games will be held at the Inspire Courts in Gilbert. Companies will pay a fee for every team, and each team can have up to 15 players. The Arizona Corporate League will sponsor a maximum of 20 teams for each sport. Johnson, 53, said games in his league will start in February 2013, but some companies already have enrolled teams, including Intel Corp. in Chandler and Cox Communications in the Valley. Johnson said he has talked with many other companies about joining.
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