Virtual reality is all the rage in many corners of entertainment as many outlets try to craft more immersive experiences for their customers. The NBA is no different and is now offering fans a chance to witness NBA action at home that feels like the experience courtside.NextVR is a mobile app that allows users with an NBA League Pass subscription to view the game in a way that most spectators would never get to experience otherwise by incorporating games presented through virtual reality headsets.Danny Keens is the vice president of content at NextVR and he told CBS News that their product is a dramatic change from how people normally consume NBA games. The experience can’t just be a bigger screen and higher definition.Keens said: “We can’t just be different from traditional television; we have to be better than television and we can’t be different from being at the game. We have to be better than being at the game.”Anyone who has been to a live sporting event will quickly say that the in-arena experience has no peer because of the atmosphere and the possibility of seeing professional athletes’ insane athleticism up close rather than on a screen.

As you can see by the footage above, the speed and force of a player like Russell Westbrook comes through much more strongly in VR than it does on television.

Players like him constantly get talked about on social media for their daring drives, but seeing it from these angles and at that speed is completely mind-blowing. Jimmy Butler and DeMar DeRozan also make multiple appearances in that clip and their speed is noticeable.

The technology presents exciting new ways for fans to appreciate their favourite players in a new setting. NextVR has incorporated entire camera crews for their live broadcast of league games with eight unmanned cameras set up around the venue.

As technology progresses, there will be more broadcasts added to the weekly slate. There has already been an increase from a single game a week to multiple ones after the initial response to NextVR coverage.

Another benefit to this type of coverage is that it adds to the immersion because of the lack of access to a second screen while the game is going on. While that likely means no Twitter, and the wonderful memes, that also means that you can enjoy the game without clutter.

Honestly, more basketball is a great thing, and technology keeps finding ways to give fans more basketball.