NEW YORK (AP) — On Christmas Day, basketball fans can look forward to a unique game at Walt Disney World featuring beloved characters like Mickey, Minnie, and Goofy, along with NBA sensation Victor Wembanyama.
The main game, however, unfolds at Madison Square Garden, where Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs will square off against the New York Knicks. This highly anticipated matchup will be broadcast live on ABC and ESPN, with streaming available on Disney+ and ESPN+. For the first time in NBA history, fans can enjoy an animated version of the game on ESPN2, also accessible via Disney+ and ESPN+.
Located at the Magic Kingdom’s Main Street USA, the “Dunk the Halls” game will take place in a festive setting featuring Cinderella’s castle and the iconic train station, making it a grand backdrop for a holiday basketball showdown. This fusion of Christmas holiday magic with basketball creates an unforgettable atmosphere, as countless families have previously posed for photos in this location.
The story, reminiscent of classic Disney magic, begins with Mickey Mouse writing a letter to Santa Claus, requesting a chance to host a basketball game. In a delightful twist, Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, and Donald Duck will join NBA players on the court, with Goofy and Donald stepping in for Knicks players while Mickey and Minnie don the Spurs’ colors.
Phil Orlins, an ESPN vice president of production, humorously noted, “It looks to me like Goofy and Jalen Brunson have a really good pick-and-roll at the elite level.” The concept merges the charm of animation with thrilling basketball action.
Walt Disney World previously set the stage for actual NBA games in 2020, when the league held games at the ESPN Wide World of Sports to safely complete the season disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The idea of an animated game builds on that experience while adding a whimsical layer.
The animated telecast required meticulous detail, especially as players are not helmeted like in other sports. David Sparrgrove, ESPN’s senior director of creative animation, explained, “This is a level of detail that we’ve never gone, that we’ve never done on any other broadcast.” Wembanyama’s stature as a 7-foot-3 player presented a unique challenge for the animation team, balancing his physical presence against animated characters like mice and ducks.
Drew Carter, who will provide play-by-play commentary in the animated realm alongside sideline reporter Daisy Duck, pointed out how seeing Wembanyama in person is akin to witnessing an extraterrestrial on the court, remarking, “I think we kind of captured that in his animated character.”
This Spurs-Knicks matchup kicks off the NBA’s five-game Christmas lineup, strategically set to start at noon EST, making it a prime viewing hour in France where Wembanyama hails from. The matchup follows the “Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade,” creating an ideal lead-in for what promises to be a spectacular broadcast.
Acknowledging that some viewers may be more familiar with Disney than basketball, ESPN will provide 10 educational segments to clarify basketball terminology and rules, enhancing the viewing experience for newcomers.
Utilizing advanced visualization technology from Beyond Sports and Sony’s Hawk-Eye tracking, the animated players will mirror the real-time movements and plays from Madison Square Garden. Analysts McNutt and Carter will don VR headsets to engage in the vibrant atmosphere from Main Street, USA, delivering a fully immersive experience.
The production promises to include familiar animated faces, such as NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, who will judge a halftime dunk contest featuring Mickey and friends, and Santa Claus himself operating ESPN’s “SkyCam” during the game.
Spurs veteran Chris Paul expressed his excitement, stating, “It’s going to be so crazy to see the game animated. I think what’s dope about it is it will give kids another opportunity to watch a game and to see us, basically, as characters.” This innovative approach aims not only to entertain but also to foster interest in basketball among younger audiences.
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