The Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers are in the second-round series of the 2023 NBA playoffs. Sports networks constantly seem to be looking for the next great thing in the broadcast. TNT, however, may have taken that too far on Wednesday night.
During Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals, the network flew a drone over the TD garden floor to provide an additional camera angle. The primary camera of the game also made the drone very obvious.
The Celtics beat the Sixers despite Joel Embiid's return from injury on Wednesday, tying the series at 1-1.
TNT has been under fire from NBA fans for utilizing a drone camera during the game. The fans expressed disappointment over the networks experimenting during the NBA Playoffs and claimed that the Eastern Conference finals matchup coverage looks like a "video game."
Following the play, as the ball moved up the court on Wednesday, the drone flew over lower-level areas of TD Garden. During the first quarter, TNT alternates between the main feed and the camera affixed to the aircraft.
However, as the game progressed, some viewers noticed that the drone was visible in the main shot, floating around the frame, and it was distracting. Others criticized the drone camera's image quality, the additional field's lag time, and the unusual angle itself.
The small craft's image, as well as its appearance in the larger picture, were extensively mocked on social media. The outputs overshadowed Boston's solid first-half hard work, spearheaded by guard Jaylen Brown.
A fan posted, "Who at TNT approved the drone showing this game at 240P 10FPS?"
"I appreciate you are trying new things, TNT, but get this drone shot out here. The colors are off, and the frame rate doesn't match. Takes me out of the game", another said.
One said: "It's legitimately the worst thing I've ever seen on a sports broadcast. The picture sucks, and it's incredibly distracting."
And one wrote: "Felt (and looked) like a mid-90s video game shot."
This isn't the first time NBA fans have complained about TNT's coverage of the 2023 NBA Playoffs.
Viewers began comparing the drone and some of Turner Sports' more dubious NBA playoff aesthetic decisions. Some claimed the league was unintentionally going back in time. The supporters of Philadelphia vowed to intervene directly. More people questioned whether a postseason game was the appropriate setting or time for experimentation.
It is unclear whether the drone will return after Game 2 and whether the station will reintroduce it as a part of its rights-sharing agreement with ESPN.