Former President Barack Obama attended last night's Game 1 of the Heat-Lakers NBA Finals "as a virtual fan." He was "seated in the front row next to former Lakers stars Shaquille O’Neal and James Worthy." The NBA "brought out big names and former champions for its virtual crowd," including Bill Walton, Dirk Nowitzki, Julius Erving, Robert Parish and Paul Pierce. The league "has used virtual fans throughout its restart inside the bubble." Among the "celebrity appearances, singer Halsey has been a virtual fan for the Lakers" (USA TODAY, 10/1).
Before Game 1, ABC aired a special edition of “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” with host Jimmy Kimmel saying, “We are coming to you from L.A., home of the Lakers, and just like at the games, we have a lot of fake cheering.” Kimmel: “The players have been in the bubble in Orlando since July, which will be funny when somebody says, ‘You just won the NBA championship, where are you going?’ And the MVP says, ‘I’m staying right here at Disney World.’” Kimmel noted this is LeBron James’ 10th NBA Finals appearance with three different teams: "If he wins at the Lakers, he says next year, he’s going to sign with the Pittsburgh Penguins to win a Stanley Cup.”
The pregame Kimmel broadcast also aired an edition of “NBA All-Star Mean Tweets” (“Jimmy Kimmel Live Game Night,” ABC, 9/30).
