Detroit Pistons vs. Chicago Bulls - NBA Air Cam Highlights (Christmas 1996)

December 25, 1996 - In 1996, NBC introduced the Air Cam, a remote controlled camera suspended above the court by multiple wires intended to provide audiences with a unique look at NBA basketball action. While the camera found favor among many, certain shortcomings (an inability to clearly see the far corner, a tendency for viewers to become disoriented) led to the innovation's short life span. Here, the Air Cam is on full display for a marquee Christmas Day matchup between the 24-3 Chicago Bulls and the 20-5 Detroit Pistons. While the NBC broadcast juggled between the Air Cam and a more traditional press box angle, only highlights from the Air Cam are shown above. In the end, the Bulls defeated the Pistons for the second time of the season, prevailing 95-83. Chicago would go on to win their second consecutive NBA title six months later (their fifth in seven years). The Pistons, meanwhile, won 54 games but faltered down the stretch, entering the playoffs as a fifth seed and falling to the Atlanta Hawks in the first round. Box Score: https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199612250CHI.html