Video: Stunning pre-game 3-D projection lights up NBA ceremony

The Cleveland Cavaliers have endured a wretched time in the NBA so far this season with their playoff hopes hanging by a thread in a poor Eastern conference.

To add to the fans’ woes, the Cavs are currently without All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving who is battling a bicep injury and is expected to miss at least a further two weeks.

Thankfully for those in Cleveland, the franchise last week gave them something to cheer about on the court – even if it was a little different to what they would’ve hoped for.

As part of the retirement ceremony of former centre Zydrunas Ilguaskas’s number prior to their game with the New York Knicks, an incredible on-court projection relived some of the Cavs’ more illustrious past including, of course, Ilguaskas in action.

It was a fitting tribute to the 7-foot-3 Lithuanian who was drafted way back in 1996 and went on to be a two-time All-Star and one of the franchise’s finest ever players.

As one of not only the Cavs but the game's greatest ever players LeBron James was conspicuously missing from the highlight reel, although the reigning MVP is still derided by many Cleveland fans for leaving the side as a free agent in 2010.

LeBron’s absence aside though, it is a phenomenal piece of engineering and artistry befitting another legend of the game in Cleveland.

Quince Imaging, who designed the 3-D projection, have previously made similar creations for NBA franchises, including the Miami Heat when last year’s NBA champions were presented with their rings in a special ceremony a few months ago.

Hat-tip: AllBall