Artificial intelligence is no longer just a futuristic concept; it's here, and it's making waves in the NBA. From injury prevention to front-office analytics, AI is being embraced by teams looking for that competitive edge. But is this the future of basketball, or just another tech trend that will fade away?
Joe Tsai, the owner of the Brooklyn Nets and co-founder of Alibaba, recently shared his insights at CNBC’s ‘CONVERGE’ event in Singapore. While some are all-in on AI’s potential, others—especially those who’ve spent years in the game—aren’t so sure it belongs in basketball.
How AI is Revolutionizing the NBA
AI is already shaking things up in the NBA. Teams are using it to track player movements, predict injuries before they happen, and fine-tune their strategies. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has been vocal about AI’s potential, especially in keeping players healthy. But some teams, like the Philadelphia 76ers, are taking it even further, integrating AI into scouting and roster-building in ways that could completely change how talent is judged.
Philadelphia 76ers team president Daryl Morey recently revealed that his front office is using AI-driven language models to help make decisions. According to him, if these models end up being more accurate than traditional scouting, they could completely change how teams evaluate and sign players.
Not everyone’s on board with the AI movement in basketball. Former Sixers forward Marcus Morris Sr. had some blunt words about Morey’s reliance on technology. “I don’t trust Daryl Morey—I think he’s thinking too far ahead of the way basketball needs to be played,” Morris said. While he admitted AI can be useful for stats, he questioned its ability to measure things like leadership and team chemistry. “What has he won?” he added, taking a jab at Morey’s track record.
Joe Tsai’s Perspective: AI as a Tool, Not a Replacement
Morey and Morris might be focused on AI’s role in basketball, but Tsai is looking at the bigger picture. As a leader in both sports and business, he sees AI as a way to make work more efficient—not as something that should replace human expertise.
“AI won’t replace human beings, but it will enhance the quality of work,” Tsai explained. He pointed out how AI can handle research and data analysis, freeing up time for more important decisions.
Tsai also weighed in on artificial general intelligence (AGI)—the concept that AI could one day think and reason like a human. Some experts say it could happen as soon as 2028, but Tsai has his doubts, especially when it comes to AI grasping emotions and relationships. He compared it to parenting, saying that while AI can process massive amounts of data, it doesn’t have the instinct needed to navigate real-world human interactions.
At the heart of the debate is a simple question: How much should we trust AI over human judgment? AI can crunch numbers and spot trends, but it can’t replace the feel of the game—things like leadership, chemistry, and gut instincts.
Conclusion
Joe Tsai’s perspective suggests that the NBA should embrace AI as a tool while keeping the human element intact. The challenge moving forward? Figuring out how to blend AI’s advantages with the irreplaceable qualities that make basketball what it is.
Key Takeaways:
- AI is being used in the NBA for injury prevention and strategy optimization.
- The Philadelphia 76ers are pioneering AI in scouting and roster-building.
- There is skepticism about AI's ability to measure intangible qualities like leadership.
- Joe Tsai advocates for AI as a tool to enhance, not replace, human expertise.
- The future challenge lies in balancing AI's capabilities with human intuition.