INDIANAPOLIS (AP) – The NBA has been using artificial intelligence for some time. It helps the league generate highlights in real-time, assists referees in determining if there has been goaltending, translates play-by-play into multiple languages, and even powers the league’s official app. To do.
And more is definitely on the way.
The league announced NB-AI, a technology that the league says will “personalize the live game viewing experience,” at its annual All-Star Technology Summit on Friday. Commissioner Adam Silver kicked off the event by giving some examples of how it works. Assisted San Antonio rookie and No. 1 overall draft pick Victor Wembaneyama.
Highlights: Filmed and recreated real NBA game clips Like the Spider-Man movies.
“Today, AI is creating the same kind of excitement that we saw in the early days of the internet,” Silver says. “Most of us intuitively feel that artificial intelligence will change our lives. The question, at least for me, is: ‘How?'”
Wenbanyama previewed the latest technology during a rehearsal for the Technology Summit on Thursday.
“It’s unbelievable,” Wenbanyama said. “It’s still in its early stages. Only the future will tell how it will turn out.”
slam dunk contest
Mac McClung’s life changed dramatically last year when he won the All-Star Saturday Night Dunk Contest.
And now he’s trying to do it again.
McClung, who plays for the G League’s Osceola Magic, is looking to join Michael Jordan, Jason Richardson, Nate Robinson and Zach LaVine as the only consecutive Dunk Contest winners. He will face Boston’s Jaylen Brown, Miami’s Jaime Jaquez Jr. and New York’s Jacob Toppin on Saturday night.
“I think I’m more nervous this time. I think there’s a little bit more pressure,” McClung said. “But I’m just reminding myself to enjoy it. We’ve been working hard so I hope it all pays off.”
McClung suggested keeping an eye on replays to see what he had planned for the 35,000 fans expected to attend the marquee attraction Saturday night at Lucas Oil Stadium. Other than that, he didn’t leave many hints.
How has his life changed?
“Going to the airport is a little different now than going (to eat out), but mostly it’s all good,” McClung said.
This is Brown’s first All-Star selection in the dunk contest since 2018.
“The last few dunk contests, not even an All-Star or one of the top players in the league was able to dunk,” San Antonio forward Jeremy Sochan said. “Maybe if he does that, it’ll be the catalyst for the All-Stars and the best players in the league to come back and start the dunk contest.”
Jaquez said the decision-making process regarding participating in the contest was simple, that the NBA called and asked, and he said yes.
“It was very easy,” Jaquez said.
Chet’s debut
Oklahoma City forward Chet Holmgren missed every game last season. He hasn’t missed a game this season and was making his weekend All-Star debut at Friday’s Rising Stars event.
“It’s a blessing to be here,” Holmgren said. “I’m really grateful. I don’t take it for granted, especially knowing it could be taken away at any time.”
Scoot, round 3
Most of the 28 players who suited up for Friday’s Rising Stars game are rookies for the All-Star weekend. Indiana Pacers guard Benedict Mathurin, Sacramento Kings forward Keegan Murray, and Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler received first-team All-Rookie honors last season before earning encore performances. I’m coming to Indy for this.
However, the most experienced player in the game is 20-year-old Scoot Henderson. The Portland Trail Blazers rookie has played in the G League Elite each of the past two seasons and could return next year for an unprecedented fourth appearance.
“I didn’t have to come here for the first two years,” he says. “It was a huge opportunity, especially for the G League and the Elite. So I’m grateful for this opportunity. … I think my mindset going into it is to go out there and hoo hoo and just be myself. .”
clark fan
If Caitlin Clark, currently the NCAA Division I women’s leading scorer, enters the WNBA Draft this year, she will likely head to Indianapolis. The Indiana Fever has the No. 1 overall pick and could pair Clark with current Rookie of the Year Aliyah Boston.
Pacers winger Benedict Mathurin hopes that happens.
Asked about Clark coming to Indy, Mathurin said, “That would be great.” “She’s a great player. She’s unbelievable. She’s going to be great when she comes to Indy.”
Umpire
All-Star weekend isn’t just for the players. Some judges are invited to attend events.
The NBA has selected Tony Brothers, Josh Tibbons and Derrick Collins to host Sunday’s All-Star Game. They probably won’t need to do much other than direct 3-point shots. A total of seven fouls were called and four free throws were awarded in last year’s All-Star Game. Donovan Mitchell was 2-for-2 with two hits. Jayson Tatum was 2-for-1 with a hit.
He was also chosen to rep the Rising Stars game and All-Star Saturday Night: John Butler, Brett Nansel, and Jenna Schroder.
Quotable
San Antonio rookie and No. 1 draft pick Victor Wembaneyama spoke about his progress and growth Friday. “I’ve been told all my life not to skip stairs, but that didn’t stop me from running up them.”
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Associated Press writer Mark Ambrogi contributed to this report.
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