When asked about the current state of officiating on The Pat McAfee Show, NBA commissioner Adam Silver announced that the league is moving towards artificial intelligence to “take objective calls out of the hands of the referees”.
Silver has served as NBA commissioner for 12 years. During that time, he has faced plenty of criticism over the ideas, rules and systems he introduced.
His latest proposal could prove even more controversial, writes Rant Sport’s Wanga Charma.
NBA officiating controversies
This season has brought plenty of drama around NBA officiating.
Foul calls and free throws have caused particular frustration.
The issue has angered NBA fans, pundits, players and coaching staff.
Many people have called for changes to officiating. However, AI may not be the solution they expected.
Artificial intelligence already attracts plenty of debate. Those concerns could now move into the NBA.
If not AI, then what’s the solution?
The game seems to be slowly moving away from so-called ‘pure and ethical hoops’, and introducing AI will expedite that move.
Basketball, as it was played under former commissioner David Stern, used to be exciting, enticing and most of all pure.
Commissioner Stern ruled with an iron fist, but he always prioritised the on-the-court product and ensured the surrounding facets of the sport bettered or supported that product.
The Play-In Tournament, NBA Cup and now the newly implemented lottery system are all ideas Silver put into place to make the league more competitive and entertaining.
Yet, if AI officiating turns out to be an abysmal failure, the NBA could lose a substantial portion of its viewership.
There are so many other concerns within the NBA and the game of basketball that need more attention, but if Commissioner Silver wants to address the officiating, he should focus on improving and upskilling the current officials and keep the game of basketball pure and free of machine interference.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: French Open: ‘I want to quit tennis’ – Aryna Sabalenka after quarter-final loss to Diana Shnaider
