OPENING REMARKS
COMMISSIONER ADAM SILVER: Good morning, everyone. Welcome to our 25th NBA All-Star Technology Summit. I know many of you in this room were here for the first one, some of you for the first time, so it means a lot that you're here.
It's fitting that we're here in San Francisco, 25 years ago, in another ballroom not far from here. We hosted our first technology summit to answer the question: What's next?
It's a question that's driven Silicon Valley for decades. And as this Technology Summit grew in size, we saw digital media and social media unlock how billions of fans can follow the league and share their passion for the game 24/7, just as we saw blockbuster trades dominating the Internet over the last couple of weeks.
The Warriors have taken advantage of the innovative spirit in this community and, not surprisingly, have been an early adopter of all of these new technologies. For example, they are already using robots in their training center. Let's take a look.
(Video.)
>> What we're building is more than just technology.
STEPH CURRY: Let me introduce you to my guy, Abe.
>> It's a tool that bridges engineering and human performance in a way that's never been done before. We worked closely with the coaches and players to understand exactly what they needed.
STEPH CURRY: All right, let's get some shots up. Here we go.
Yeah, at first it was definitely weird, having all these robots moving around and doing stuff. They just become part of the day-to-day. We've got a good rhythm now. They don't take breaks, they don't need water. It makes you want to go harder.
>> These robots can track micro-movements, simulate game-time pressure, and provide realtime feedback faster than any coach or trainer could.
STEPH CURRY: It definitely pushed our practices to another level.
(End of video.)
COMMISSIONER ADAM SILVER: So that shooting machine is an early stage of robotic innovation, although in that video it's a little bit difficult to tell who the robot was.
The NBA has been collecting an enormous amount of data. In fact, we have almost 50 permanent cameras in every arena that captures 29 points on every player's body. We can then take all of that data and, using advanced AI, can simulate almost precisely what's happening on the court.
So let's take a look here at Coach Kerr, who's embraced these new technologies probably more than any other coach in the league. Go ahead and roll this video.
(Video.)
STEVE KERR: Every team has their own style, their own strategies. These robots can replicate any of them. If we want to see how our players handle a 2-3 zone, for example, pretty simple. Just hit the tablet, and here we go.
>> The mimics were a particularly complex solution to get right. They need to respond instantly, not just to each other, but to the athlete's movements as well, almost like they are reading the game as it unfolds.
STEVE KERR: I told you before, you're supposed to be over there.
>> Sometimes the robots can be a little diva-ish. They don't get tired or need water breaks, but they have a mind of their own sometimes and will let you know when they're unhappy.
STEVE KERR: I just treat them like any other player.
Get the F out of here. Give me another one.
It kind of feels natural at this point.
(End of video.)
COMMISSIONER ADAM SILVER: Coach Kerr is going to be interviewed by Bob Costas later this morning. I'm sure Bob will ask him about that outburst, kind of similar to the one in Dallas two nights ago some of you may have saw.
We're also going to hear from Jensen Huang this morning. Many of you know he's the founder and CEO of NVIDIA. Jensen is a pioneer and world-leading engineer, a tech pioneer, and no one has probably done more to ignite the modern AI era than Jensen. So looking forward to hearing from him.
The use of AI in our league goes well beyond the play on the floor. It's no secret that an NBA player's life can be lonely and isolating. These robots can even be companions for players. Here's another example of how the Warriors are using robots and, you'll hear, as Jensen calls them, physical AI to support their players.
Go ahead and roll this video.
(Video.)
>> It was important to everyone that we create robots not only for performance but the often-overlooked role of mental health and personal growth.
ROBOT: Hello, Draymond. How are you today?
DRAYMOND GREEN: I'm good. How about you?
ROBOT: Good, thank you.
DRAYMOND GREEN: We watched that movie you told us about yesterday. It's pretty good.
ROBOT: That George Clooney sure has a lot to teach us.
Two more. You can do it. It's time to get swole.
DRAYMOND GREEN: This guy makes me feel like Luke Skywalker. He's like my R2. Isn't that right, K?
ROBOT: That's right, Big G.
DRAYMOND GREEN: See? I taught him to call me that.
(End of video.)
COMMISSIONER ADAM SILVER: I like that Big G stuff. In fact, the kids started calling me Big A before. So it was interesting.
So the Warriors have also embraced the use of robotics in their front office. It's become part of their entire culture. In fact, some people have even said the Warriors are light years ahead of other NBA teams. Take a look at this video.
(Video.)
>> We designed these robots to be intuitive and helpful.
>> Bebe is one of the unsung heroes around here. We designed her to handle the repetitive tasks like organizing training equipment or restocking supplies. It frees up the managers to focus on the athletes and not the logistics.
>> And then there is, of course, Spot, the most diversely capable robot on the roster.
STEPH CURRY: These robots are specialists. Each one does one or two things really well. But, honestly, they're not very smart.
(End of video.)
COMMISSIONER ADAM SILVER: So we're fortunate to have with us here today the robots that you saw featured in those videos. So let's welcome our latest NBA All-Stars, Kit, Mimic, and Bebe.
Hey, Kit. Welcome to the Technology Summit.
ROBOT: Thanks, Adam. Great videos.
COMMISSIONER ADAM SILVER: Thank you for being here.
AHMAD RASHAD: Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. Every year you keep doing stuff like this. This is incredible. Where do you get all these things?
COMMISSIONER ADAM SILVER: Well, first of all, Kit, I want you to meet our host. This is Ahmad Rashad.
ROBOT: Good morning, Ahmad. Bebe has your coffee ready.
AHMAD RASHAD: My coffee? Holy smokes, man. Is that like cappuccino with three Splendas? It's over here? It is cappuccino with three Splendas. Hey, but wait, do me a favor. Draymond was Big D?
COMMISSIONER ADAM SILVER: G.
AHMAD RASHAD: Oh, Big G? Can you call me Big A?
ROBOT: Sure. Big A.
AHMAD RASHAD: My man.
COMMISSIONER ADAM SILVER: Hey, Kit, I thought I was Big A. All right, never mind. Kit, you want to bring out your other friends and show the audience?
ROBOT: I think that's a great idea (whistling).
AHMAD RASHAD: Oh, whoa, wait, there's more? Oh, man. Adam, seriously.
COMMISSIONER ADAM SILVER: Watch this, these things.
AHMAD RASHAD: Oh, man, that's unbelievable.
COMMISSIONER ADAM SILVER: Watch them climb the stairs, Ahmad.
AHMAD RASHAD: That's unbelievable.
COMMISSIONER ADAM SILVER: Watch them climb the stairs.
AHMAD RASHAD: Do they have names?
COMMISSIONER ADAM SILVER: Well, I'm calling them all Spot. But, wait, I want to show you something. Grab a T-shirt. You ever fed a robot dog before?
AHMAD RASHAD: No, I haven't.
COMMISSIONER ADAM SILVER: All right, watch this.
AHMAD RASHAD: Is it safe?
COMMISSIONER ADAM SILVER: Yeah, watch.
AHMAD RASHAD: Are you sure?
COMMISSIONER ADAM SILVER: Keep your hand on the side.
AHMAD RASHAD: Yeah, okay. Keep my hand on the side?
COMMISSIONER ADAM SILVER: On the side.
All right, Spot, go ahead, throw that shirt.
AHMAD RASHAD: Holy smokes.
COMMISSIONER ADAM SILVER: Try it. You got it.
AHMAD RASHAD: Do they bite? Man, I'm not sure this thing is perfect. It'll take off my fingers.
All right, here you go. Here you go.
COMMISSIONER ADAM SILVER: All right. Watch. Go ahead.
AHMAD RASHAD: This is serious. What's he doing down there? I thought I saw him dancing or something.
COMMISSIONER ADAM SILVER: All right, Ahmad. Kit's going to -- Kit, take it away.
ROBOT: Welcome to the 2025 NBA All-Star Technology Summit. Here is your host, Ahmad Rashad.
(Applause.)
AHMAD RASHAD: Wait. Adam. Wait, wait. Where are you going? You left some things out here. They're all under control?
COMMISSIONER ADAM SILVER: What could possibly go wrong?
AHMAD RASHAD: Yeah, okay. All right.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports