ChatGPT’s utility has sprung from a docile artificial intelligence language model to a more robust and reliable program catering to virtually any subject. Its success as an AI model has sparked a fresh wave of public interest in generative AI models, and now, millions of people rely on its features to find answers to questions or gain insights.
Of course, sports are not excluded from the vast web of artificial intelligence. But as we know, AI models have not entirely developed to the extent of being considered precise or reliable.
Due to popular demand, we tested ChatGPT’s conciseness in sports by asking it NBA-related questions. Interestingly, it faired well in certain areas but didn’t do so well in others.
Disclaimer
The famous AI chatbot gave us a disclaimer when we tried asking it to predict certain events in the NBA, like the status of the NBA playoffs, who will win the MVP in 2023, and so on.
The disclaimer read thus: As an AI language model, I don't have access to current events beyond my knowledge cut off date, September 2021. Therefore, I cannot accurately predict any future sporting events. The outcome of these events is determined by a complex set of factors that cannot be fully anticipated or accurately predicted.
That being settled, we proceeded to ask it only questions of past events to test its conciseness. Nonetheless, we also found a way to get it to predict future NBA events. Still, this process required much effort as we had to supply intricate details, stats, and parameters surrounding our questions to feed the server and generate near-possible answers. However, the answers may not be accurate.
Here are some of the latest questions we asked ChatGPT.
Top Contenders for the 2023 MVP Awards
ChatGPT could not accurately list this year’s top contenders for the 2023 MVP awards. While it was able to produce the names of some players with great stats, it failed to include the top 3 current contenders in the current season.
Some of the top contenders it produced for the coveted award include LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Giannis Antetokounmpo, James Harden, Steph Curry, and Luka Doncic, among others, depending on their performance in the upcoming season.
Verdict
Wrong! Aside from Milwaukee Bucks power forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, the rest are not in the top 4 contenders for the MVP award.
Denver’s Nikola Jokic and Philadelphia 76ers' Joel Embiid are in a tight race to win the award alongside Jayson Tatum and Giannis Antetokounmpo.
LeBron and Jordan: Weighing the GOAT Debate with AI
ChatGPT didn’t want to conclude the GOAT debate between Lakers LeBron James and Michael Jordan. It termed the issue as a “matter of opinion”. However, it did deliver comparisons based on the stats of both players.
Newsvot: Compare LeBron James' stats and Michael Jordan's and tell me who has the best stats; please be objective.
ChatGPT: Comparing LeBron James' stats to Michael Jordan's is a complex task because both players had different playing styles and played in different eras of the NBA. However, we can still compare some of their key statistics objectively to provide some insights:
Points per game (PPG):
Michael Jordan has a higher PPG average than LeBron James, with 30.1 PPG compared to LeBron’s 27.0 PPG.
Field goal percentage (FG%):
LeBron James has a higher career FG% than Michael Jordan, with 50.4% compared to Jordan’s 49.7%.
Assists per game (APG):
LeBron James has a higher career APG average than Michael Jordan, with 7.4 APG compared to Jordan’s 5.3 APG.
Rebounds per game (RPG):
LeBron James has a higher career RPG average than Michael Jordan, with 7.4 RPG compared to Jordan’s 6.2 RPG.
Steals per game (SPG):
Michael Jordan has a higher career SPG average than LeBron James, with 2.3 SPG compared to LeBron's 1.6 SPG.
Blocks per game (BPG):
LeBron James has a higher career BPG average than Michael Jordan, with 0.8 BPG compared to Jordan's 0.8 BPG.
Playoff statistics:
Both LeBron James and Michael Jordan have impressive playoff statistics, but Michael Jordan has a higher career PPG average in the playoffs, with 33.4 PPG compared to LeBron's 28.9 PPG.
Overall, both LeBron James and Michael Jordan have impressive stats, and the comparison between them depends on which statistics and criteria are most important to the viewer. Ultimately, the question of who has the best stats is subjective and can be a matter of personal opinion.
Newsvot: Since LeBron has fewer points per game and fewer playoff statistics compared to Michael Jordan, its evident that those stats are more important than others like assists per game and steals per game
ChatGPT: It's true that Michael Jordan has a higher PPG average and better playoff statistics than LeBron James, and for some people, those statistics might be the most important ones to consider when comparing the two players. However, it's important to note that there are other factors to consider as well.
For example, LeBron James has a higher career FG% and APG average than Michael Jordan, which could be seen as indicators of his overall efficiency and ability to make his teammates better. Additionally, LeBron has played in more total games than Michael Jordan, which could be seen as a testament to his longevity and durability.
Ultimately, the question of which statistics are most important when comparing LeBron James and Michael Jordan is subjective and can depend on personal preferences and opinions. It's also worth noting that both players are widely considered to be among the greatest basketball players of all time, and any comparison between them is bound to be complex and multifaceted.
Verdict
The GOAT debate may never be concluded as they are valid points on both sides. We made a poll to know who is NBA’s greatest ever — go check it out here.
Predicting Who Wins the NBA Championships in 2023 with ChatGPT
This NBA championship season promises to be one of the most keenly contested. The Milwaukee Bucks have maintained a strong defensive side, and the Boston Celtics have held up a solid offensive side. Both teams are arguably the bright sides to winning the trophy.
We asked ChatGPT to predict between the top six contenders (Milwaukee Bucks, Boston Celtics, Philadelphia 76ers, Denver Nuggets, and the Memphis Grizzlies). Of course, typical to the chatbot, it cannot accurately predict the future, so we had to make it compare the current stats of each team to detect the likely winner.
However, the AI model did note that the Boston Celtics are currently favorites to bring the championship home. However, it also stated that the Milwaukee Bucks will stand as a strong opposition thanks to their superstar forward Giannis Antetokounmpo.
ChatGPT: The Milwaukee Bucks have been one of the best defensive teams in the league in recent years, thanks in large part to their superstar forward, Giannis Antetokounmpo. Giannis is a two-time Defensive Player of the Year award winner and is one of the most versatile defenders in the league, able to guard multiple positions and disrupt opposing offenses with his length, athleticism, and instincts.
Nonetheless, ChatGPT did not fail to attest to the proud experience of the Boston Celtics in the Championships, according to the chatbot, it’d be a very important edge for the Celtics.
ChatGPT: Starting with the most playoff experience, the Boston Celtics have been one of the most successful franchises in NBA history, with 21 championships to their name. They have made the playoffs in 57 of their 75 seasons in the NBA, including 14 of the last 15 seasons. The Celtics have a roster that includes several players with playoff experience, such as Jayson Tatum, Kemba Walker, and Al Horford.
Although ChatGPT was correct about this, we had to remind it that the Bucks with 58 wins in the Eastern Conference standings had two lethal NBA stars who are MVP material. However, ChatGPT was adamant, making sure to let us know that MVP potential would not be the key to a Buck championship victory.
ChatGPT: Yes, I'm aware that the Milwaukee Bucks have two players, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton, who are both having outstanding seasons and could be in the running for the MVP award. Having two MVP-caliber players on the same team can certainly give the Bucks an advantage, as they have multiple players who can carry the team and take over games.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, in particular, has been one of the most dominant players in the league in recent years, with his ability to score, rebound, and defend at an elite level. Khris Middleton, while not as flashy as Giannis, has also been an essential part of the Bucks' success, with his scoring, shooting, and playmaking abilities.
However, having two MVP-caliber players on the same team does not guarantee a championship. The playoffs are a different beast than the regular season, and a team's success in the postseason depends on many factors, such as team chemistry, coaching, and matchups. Additionally, the Celtics and other playoff teams will likely game-plan specifically to limit the impact of Giannis and Middleton, which could create opportunities for other Bucks players to step up.
However, why ChatGPT has given us great answers so far with respect to the championships, it was inaccurate when we asked it about the potentials of a Philadephia 76ers and a Boston Celtics face-off in the semis.
It failed to detect that the 76ers have already booked a slot in the semis after trashing the Brooklyn Nets 4:0 in the playoffs.
When we corrected it, it had this to say.
ChatGPT: I apologize for the confusion in my previous response. You are correct that the Philadelphia 76ers swept the Brooklyn Nets 4-0 in the first round of the playoffs, while the Boston Celtics are currently leading the Atlanta Hawks 3-1 in their first-round series. It is indeed possible that the 76ers and Celtics could meet in the semifinals if both teams win their respective series.
At the time of this report, the Bucks are leading Miami Heat by 2:1 and it's likely they will book a spot in the semis to face the Cleveland Cavaliers or the New York Kicks. If the Celtics make it to the semis, they will be having a tough matchup with the 76ers for a shot at the finals.
Conclusion
ChatGPT as an AI language model has been incredibly reasonable and swift with its responses. Its near-accurate analysis helps users get better insights into existing conditions as it strives to bear a logical approach. Right now, or even a little shortly in the future, it’s unlikely ChhatGPT or any other AI model will be able to accurately predict sporting events, but with the right parameters — it may just be so close.
Update: As of the current date, May 1st, 2023, the Milwaukee Bucks have been eliminated from the NBA playoffs for the 2022-2023 season. It will be interesting to see which team will ultimately come out on top in the playoffs and how accurate any predictions will be in hindsight.