The rise of artificial intelligence as a ubiquitous tool has changed the world — whether or not it has been for the better remains up for debate. But it’s hard to deny that AI being a tool that anyone can utilize at any time, with ChatGPT being a prominent example of something that millions use for research and even companionship, has been very useful. But little does everyone know that the NBA has had its own version of that artificial intelligence software in the form of Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James.
James drew an eye-opening comparison to ChatGPT from former Cleveland Cavaliers teammate Iman Shumpert, the 3-and-D guard with whom he won a title back in 2016.
“He is ChatGPT of the NBA, bro. This the best way I can describe [him]. He’s ChatGPT. That’s Bron. You can ask him anything, he know. He know the assistant coaches, he know the player development. He is really programmed for this,” Shumpert said in an appearance on the Club Shay Shay podcast, via @Ankara_inc on X (formerly Twitter).
“LeBron is the ChatGPT of the NBA”
Iman Shumpert just said LeBron memorized EVERY coaching system he’s ever played in and would override play calls mid-game because he already knew what the defense was doing
This is actually insane pic.twitter.com/vcVh1MZlIx
— _Chase
(@Ankara_inc) June 16, 2026
James, indeed, has the basketball processing capability of a supercomputer. He can digest coverages in real time and relay the necessary information to his teammates regarding how to adjust and how to one-up the opposition.
This is one of the main reasons as to why James remains an elite player even at age 41. The Lakers star is the smartest player on the court at all times, as he has seen every kind of defensive coverage or every kind of offensive set the league has to offer.
This was ever so apparent in the way he led the Lakers to a first-round series win over the Houston Rockets despite being shorthanded with Luka Doncic dealing with a calf injury. James knew when and how to pick his spots on both ends of the floor, remaining a superstar because of it.
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