"Analytics" and the 76ers
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"Analytics" and the 76ers
John Mitchell, Inquirer Staff Writer
Even though we’ve heard a lot of talk coming from the 76ers these days about their plans to infuse more analytic analysis into evaluating all things, you don’t get the feeling that they are by any means going to go off the deep end with it.
During the team’s search for a new general manager, there was much talk of adding a guy experienced steeped in applying analytics (think baseball’s Billy Beane and “Moneyball”) to the front office. However, we now know, with the hiring of Tony DiLeo the Sixers still value the tried-and-true talent evaluator to handle the day-to-day operations of their front office.
This is not to sell the analytic’s role short, not at all. When DiLeo had the second of two interviews for the position with team owner Josh Harris, Harris made it abundantly clear that the front office would incorporate and place significant emphasis on hiring someone to ascribe value to draft picks, free agents and anything else player related that goes beyond pure talent evaluation.
“I have a formula that I have been using,” DiLeo said, “but what we are planning will take it to a whole different level of advanced analytics. That’s the approach the ownership group has. They want to make sure that our front office has every advantage. It’s important to them to make sure that nobody is better prepared to make decisions.”
Analytics will play a large role in making the more nuanced decisions. For instance, making the trade for Bynum, a giant 24-year-old, two-time all star capable of 20 points, 10 rebounds, two blocks and multiple changed shots per night (and the fact that he’ll require nightly double teams in the center-poor Eastern Conference), probably didn’t require a whole lot of deep thinking and numbers crunching by the Sixers to determine the benefits of adding him.
“You can’t let it dominate your decisions; there has to be a happy marriage,” is how DiLeo described it.
DiLeo says that throughout the league there are teams who use analytics to a very high degree (he pointed to Houston and Oklahoma City as the top proponents) and some who use it to a much lesser degree.
While DiLeo did not give a time frame for bringing in this person, it is clear that the team is focused on making this happen much sooner rather than later.
No, chuckw, not being able to compose complete and accurate sentences qualifies -- overqualifies? -- you to take over the Sixers beat. In any event, you're selling yourself shirt.
— iceman- chuck:you took a day off yesterday I believe...At least Darin Ruf's getting a chance finally to see live pitching, but unfortunately, both KK and Cloyd need precise location or it's BP (granted,Cloyd has pitched alot of innings this season). The Eagle's season is still young, but I'm hoping DeSean doesn't run so many lazy routes like he did against the Cardinals,as well as LeSean picking up every block in protection...AR will be on the hot seat, so at least drama will be present...Billy Belton back Saturday for PSU, who featured a "Peyton Hillis" party last week with hard charging FBs Zordich and Zwinak...Look for true "Thunder and Lightning" this week.— bearsfriend
- Bear: AR always thinks he is the smartest guy in the room; thus, if a team plays terrible D against the run, he will NOT run, even with McCoy and a wounded offensive line waving red flags at bulls crushing Mike Vick. If not for that phantom call by a replacement ref in the Ravens game nullifying a late TD, the Eagles lose that game and were lucky not to lose to the Browns. Great to see Ruf and agree on Cloyd and Kendrick, although the former, as you say, has thrown a lot of innings. Also great to watch Frandsen hit this season; hard to keep him out of the lineup (but they will find a way and probably vastly overpay for Jeff Keppinger).
In any event, back to the Ryder Cup!!— chuckw - I know this may sound a little random, but it really is time to change the banner on this page for "Deep Sixer". How many years has it been since they wore that uniform?— riles1875
John Mitchell is in his second year covering the 76ers for the Inquirer after joining the paper in November 2011. He covered the Washington Wizards for the Washington Times from 1998 to 2008. He's also worked at the Philadelphia Tribune, the Wilmington News Journal, Courier-Post, Trenton Times and Elmira Star-Gazette.Born and raised in West Philadelphia - not too far from Will Smith - he graduated from Overbrook High School the same year the 76ers won their last championship. He's a proud graduate of Howard University and the proud father of two sons, Jared and Jordan.
ABOUT MARC NARDUCCI
Marc Narducci has served in a variety of roles with the Inquirer since beginning in 1983. He has covered the 76ers as a backup and a beat writer. In addition, Narducci has covered everything from the Super Bowl to the World Series and a lot in between. Narducci also has a true passion for South Jersey scholastic sports, which he has covered for many years.
