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NBA
Why the NBA Should Hire Daryl Morey to Be Its Theo Epstein
TL;DR
Daryl Morey, a key figure in NBA analytics, was recently let go by the 76ers. His expertise could help the NBA address challenges similar to those faced by MLB.
Key points
- Daryl Morey was recently fired from the 76ers
- He is a key figure in NBA analytics and co-founder of MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference
- The NBA faces challenges from increased three-point shooting and faster gameplay
- Morey's expertise could help address these challenges
- His influence is compared to Theo Epstein's impact on MLB
Mentioned in this story
Philadelphia 76ersMIT Sloan Sports Analytics ConferenceDaryl MoreyTheo EpsteinMLB
Daryl Morey was one of the leading influencers for the modern era of NBA analytics. He would also be the perfect candidate to help commissioner Adam Silver put the genie back in the bottle, similar to what Theo Epstein and Rob Manfred have done with MLB.
Morey was relieved of his duties as president of basketball operations for the 76ers earlier this week. As the co-founder of the MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference 20 years ago and through his work in the 76ers and Rockets front offices, he has been at the vanguard of transforming how the sport has been played. The entire league is shooting three-pointers at exponentially higher levels than two decades ago and the game is now being played at a much faster pace.
While these and other changes certainly make basketball sense for the franchises deploying them, they have also posed aesthetic challenges and injury concerns for the league, making it less enjoyable to watch for many. Particularly in the regular season.
In many ways, the situation mirrors how MLB puzzles got solved after the popularity of Michael Lewisās Money Ball book and movie showcasing how Aās general manager Billy Beane found statistical inefficiencies to help his team contend despite possessing a smaller budget.
In 2021, Manfred hired Epstein as a consultant to clean up the aesthetics of baseball. Epstein, a Yale graduate, had improbably led the Red Sox and Cubs to World Series championships with a heavy emphasis on analytics. Manfredās decision to hire him was analogous to how casinos would hire blackjack cheats to identify holes in their systems.
āItās Catch Me if You Can, Frank Abagnale,ā Barstool Sports personality PFT Commenter said on Pardon My Take this week, in response to my idea of the NBA hiring Morey.
In 2023, MLB banned the shift and added the pitch clock, and saw improvements in gameplay and pace almost immediately. The average MLB game was 24 minutes shorter in the first season with the new pitch clock. and have been escalating for the sport.
Q&A
Why was Daryl Morey fired from the 76ers?
Daryl Morey was relieved of his duties as president of basketball operations for the 76ers earlier this week.
How has Daryl Morey influenced NBA analytics?
Daryl Morey has been a leading figure in NBA analytics, co-founding the MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference and transforming the game through innovative strategies.
What challenges is the NBA facing due to modern analytics?
The NBA is experiencing aesthetic challenges and injury concerns due to the increased focus on three-point shooting and faster-paced gameplay.
How does Daryl Morey compare to Theo Epstein in sports management?
Daryl Morey's potential role in the NBA is likened to Theo Epstein's impact on MLB, where both aimed to address and solve significant challenges in their respective leagues.