1. Welcome! Please take a few seconds to create your free account to post threads, make some friends, remove a few ads while surfing and much more. ClutchFans has been bringing fans together to talk Houston Sports since 1996. Join us!

[Sports Illustrated] Chris Ballard Piece on Daryl Morey - "Moneyballsy"

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by durvasa, Nov 29, 2012.

  1. durvasa

    durvasa Contributing Member

    Joined:
    Feb 11, 2006
    Messages:
    37,908
    Likes Received:
    15,377
    http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1206495/1/index.htm

    http://insidesportsillustrated.com/2012/11/28/moneyballsy/

    [rquoter]
    Chris Ballard on How The Rockets Are Bringing Moneyball To The NBA

    Rockets G.M. Daryl Morey is the NBA’s equivalent of baseball’s Billy Beane. He sees basketball differently from most NBA executives, and using analytical methods that many other general managers reject – or even mock – Morey revamped his roster in the off-season, working the margins of the sport’s economy, then unloading players when their value peaked. Morey knows many other executives are rooting for him to fail, but Chris Ballard explores why Morey will risk everything to back up his methods (page 55).
    [/rquoter]

    The latest print issue of Sports Illustrated has a piece by Chris Ballard (author of "The Art of a Beautiful Game" -- I provided a summary on the parts about the Rockets in that book here) on Daryl Morey and what the Rockets are doing with their "moneyball" approach.

    Unfortunately, it doesn't look like his latest piece on the Rockets will appear online. If anyone gets Sports Illustrated, please post on any interesting parts you read from this article.
     
    1 person likes this.
  2. mirus

    mirus Member

    Joined:
    Sep 1, 2012
    Messages:
    1,297
    Likes Received:
    22
    <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Going to post a few of the shorter extras here now. As always, apologies in advance for timeline clog...</p>&mdash; Chris Ballard (@SI_ChrisBallard) <a href="https://twitter.com/SI_ChrisBallard/status/274241061411500032" data-datetime="2012-11-29T19:58:58+00:00">November 29, 2012</a></blockquote>
    <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

    <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>In his office, Morey keeps a few favorite letters. One he calls "my letter from God." Return address proves it: God Shammgod</p>&mdash; Chris Ballard (@SI_ChrisBallard) <a href="https://twitter.com/SI_ChrisBallard/status/274241415201042432" data-datetime="2012-11-29T20:00:23+00:00">November 29, 2012</a></blockquote>
    <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

    <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Morey claims to be "world class" at two things: ping-pong and Pop-A-Shot. Can attest to the former.</p>&mdash; Chris Ballard (@SI_ChrisBallard) <a href="https://twitter.com/SI_ChrisBallard/status/274242013577236480" data-datetime="2012-11-29T20:02:45+00:00">November 29, 2012</a></blockquote>
    <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

    <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Morey says best NBA Pop-A-Shot player he's met is Aaron Brooks, who uses two hands and spins the balls up, bocce-style</p>&mdash; Chris Ballard (@SI_ChrisBallard) <a href="https://twitter.com/SI_ChrisBallard/status/274243804054319104" data-datetime="2012-11-29T20:09:52+00:00">November 29, 2012</a></blockquote>
    <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

    <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Morey on Sam Presti: "I think Sam is the best GM in the league. I mean, he's really * really * good."</p>&mdash; Chris Ballard (@SI_ChrisBallard) <a href="https://twitter.com/SI_ChrisBallard/status/274242179126415360" data-datetime="2012-11-29T20:03:25+00:00">November 29, 2012</a></blockquote>
    <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

    <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Morey on his HS hoops: “My career was like Luther Head’s. I had a lot of time then I went downhill. By senior year I wasn’t playing at all."</p>&mdash; Chris Ballard (@SI_ChrisBallard) <a href="https://twitter.com/SI_ChrisBallard/status/274243313719189505" data-datetime="2012-11-29T20:07:55+00:00">November 29, 2012</a></blockquote>
    <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>




    Something similar.Not sure if it's part of the article,but interesting
    <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-in-reply-to="274242657113481216"><p>@<a href="https://twitter.com/si_chrisballard">si_chrisballard</a> Didn't realize Doc was his shooting coach -Doc was my coach at Burlingame High. Great guy - doing well at Pinewood</p>&mdash; jeff chang (@TheReal_JSC) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheReal_JSC/status/274262350079598592" data-datetime="2012-11-29T21:23:34+00:00">November 29, 2012</a></blockquote>
    <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


    <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-in-reply-to="274263568315211778"><p>@<a href="https://twitter.com/si_chrisballard">si_chrisballard</a> let's just agree that in a starting lineup filled w/3 PT shooters, I wasn't one of them.</p>&mdash; jeff chang (@TheReal_JSC) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheReal_JSC/status/274263995794468864" data-datetime="2012-11-29T21:30:06+00:00">November 29, 2012</a></blockquote>
    <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


    <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>....Lin: "Like 80% of my shots are short, and he thinks it's due to the high arc."</p>&mdash; Chris Ballard (@SI_ChrisBallard) <a href="https://twitter.com/SI_ChrisBallard/status/274242818715815937" data-datetime="2012-11-29T20:05:57+00:00">November 29, 2012</a></blockquote>
    <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
     
    1 person likes this.
  3. mirus

    mirus Member

    Joined:
    Sep 1, 2012
    Messages:
    1,297
    Likes Received:
    22
    <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Check out <a href="http://t.co/bePG4Lvg" title="http://si.com">si.com</a> tomorrow for more in-depth stuff (including the roster to Morey's 1994 NBA fantasy team)...</p>&mdash; Chris Ballard (@SI_ChrisBallard) <a href="https://twitter.com/SI_ChrisBallard/status/274244003606712320" data-datetime="2012-11-29T20:10:40+00:00">November 29, 2012</a></blockquote>
    <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

    <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>...and of course go buy the mag so you can read the full Rockets story, as well as a kickass feature from @<a href="https://twitter.com/sitimlayden">sitimlayden</a></p>&mdash; Chris Ballard (@SI_ChrisBallard) <a href="https://twitter.com/SI_ChrisBallard/status/274244205579227137" data-datetime="2012-11-29T20:11:28+00:00">November 29, 2012</a></blockquote>
    <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
     
  4. mike_lu

    mike_lu Member

    Joined:
    Feb 15, 2006
    Messages:
    2,159
    Likes Received:
    169
    Sounds really interesting.
     
  5. just a word

    just a word Member

    Joined:
    Nov 14, 2012
    Messages:
    951
    Likes Received:
    39
    HAHHA yes. Yes this is why I love Battier.
     
  6. RV6

    RV6 Contributing Member

    Joined:
    Aug 21, 2008
    Messages:
    25,522
    Likes Received:
    1,109
    Ouch @ Luther Head comment.

    And the coach is right about Lin's shot. I've said before he was lofting the ball up, rather than guiding it with his follow through. Mario Elie-ish. Ball travels vertically too much.


    Wrong thread, I assume.

    Some more tweets:

    <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Morey says best NBA Pop-A-Shot player he's met is Aaron Brooks, who uses two hands and spins the balls up, bocce-style</p>&mdash; Chris Ballard (@SI_ChrisBallard) <a href="https://twitter.com/SI_ChrisBallard/status/274243804054319104" data-datetime="2012-11-29T20:09:52+00:00">November 29, 2012</a></blockquote>
    <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

    <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Check out <a href="http://t.co/bePG4Lvg" title="http://si.com">si.com</a> tomorrow for more in-depth stuff (including the roster to Morey's 1994 NBA fantasy team)...</p>&mdash; Chris Ballard (@SI_ChrisBallard) <a href="https://twitter.com/SI_ChrisBallard/status/274244003606712320" data-datetime="2012-11-29T20:10:40+00:00">November 29, 2012</a></blockquote>
    <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
     
    #6 RV6, Nov 29, 2012
    Last edited: Nov 29, 2012
  7. treyk3

    treyk3 Member

    Joined:
    Jun 26, 2008
    Messages:
    8,716
    Likes Received:
    16,052
    Really great article I recommend picking up the issue. Has luck on the cover.

    A few interesting bits.

    Alexander on morey's future: stick with him as long as it works... When will we know? Two years

    Parsons: nice to be part of something that's going to be special... Or at least I hope so. (Referring to staying)
     
  8. GoRockets!

    GoRockets! Member

    Joined:
    Oct 14, 2012
    Messages:
    982
    Likes Received:
    25
    My question: if Lin reduces arc on his shot, would he still be able to hit those shots over Paul Gasol and Dirk like he did last year? :confused:
     
  9. Wapzoe

    Wapzoe Member

    Joined:
    May 22, 2012
    Messages:
    779
    Likes Received:
    86
    Pau Gasol

    And hopefully he doesn't have to.. He'll be able to get his basket around those guys, this is mainly for his set jumpshot
     
  10. OremLK

    OremLK Member

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2010
    Messages:
    15,887
    Likes Received:
    9,961
    I can totally see Lin pulling a Steve Nash and just getting better and better the older he gets.
     
  11. Raven

    Raven Member

    Joined:
    Jul 24, 2002
    Messages:
    14,984
    Likes Received:
    1,024
    We're F###ed.
     
  12. BraveFox

    BraveFox Member

    Joined:
    Nov 3, 2012
    Messages:
    1,744
    Likes Received:
    61
    barring some injury there's no other way for Jeremy
     
  13. HMMMHMM

    HMMMHMM Contributing Member

    Joined:
    Oct 8, 2010
    Messages:
    4,031
    Likes Received:
    597
    Key term here is "foundational player".

    Morey has already said himself that one of the worst things you can do is spend max money on non-max players.

    I don't think we have to worry about Morey giving big bucks to Al Jefferson, Josh Smith or Paul Millsap.
     
  14. Chef_Monteur

    Chef_Monteur Member

    Joined:
    Nov 3, 2012
    Messages:
    863
    Likes Received:
    20
    Morey picked the wrong sport to play moneyball in. You simply cannot win championships in the NBA without having the best player in the league on your team.

    Baseball and Football, you can win using sabermetrics. Basketball, you cannot.
     
  15. D-rock

    D-rock Member

    Joined:
    Jun 29, 2006
    Messages:
    40,743
    Likes Received:
    64,228
    Josh Smith may not be Morey's first choice, but I bet he is on Morey's short list next season (or via trade).
     
  16. Lihao

    Lihao Member

    Joined:
    Oct 21, 2012
    Messages:
    1,023
    Likes Received:
    28
    [​IMG]
     
  17. HMMMHMM

    HMMMHMM Contributing Member

    Joined:
    Oct 8, 2010
    Messages:
    4,031
    Likes Received:
    597
    Meh. Having the best player in the league certainly gives you a great shot, but you need a lot more than just one player and you can very well win the title with your best player being a top-5 or top-10 player.
     
  18. Chef_Monteur

    Chef_Monteur Member

    Joined:
    Nov 3, 2012
    Messages:
    863
    Likes Received:
    20
    The 04 Pistons were an enigma. And they didn't repeat as champs.

    If you want any real staying power in the NBA you need the best player in the league to make that happen.
     
  19. Chef_Monteur

    Chef_Monteur Member

    Joined:
    Nov 3, 2012
    Messages:
    863
    Likes Received:
    20
    Look, if you run down the list of NBA champions you will seldomly find a team that didn't have talent.

    In the MLB or the NFL, you can find plenty of teams that win while not being the top 5 most talented team in the league.

    With the NBA, you need a superstar. In the other sports you don't.
     
  20. Chef_Monteur

    Chef_Monteur Member

    Joined:
    Nov 3, 2012
    Messages:
    863
    Likes Received:
    20
    Give me some examples of teams that can win without a top 5 player.
     

Share This Page

  • About ClutchFans

    Since 1996, ClutchFans has been loud and proud covering the Houston Rockets, helping set an industry standard for team fan sites. The forums have been a home for Houston sports fans as well as basketball fanatics around the globe.

  • Support ClutchFans!

    If you find that ClutchFans is a valuable resource for you, please consider becoming a Supporting Member. Supporting Members can upload photos and attachments directly to their posts, customize their user title and more. Gold Supporters see zero ads!


    Upgrade Now