The Sixer Sense
Fansided

Jerry Colangelo Networks For Philadelphia 76ers Every Day

By Bret Stuter

Mar 9, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Team USA general manager Jerry Colangelo during a press conference at the 2016 Team USA Media Summit at the Beverly Hilton. Mandatory Credit: Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 9, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Team USA general manager Jerry Colangelo during a press conference at the 2016 Team USA Media Summit at the Beverly Hilton. Mandatory Credit: Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 13, 2015; New York, NY, USA; World Team center Rudy Gobert of the Utah Jazz (27) and U.S. Team center Nerlens Noel of the Philadelphia 76ers (4) jump for the opening tipoff during the first quarter at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 13, 2015; New York, NY, USA; World Team center Rudy Gobert of the Utah Jazz (27) and U.S. Team center Nerlens Noel of the Philadelphia 76ers (4) jump for the opening tipoff during the first quarter at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

The Shopping List

Now that you’ve amassed a hefty budget, an arsenal of trade-capable assets and talents, and you place a sharpshooter like Jerry Colangelo in the mix, all that is left is to compile a shopping list of players you believe will maximize the positive impact on your team, and are within reach. For the most part, particularly at this fragile point of the Sixers rebuild, that is where teams crumble. Either they are so close that they leap too far to acquire that last piece to place them over the top, or they are too modest and never bring on enough talent to make a difference, or worst of all, some random force like injury or actions of another team prohibit the plans from ever taking place. Surely there is something behind all that technology and sport science and analytics that can help the process, isn’t there?

Why yes, yes there is.

In a well written article by Sport’s Illustrated Ben Golliver, the advantage of sports analytics is illuminated throughout the selection process – not of the Philadelphia 76ers but – of Team USA.

"“Most often, when you have experienced basketball people who have been around the track and understand how to evaluate talent, you take that experience and most often the analytics will justify what you thought in the first place,” Colangelo said. “There are things you can pull from analytics that can make your situation better. [One thing we’re looking at is] combinations of players,” he explained. “Certain players play better with certain players, and sometimes it’s water and oil. [Analytics] is kind of a new venture for us, but only as a tool [in the decision-making process]. I’m excited about that.” – Jerry Colangelo"

In that same article, examples of NBA pairings are cited:

"Here’s the rundown. Warriors: Curry, Green, Klay Thompson, Andre Iguodala, Harrison Barnes (+49.1 as a lineup) Cavaliers: James, Kyrie Irving, Kevin Love (+8.3 as a trio) Clippers: Paul, Blake Griffin, Jordan (+10.2 as a trio) Spurs: Leonard, LaMarcus Aldridge (+12.9 as a pair) Thunder: Durant, Westbrook (+11.4 as a pair) Rockets: Harden, Howard (+0.4 as a pair) Wizards: John Wall, Bradley Beal (-1.5 as a pair) – per “USA Basketball’s Jerry Colangelo touts ‘analytics’ as he eyes Rio roster” by Ben Golliver"

This is the science of basketball analytics. Using simulated pairings, the team can project the styles of individual players, then recombine those individuals to anticipate optimal pairings. That technology is being used to set the best lineup for Team USA. You can bet that same science is being used to project the best targets for the Philadelphia 76ers this offseason in the draft, free agency, and trades.

Next: Winding Down, To Wind It Back Up