The Pomp Podcast
309: Daryl Morey On Using Data To Make Decisions
- Daryl Morey's background in analytics: started in baseball with Stats Inc, brought data-driven approach to the NBA as Celtics assistant before becoming Houston Rockets GM in 2006.
- How the Rockets use advanced analytics: 25 times per second capture player and ball positions in three dimensions; focus on identifying signal vs. noise to inform coaching, play selection, and defensive strategy.
- Player adoption of analytics: most players benefit from simplified, actionable insights rather than raw data; veteran, intelligent rosters are selected to align with coach D'Antoni's system.
- Contract negotiations and market dynamics: data underpins valuation, but actual player prices are set by supply and demand; multiple teams bidding drives prices regardless of analytical models.
- Civil liberties and free speech: Morey is passionate about voting access, free speech, and financial freedom; donated heavily to the ACLU; supports decentralized technologies including Bitcoin as tools for freedom.
- Bitcoin adoption since 2011: Morey bought Bitcoin early, gave away 1 BTC as a contest prize in 2011 when it cost ~$4; lost funds in Mt. Gox hack; views Bitcoin as a technology platform for exchange that economists initially misunderstood.