Sports Analytics Expert: Moneyball's New Rules (exclusive interview)
Feb 15, 2024
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Cory Jez, a sports analytics professional, discusses the role of math and analytics in sports. He talks about the maturity of analytics in different sports, misconceptions about analytics, and how TourIQ helps athletes. He also explores the clash between players and leadership, the importance of strategy and execution, and the role of training and recovery in optimizing performance.
Analytics can help teams and individuals win by providing actionable insights for decision-making in sports.
Different sports are at varying stages of maturity in implementing analytics, with basketball having strong potential for leveraging tracking data.
Analysts in sports analytics are passionate about the game and should be integrated into the broader sports IQ and decision-making process.
Deep dives
The importance of incorporating analytics in sports
This podcast episode explores the significance of incorporating analytics in sports, focusing on the example of Kobe Bryant's interest in using math to improve his game. The guest, Corey Jeds, who has worked in sports analytics across basketball, soccer, and golf, provides insights into how analytics can help teams and individuals win. He emphasizes the misconception that analytics experts lack a passion for the sport, highlighting the importance of their deep understanding and love for the game. Jeds also discusses the evolution of analytics in different sports and the need for organizations to adopt a holistic approach to decision-making, treating their sporting side like a successful billion-dollar business.
The role of analytics in improving athlete performance
Corey Jeds explains the role of sports analytics in improving athlete performance. He discusses how teams and individuals can leverage analytics to enhance player fitness, skill development, and strategy. Jeds emphasizes the use of data-driven information to make better decisions, providing examples of how analytics are applied in basketball, such as measuring player movement and optimizing kitchen staff. He also highlights the importance of practice and intentional training, where athletes mimic real-world scenarios to improve their execution and decision-making on the field or court.
The progression and adoption of analytics in different sports
Corey Jeds delves into the progression and adoption of analytics in various sports. He explains that different sports are at different stages of maturity in implementing analytics, with baseball being further ahead. Jeds mentions basketball's strong potential for leveraging tracking data to gain competitive advantages. He also discusses how soccer's recruitment-focused nature drives the need for analytics in team building. Jeds highlights that teams within the same sport can have varying levels of analytics adoption, with some organizations being more open to new information and others more resistant.
Misconceptions about analytics and the importance of integration
Corey Jeds addresses common misconceptions about analytics in sports. He emphasizes that analysts are passionate about the game and should not be perceived as detached from the sport. He highlights the importance of integrating analytics with the broader sports IQ and decision-making process. Jeds emphasizes the need to communicate the nuances of analytics effectively, avoiding the use of pop statistics and focusing on actionable insights. He also discusses the importance of confidence, open-mindedness, and willingness to experiment in the analytics field.
The holistic nature of athlete preparation and performance
Corey Jeds discusses the holistic nature of athlete preparation and performance. He emphasizes the significance of rest, recovery, readiness, and overall wellness in achieving optimal performance. Jeds highlights the importance of intentional training, mimicking real-world scenarios, and being mindful of the athlete's physical and mental states. He discusses examples from NBA practices and individual athlete regimens in golf, showcasing the value of deliberate practice and the integration of various factors for improved performance.
Early in Kobe’s career, he was asked what he would ask Michael Jordan about basketball. He answered “I’d ask him how to incorporate math into the game”.
I couldn’t think of anyone better to ask about what that question means than today’s guest, Cory Jez. Cory has worked in sports analytics in basketball as the director of analytics for the Utah Jazz, in soccer as the Director of Sports Science and Analytics at FC Austin, and now in golf at TourIQ a company he founded where he is providing analytics insights for Professional golfers on the PGA Tour.
In this episode we dive into how analytics are used to help teams and individuals win, what the biggest misconceptions about analytics are, and how anyone like us, can benefit from applying analytics to our own domain.
