Infinite Loops Ryan Resch - How Data Changed the NBA and What AI Changes Next (Ep. 327)
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Sep 10, 2026 
Ryan Resch, former Phoenix Suns assistant GM and basketball operations executive, traces his path from a cold email to Baylor basketball to leading data and AI initiatives in private equity. He discusses turning play-by-play into lineup insights, building the Suns’ competitive foundation, and how optical tracking transformed the NBA. They explore why shared dashboards can erase an edge, where better questions create advantage, and how AI may reshape sports and business.
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How Baylor’s Lineup Data Was Built From Scratch
- Baylor lacked reliable lineup data, so Ryan Resch scraped play-by-play text and reconstructed five-player combinations.
- The resulting analysis influenced rotations and substitution patterns.
Being Right Is Not The Same As Being Effective
- Data-driven people can be correct yet ineffective if they cannot explain why their findings matter.
- Successful team building combines quantitative evidence with culture, personality, role fit, and communication.
Data Revealed An Underused Baylor Scorer
- Baylor data showed an inconsistent forward produced exceptional per-minute impact despite limited playing time.
- Instead of dismissing him, the staff could address his habits and design circumstances that unlocked his scoring.
