I saw a tweet from Draftexpress saying he has been. Can this be confirmed? If this is the case, it signals a revolutionary move regarding analytics and coaching for the Celtics. It could mean that the C's could be approaching the game in a brand new and very cutting edge way. Very exciting.
Just watched the Summer League game in my DVR and I think I spoted Drew Cannon seating alongside Mike Zarren, Brad Stevens, Danny and Austin Ainge.
Just for the record: the Celtics have been using statistical analysis for a while. Not sure what exactly Cannon's system is but just saying this wouldn't be brand new.
They don't talk much about the entire process to keep their competitive edge, but articles state he prepares incredibly extensive analysis reports for every game/practice/opponent to Coach Stevens that takes 10-12 hours to prepare. He's also on the bench with the coaches for real time statistical analysis and contributions. Basically, an assistant coach math wiz that is 100% focused on gathering data and exploiting it to gain an advantage.
i read similarly on the time and level of reporting, which then allowed preparation during practice.
my concern is that this extensive and detailed a system will take a few years to take off for stevens. specifically, can drew really put 10 to 12 hour prep into each game in the nba? there are 82 games, no 20 something as in college.
further, compared to college there are lots of back to back games and few practices in the nba. there will not be nearly the same amount of time to teach/deploy stats.
i am not saying advanced stats wont work. i am saying these advanced stats and how they are used/deployed will be take time to work out. drew by himself is just not going to enough to duplicate the butler system in the celtics.
the first year will be a lot of learning and improvising by everyone involved. but danny and brad seem to understand that.
one of the big challenges for stevens and drew will be to successfully infuse nba coaching with stats as he uses them. but if he is successful, then ainge, drew, and stevens may revolutionize basketball the way billy beane changed baseball and how it assesses talent and winning. and that, i think, was one major attraction for stevens.