In the 4th and final installment of Howard Beck’s Understanding Analytics Series, we have the privilege of sitting down with the accomplished Brittni Donaldson. Brittni is an assistant coach for the Atlanta Hawks of the NBA, known for her expertise in basketball analytics. She rose to the NBA ranks after her playing career at Northern Iowa concluded. She has previously held coaching roles with the Detroit Pistons and Toronto Raptors, contributing to the Raptors’ 2019 NBA Finals victory. As a trailblazer, she became the youngest active Assistant Coach in the NBA at the age of 26 and the first female coaching hire for the Raptors, Pistons, and Hawks.
Join us as we dive into Brittni’s incredible journey, exploring how she arrived at her current position and the pivotal moments that shaped her career. From her time at StatsLLC to her a-ha moment along the way, Brittni shares valuable insights into her path.
We’ll dive into the role of advanced analytics and statistical information in the NBA and how players perceive and utilize these data-driven insights. Discover how Brittni effectively communicates with players, coaches, and executives, fostering a shared understanding that bridges the gap between data and on-court performance. Throughout the episode, we explore the types of questions players have, how Brittni supports athletes going through slumps, and the less-known data points that fans may overlook.
Find out how organizational goals translate into data implementation, as Brittni sheds light on creating a supportive and secure environment for players to embrace analytical information. Moreover, Brittni shares her experiences adapting her approach in the ever-evolving industry and ensuring players feel comfortable “speaking the same language” as the data presented to them.
As we conclude the episode, we discuss common misconceptions in the media and fan community about statistics, and whether teams have sufficient data to quantify quality defense.
If you’re intrigued by the intersection of basketball analytics, coaching, and player development, this episode is a must-listen. Gain exclusive insights from Brittni Donaldson, a trailblazer in the NBA coaching realm, and discover the art of effectively integrating data into the world of professional basketball.
Don’t miss this enlightening conversation on our podcast, where we bring you the voices shaping the future of sports!
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SHOW NOTES
- How did Brittni arrive at where she is now? (4:00)
- What did Brittni do at StatsLLC? (6:30)
- What was Brittni’s a-ha moment along the way? (7:30)
- How do players feel about advanced analytics and statistical information? (9:30)
- How does Brittni communicate to players, coaches, and executives? (11:00)
- What does Brittni’s conversations look like with players, coaches, executives? (12:00)
- What questions do player’s have? (15:35)
- How does Brittni respond when a player comes in slumping? (18:45)
- Do teams use lineup data as much as fans do? (23:00)
- How does Brittni translate the gaps in player performance and skill? (25:00)
- What are data points that fans are less aware of? (25:45)
- How do organizations goals translate to data implementation? (28:00)
- How does Brittni make sure the player feels safe and supported with analytical information? (30:00)
- How has Brittni adapted her approach over her time in the industry? (30:45)
- How does Brittni make sure the player knows they are “speaking the same language”? (33:00)
- Where do the media and fans go wrong about stats? (34:00)
- Do teams have data to quantify quality defense? (37:00)
