NBA Players hiring own stat guys?

FAH1223

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Was reading this and am glad Wall is using Durant's guy :leon:

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/28/s...re-help-to-crunch-them.html?hp&_r=0&referrer=

Zormelo’s career took off three years ago when he began working for Kevin Durant, the league’s leading scorer and most valuable player. Zormelo spent last season living out of two suitcases in Oklahoma City as Durant’s full-time stats guru. He attended Thunder games with his iPad in tow, watched film with Durant at night and even slept on Durant’s couch. Zormelo ended their season together by presenting Durant with a five-page report full of pie charts and bar graphs.



Justin Zormelo, center, with his assistant Stanley Wakefield Jr., left, and the N.B.A. prospect JaKarr Sampson at a workout.

MAX REED FOR THE NEW YORK TIMES

This season, Zormelo worked with All-Stars like Paul George of the Indiana Pacers, John Wall of the Washington Wizards and Rajon Rondo of the Boston Celtics. At least three of his clients are still in the playoffs. When they require hands-on involvement, he heads to the airport.

Zormelo declined to say what he charges his clients, but said he was “definitely not rich by any means” and was still building his business.

“This is competitive for me,” Zormelo said. “If my players lose, I take it personally. Especially if they’re doing what I tell them to do.”

Last month, Zormelo was at his computer watching film of Wall’s effort against the Chicago Bulls in Game 1 of their first-round series. The Wizards won, but Wall shot 4 of 14 from the field. Zormelo highlighted an area of concern: Wall was leaving his feet too often before making passes. Zormelo wanted Wall to be more decisive.

“No more getting caught in the air,” Zormelo wrote in a text message to Wall. “They saw that, and they will stay at home when you drive and look for steals in Game 2.”

Zormelo reinforced the point by sending Wall an email with sequences of game footage. Wall responded via text: “I appreciate it a lot. I agree. I think I need to be more aggressive attacking the basket.”

Over the next four games, Wall averaged 19.5 points and 7 assists as the Wizards advanced to the Eastern Conference semifinals.
 
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