Daryl Morey is a prominent figure in basketball analytics, serving as the president of basketball operations for the Philadelphia 76ers. His analytical approach, known as "Moreyball," prioritizes three-point shots and layups, challenging traditional basketball strategies. Morey's influence extends beyond the court, as he co-founded the MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference, a testament to his impact on the use of data in basketball.
September 14, 1972: Daryl Morey is Born
Daryl Morey, a prominent figure in basketball analytics, was born on September 14, 1972. His analytical approach to the game, known as "Moreyball," has significantly influenced the NBA.
1992: Morey Begins Career at STATS, Inc.
Daryl Morey embarked on his career in sports data analysis in 1992, joining STATS, Inc., a pioneering firm in the field.
1993: Morey Publishes "Modified Pythagorean Theorem"
Daryl Morey's influential "Modified Pythagorean Theorem," adapting Bill James's concept for basketball, was published in STATS Basketball Scoreboard in 1993.
1996: Morey Earns Degrees from Northwestern and MIT
Daryl Morey graduated from Northwestern University with a bachelor's degree in computer science in 1996 and later earned an MBA from MIT Sloan School of Management, equipping him with a strong analytical foundation for his career in basketball.
2000: Morey Joins EY-Parthenon
Daryl Morey's expertise in sports analytics led him to join EY-Parthenon, a prominent strategy consulting firm, as a principal consultant in 2000.
2002: Morey Becomes Senior VP of Operations for Celtics
In 2002, Daryl Morey took on the role of senior vice president of operations for the Boston Celtics, where he applied his analytical skills to various aspects of team management, including ticket pricing and player evaluation.
2003: "Moneyball" Highlights Billy Beane
Published in 2003, Michael Lewis's "Moneyball" brought attention to Billy Beane's analytical approach as general manager of the Oakland Athletics.
April 3, 2006: Morey Joins Houston Rockets
Daryl Morey's journey with the Houston Rockets began on April 3, 2006, when he was appointed as the team's assistant general manager.
May 10, 2007: Morey Becomes Rockets General Manager
Daryl Morey's influence on the Houston Rockets expanded on May 10, 2007, when he was promoted to the position of general manager, leading the team's adoption of his signature analytical approach.
June 2007: Donnie Nelson Becomes Longest-Tenured GM
With Morey's departure in June 2007, Donnie Nelson of the Dallas Mavericks became the longest-tenured general manager in the NBA.
2007: Morey's Tenure as General Manager Begins
Daryl Morey began his tenure as general manager for the Houston Rockets in 2007, marking the start of a successful period for the team.
2012: Rockets Acquire James Harden
In a pivotal move orchestrated by Daryl Morey, the Houston Rockets acquired James Harden from the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2012, marking a turning point for the franchise.
2015: Rockets Reach Western Conference Finals
Under Daryl Morey's leadership, the Houston Rockets reached the Western Conference Finals in 2015, showcasing the team's growth and competitiveness.
2016: Morey Featured in "The Undoing Project"
Daryl Morey's analytical approach to basketball was prominently featured in Michael Lewis's 2016 book, "The Undoing Project," which explored the application of behavioral economics in various fields.
2017: Morey Named NBA Executive of the Year
In recognition of his team's success and innovative approach to the game, Daryl Morey was named NBA Executive of the Year in 2017.
2018: Morey Wins Executive of the Year, Rockets Reach Conference Finals Again
Daryl Morey's successful strategies earned him the NBA Executive of the Year award in 2018, the same year the Houston Rockets once again reached the Western Conference Finals.
October 4, 2019: Morey's Tweet on Hong Kong
On October 4, 2019, Daryl Morey posted a tweet expressing support for the Hong Kong protests.
October 15, 2020: Rockets Announce Morey's Departure
On October 15, 2020, the Houston Rockets officially announced Daryl Morey's decision to step down as general manager.
October 18, 2020: Morey Thanks Houston in Newspaper Ad
Daryl Morey expressed his gratitude to the city of Houston by taking out a full-page advertisement in the Houston Chronicle on October 18, 2020, following his departure from the Rockets.
November 1, 2020: Morey Officially Steps Down
Daryl Morey's tenure as general manager of the Houston Rockets concluded on November 1, 2020.
November 2, 2020: Morey Joins Philadelphia 76ers
Daryl Morey's move to the Philadelphia 76ers as president of basketball operations was announced on November 2, 2020.
2020: Morey Steps Down as Rockets GM
After a successful period with the Houston Rockets, Daryl Morey stepped down from his position as general manager in 2020.
2020: Morey Joins Philadelphia 76ers
Following his departure from the Rockets, Daryl Morey joined the Philadelphia 76ers as president of basketball operations in 2020.
2020: Backlash to Morey's Tweet Continues
The controversy surrounding Daryl Morey's 2019 tweet continued into 2020, with repercussions for the NBA's relationship with China.
March 22, 2021: Morey Proposes Rule Changes
Always the innovator, Daryl Morey suggested changing the value of three-pointers to 2.5 points and widening the court on March 22, 2021.
2023: Morey Achieves Top Ranking
By the end of the 2023 NBA regular season, Daryl Morey had achieved a top-five ranking among all executives in NBA history for "Wins over .500" in his 17-year career.