Executive Search: Sam Hinkie
by wyn on May 12, 2009 8:57 AM CDT
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I think this is Sam Hinkie (via www.kumarfam.com)
From Rockets.com:
When you first enter Hinkie’s office, it's the walls which immediately grab your attention. Opposite the doorway is a giant flatscreen TV but, believe it or not, that’s probably the least interesting decorative device in the room. Far more intriguing is the wall behind his desk, filled as it is with magnets featuring the names of every NBA player – organized by team – and their current salary. Meanwhile, the adjacent wall doubles as a giant dry-erase board currently littered with a bevy of concepts and strategies for playing against (and hopefully defeating) the Utah Jazz.
Despite his visit to the Target Center last Wednesday, Tom Penn is not under the microscope today. For a good take on Kevin Prtichard's right-hand man, check out the opinions Stop-n-Pop got from Benjamin Golliver of Blazers Edge.
Today we're looking at another young prodigy of the NBA's executive world: Houston Vice President of Basketball Operations Sam Hinkie.
Hinkie grew up Marlow, OK and before the age of 27 his resume included the following:
- Graduated from Price College of Business at Oklahoma University
- Worked for global strategy firm Bain & Company
- Drafted policies pertaining to the pricing of players for the San Francisco 49ers and Houston Texans
- Stanford University MBA candidate
I say MBA "candidate" because Hinkie was hired in 2005 by the Rockets as Special Assistant to GM Leslie Alexander Carroll Dawson, before he graduated. Kinda makes you think about what you've accomplished with your life, doesn't it?
As Special Assistant, Hinkie was given a huge amount of input and responsibility for someone with his level of experiece: advising Alexander and his replacement Daryl Morey on the draft, free agency and trades, managing the team's salary cap and providing both scouting and statistical player evaluation. At the 2007 draft, Hinkie was part of Houston's war room with Morey, Coach Rick Adelman, Clyde Drexler and current Timberwolves Assistant Coach Dean Cooper. That September, he was promoted to Vice President of Basketball Operations.
While a good bit of his reputation consists of the statistical and financial evaluation, it's the more traditional, intuitive scouting that illuminates his evaluative balance.
While watching the likes of Oklahoma's Blake Griffin and Gonzaga's Jeremy Pargo, here's what Hinkie looked for: Does he talk to teammates? Does he talk to the crowd? Does he yell back at his coach? Does his coach baby him, and if so why? If he dunks off a lob, is it because the pass was perfect, or the play was a great setup, or did the defense go to sleep, or is the guy athletic enough to dunk without any of the above?
There don't seem to be many leaders in the NBA who are as equally comfortable with qualitative evaluation as they are quantitative. I'm currently pulling for Penn and Hinkie doesn't appear to be on the Wolves' radar at this point, but whomever decides to hire the man from Marlow will almost always have the smartest guy in the room on their side.
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As you know, but I can’t stress it enough: love this bits.
Sounds like he wouldn’t be a bad choice either. The magnets thing sounds a bit weird to me though … just buy a computer man :p. For the rest, never hurts to have a smart man!
Beater of the early Thabeet drum
You're not into
NBA fridge poetry?
Seriously though, some people are visual like and need to be able to move stuff around—Excel is death for that. If he can find us the next Tony Parker and Manu, then I’d get him as many magnets as he wants.
true ;)
Beater of the early Thabeet drum
by Wim (Belgium) on May 12, 2009 10:54 AM CDT up reply actions
it's a
quicker reference than opening a file, for something you probably need 5-6 times a day
1941 .406
I’m in love….
Seriously, Hinkie’s background in finance AND statistics would be a perfect balm for this team. They seem to be woefully behind in these areas, and Hinkie would offer them a chance to make a light-year’s jump forward. However, if their plan is to get a guy like this or Penn to serve a sort of a co-GM with Hoiberg and/or Stack calling the shots on the draft/personnel, I doubt they’re going to land someone. If Hoiberg/Stack are indeed safe, then our best hope for landing a guy with Penn’s or Hinkie’s pedigree may be to make Hoiberg/Stack “Scouting Directors,” and give the new hire full-fledged GM responsibilities. Give him final say over the roster personnel. If all they want is a capologist, then they may as well try to find a brilliant but bored lawyer or economist somewhere looking to get into the field.
Plus...
…he’s an Okie. You can never go wrong there.
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…said Howard Schultz when he sold the Sonics to Clay Bennett.
"Officiating has to be a science, not an art" - Rick Carlisle
the nba already made a ritual sacrafice to Oklahoma
no more need to worry that it will be masticating on our timberzombies.
by oblivionspocket on May 12, 2009 3:05 PM CDT up reply actions
That fear would be greater if Kahn came in as president
Although I really don’t think the NBA wants to leave the Minnesota market.
"Officiating has to be a science, not an art" - Rick Carlisle
they aren't going anywhere
once the vikings leave it will be even better ;)
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hey...
…when my family finally breaks down and moves back to okc, at least i’ll have a team to watch now. seattle will get either memphis or nola.
The World's Leading Exporter of Small Area Quickness
www.canishoopus.com
You mean there is hope for me to become a GM one day?
"Officiating has to be a science, not an art" - Rick Carlisle
He has been mentioned in the sidelines, I wouldn’t be surprised if he suddenly turns out to be the guy. The Rockets are still in the playoffs so I wouldn’t be “ethically correct” to “distract” them right now.
Beater of the early Thabeet drum
by Wim (Belgium) on May 12, 2009 10:57 AM CDT up reply actions
I'm surprised..
… that with Hinkie presumably available and with so many good things being said about him here and elsewhere, he isn’t even getting a sniff from Taylor. On paper, he doesn’t look all that different from Lindsey, Taylor’s first choice (apart from HInkie’s lack of RC Buford pedigree). Both are young, smart, energetic, stats & scouting guys. So why isn’t Taylor interviewing him? I just cannot understand the thought process over at 600 First Ave.
(btw, I’m hoping that this is subterfuge and that Taylor is having secret negotiations with Hinkie, but I doubt this is the case as nothing about this search has been secret and most has been bungled rather publicly, e.g., Kahn and Lindsey).
I agree, but there must be something going on.
If Taylor’s inviting Penn in for a visit (as I’m told happened last Wednesdsay), I don’t know why they wouldn’t talk to Hinkie. Those two seem VERY similar.
Also, I’m not sure Lindsey’s that young. Can’t find his age right now, but I think he’s in his 40s.
www.canishoopus.com
Thanks for the take...
… yes, I suspect they have something going on. I think part of the reason this dropped off the radar is because Zgoda is on vacation, so there’s really no one to cover it. Stensaas is a pretty good writer but doesn’t seem to have the sources/coverage that Zgoda does. And nothing ever seems to be happening at the Pioneer Press.
Anyway, I thought 40s (at least early 40s) was still considered relatively young for these sorts of jobs ;)
Ha!
Fair point. I tend to forget that there’s a wide range of people to go along with the range of opinions here.
I think you’re right, 40s is below average for these hires (no data to back that up), but the guys who get hired before 35 REALLY raise eyebrows.
www.canishoopus.com
I think part of the reason this dropped off the radar is because Zgoda is on vacation, so there’s really no one to cover it.
Plus, they need the space for Brett Farve speculation.
please, please, please...
….make it stop.
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www.canishoopus.com
Which. . .
The Farve discussion or the GM discussion??
Sitting down here in my corner of the world, I really hope the Vikes do NOT take Farve.
I also hope the Wolves TAKE Penn.
Oh the joy of off-season discussions :}
Sometimes the obvious is hidden.
by frankenhoops on May 14, 2009 3:06 PM CDT up reply actions
the favre stuff
i’ve never wished a tractor accident on anyone before but i’m very close to making for my first time.
The World's Leading Exporter of Small Area Quickness
www.canishoopus.com
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