SLC Dunk - Utah Jazz hire Sergi Olivia to coaching staff

[James Hansen]

Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images
Olivia was focused on analytics decisions at Philadelphia

According to Keith Pompey the Utah Jazz have hired Sergi Olivia to their coaching staff.

The Sixers and their VP of strategy Sergi Olivia have parted ways, according to sources. But he’ll remain in the NBA, accepting a coaching position with the #UtahJazz.

— Keith Pompey (@PompeyOnSixers) October 15, 2020

Olivia was fired by the Sixers as they renovate their front office and coaching staff.

Olivia was a major decision maker for the Sixers with their analytics and how it was used in coaching decisions.

From Pompey’s article...

Oliva was involved in the analytics-driven decisions. He had a lot to do with determining the Sixers’ rotation and substitution patterns based on the analytics. He was an integral part of the coaching meetings and presented the coaches with an analytics sheet to consult during games.

This is now two front office people that the Jazz have hired to their coaching staff. Olivia was a big proponent of making lineup decisions based on analytics and it will be interesting to see how much of that thinking will be incorporated into the Jazz lineups.

Utah appears to have filled their coaching vacancies. Utah must trust Olivia’s analytics as it appears this hire comes just before a very important draft and free agency for the Jazz.

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