Editor's Note: The Minnesota Timberwolves are one of 10 teams who used a new computer-based scouting software called SportVU last year. In Part 1 of this three-part series, Timberwolves.com explains SportVU's purpose and how the Wolves use it to analyze players both on the team and across the league. Alex ConoverWeb Editorial AssociateEmail
Bollero then connected with Brian Kopp, Vice President of STATS, LLC. Kopp and his team began helping the Timberwolves transition into this new way of scouting. The early results of this new technology were impressive, and the Timberwolves front office committed to adopting the system. Along with his duties as vice president, Kopp heads STATS’ Sports Solutions Group, a new group that focuses on team operations and data. STATS, LLC has been the industry standard for collecting and distributing sports data for 30 years, and they are the official data partner for all of the major leagues and media clients.
“From a front office standpoint, SportVU’s accessibility and its ability to distribute to the front office makes things much easier,” Bollero said. “The information can be utilized at season reviews and will become more valuable as more teams continue to join.” All of this information is stored in a database called “Interactive Collaboration and Evaluation” (ICE), which is also developed by STATS, LLC. Data and statistics that are stored in ICE are shared between each NBA team that uses the service, while personal scouting notes are exclusive to each front office. Still only a few years old, ICE had 10 teams sharing data last year. The more teams that adopt ICE, the more effective this network will become. Kopp estimates that there could be up to 20 teams using the system for next season. “ICE gives us a database for every pro and collegiate player,” Bollero added. “Stats, background, history, it puts all of our notes in a centralized location. Our scouts use ICE on a daily basis and are required to input things like player reports and background information on assigned players.” Allowing player comparisons and advanced statistical analysis, ICE is the ultimate organizational tool for NBA front offices. Scouts who are traveling around the world can access ICE from an iPad, and a native application is in development for smart phones. “We want to get more specific and more in-depth,” Bollero said. “The more prepared we are, the better off we are in making personnel decisions when the time comes.”