Chris Paul spent 21 NBA seasons seeing plays before most everyone else. Now he’s going to explain what he saw.
Paul is launching a digitally focused NBA strategy series through his Ohh Dip!!! Entertainment company, Words + Pictures and Genius Sports, according to Sports Business Journal.
The 30-to-45-minute program will combine Paul’s basketball knowledge with official NBA data and visualization technology provided by Genius. It will be distributed primarily through Paul’s social-media channels.
Qwame Skinner of Awful Announcing noted that the concept was partly inspired by Detail, the ESPN series that featured Kobe Bryant breaking down film and individual players.
“This isn’t intended to just be a stats show,” Words + Pictures COO Nickole Tara said. “It’s the color behind the data. It’s giving you really creative avenues for understanding why certain things happen or why propensities work out that way and matching up the stats with the real human who’s lived those statistical anomalies and what makes them special.”
That last part is the selling point. NBA viewers already have access to more numbers than most know what to do with. Paul can explain what those numbers actually mean on the floor, why a defense reacted a certain way and what a point guard noticed three passes before a shot was taken.
Genius will handle the program’s data component and serve as its commercial sales arm. The company believes that setup will create sponsorship opportunities beyond those available to a traditional podcast or studio show.
Paul also has history with the technology. He invested in Second Spectrum, the NBA’s former official tracking-data provider, before Genius acquired the company.
The parties hope Paul’s show becomes the first in a larger network spanning the NFL, Premier League and other sports. So, no, this apparently won’t be another former player sitting behind a microphone and listing who “wanted it more.”
Paul will have film, data and 21 years of evidence.
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