SIS

System Innovation Score

Measures a coach's tactical influence on the broader game. Factors coaching tree spread, scheme adoption across the league, and rule changes prompted.

Formula

(Coaching Tree Branches x 8) + (League Scheme Adoption % x 50) + (Rule Changes Prompted x 20) + (Innovation Firsts x 15)

Scheme Adoption %coach_scheme_adoption_pct (30%)

Rule Changes Influencedcoach_rule_changes (20%)

Innovation Firstscoach_innovation_firsts (30%)

Coaching Tree Branchescoach_tree_branches (20%)

Grade Scale

A+

A-

B+

B-

Benchmarks

Gregg Popovich82.4

Don Nelson74.1

Pat Riley72

Steve Kerr72

Phil Jackson70.4

Data Sources

Basketball-Reference.comNBA.com/stats

Grade Interpretations

A+

Revolutionary tactician. Changed how basketball is played league-wide.

Major innovator. System widely adopted with significant coaching tree.

A-

Notable innovator. Introduced concepts that influenced the modern game.

B+

Solid tactical mind. Some original concepts with moderate influence.

Competent strategist. Executes well but limited innovation.

B-

Traditional approach. Relies on established systems without significant innovation.

System Innovation Score Leaderboard

#	Entity	Score	Grade	Interpretation
	Gregg Popovichperson	82.4	A	Major innovator. System widely adopted with significant coaching tree.
	Don Nelsonperson	74.1	A-	Notable innovator. Introduced concepts that influenced the modern game.
	Jerry Westperson	72.4	A-	Significant innovation in player evaluation and team building as an executive.
4	Steve Kerrperson	72.0	A-	Notable innovator. Introduced concepts that influenced the modern game.
5	Pat Rileyperson	72.0	A-	Notable innovator. Introduced concepts that influenced the modern game.
6	Larry Birdperson	71.4	A-	Significant influence on modern executive practices and character-based evaluation systems.
7	Chuck Dalyperson	70.6	A-	Notable innovator. Introduced concepts that influenced the modern game.
8	Phil Jacksonperson	70.4	A-	Notable innovator. Introduced concepts that influenced the modern game.
9	Red Holzmanperson	66.1	B+	Solid tactical mind. Some original concepts with moderate influence.
10	Erik Spoelstraperson	60.9	B+	Solid tactical mind. Some original concepts with moderate influence.
11	Tom Thibodeauperson	55.5	B+	Solid tactical mind. Some original concepts with moderate influence.
12	Larry Brownperson	53.0	B	Competent strategist. Executes well but limited innovation.
13	Jerry Sloanperson	50.0	B	Competent strategist. Executes well but limited innovation.
14	Stan Van Gundyperson	48.8	B	Competent strategist. Executes well but limited innovation.
15	Jack Ramsayperson	48.4	B	Competent strategist. Executes well but limited innovation.
16	Rick Pitinoperson	43.0	B	Competent strategist. Executes well but limited innovation.
17	Quinn Snyderperson	40.1	B-	Traditional approach. Relies on established systems without significant innovation.
18	Sergio Scarioloperson	36.0	B-	Traditional approach. Relies on established systems without significant innovation.
19	Ime Udokaperson	35.9	B-	Traditional approach. Relies on established systems without significant innovation.
20	Doc Riversperson	35.5	B-	Traditional approach. Relies on established systems without significant innovation.
21	Kenny Atkinsonperson	29.4	C	Competent strategist. Executes well but limited innovation.
22	Terry Stottsperson	29.2	C	Competent strategist. Executes well but limited innovation.
23	Tom Izzoperson	28.9	C	Competent strategist. Executes well but limited innovation.
24	Brett Brownperson	26.5	C	Competent strategist. Executes well but limited innovation.
25	Monty Williamsperson	26.5	C	Competent strategist. Executes well but limited innovation.
26	Mike Montgomeryperson	22.1	C	Competent strategist. Executes well but limited innovation.
27	Darvin Hamperson	17.0	C	Competent strategist. Executes well but limited innovation.