Fitting right in line with the Sixers’ continued pledge to focus more on advanced analytics, Hinkie is seemingly a statistical guru. He spoke at the MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference, and this: [NBA Stuffer]

In his first two seasons with the Rockets, Hinkie served as Special Assistant to the General Manager where he worked closely with former GM Carroll Dawson. Prior to joining the Rockets, Hinkie advised two NFL teams on draft strategies and ways to use statistical analysis to improve decision making. Hinkie also has experience as a consultant for Bain & Company, a leading global-strategy consulting firm. In addition, he worked in private equity and venture capital where he led diligence teams and provided strategic direction for his firm’s investment companies.

I’m guessing Sixers owners Joshua Harris and Marc Leder, who hosted the now infamous fundraiser for Mitt Romney, knew Hinkie outside of basketball, both because of Hinkie’s work in private equity and with Bain & Company, an offshoot of Romney’s Bain Capital. One big happy family of rich investment folks. That’s just a guess. But either way, Hinkie is regarded as very analytics happy, and I think that’s a good thing.