The question of whether Jonathan Kuminga can evolve into a franchise cornerstone for the Warriors once Stephen Curry and Draymond Green pass the torch remains unanswered. In his first few NBA seasons, Kuminga has shown glimpses of brilliance but hasn’t quite impressed head coach Steve Kerr. It’s been a frustrating mix—spectacular plays one game, followed by mistakes or inconsistency the next.

One night, he dazzles by dominating opponents; and confirms his spot in the starting lineup for the next game. The next game, his missteps hurt the Warriors’ chances. So who is behind the lineup changes for the Warriors as they have had 13 different starting lineups this season?

Meet Pabail Sidhu. He’s Golden State’s Director of Analytics. Kerr gave the nod to a lineup pitched by Pabail Sidhu, featuring Steph, Buddy Hield, Gary Payton II, Jonathan Kuminga, and Green. The Warriors tried this group against the Timberwolves on Sunday, and the results spoke volumes. The unit delivered a solid +11 rating, which played a big role in clinching a crucial win.

Sidhu, a basketball enthusiast, initially got his start working with Microsoft, but video games soon lost their charm. His true dream was always to become an NBA general manager, and after a year at Microsoft, he knew it was time for a change. Fast forward to today, and at 42, Sidhu has carved out a unique role within the Warriors’ organization, yet remains an almost mysterious figure.

His ability to spot key statistical trends plays a crucial part in coach Steve Kerr’s decision-making process. What sets Sidhu apart from other data geeks is his deep basketball knowledge. As he puts it, “I’m a basketball guy that does numbers, not a numbers guy that does basketball.” This perspective makes him a rare asset to the Warriors.

Not only three-pointers but analytics also helped Steve Kerr establish a dynasty

The Golden State Warriors aren’t just relying on their incredible talent; they’re also harnessing cutting-edge tech to track data at every level. From the tiniest details like every shot taken in practice to game-time performance, the team’s analytics department is all over it. Pabail Sidhu, the Warriors’ director of basketball analytics and innovation, oversees the data process. The team uses video cameras to record each shot, and Google Cloud tools handle the massive amounts of information.

Oracle, a former sponsor of the Warriors’ previous home, helped display the data. If Steph Curry nails 105 consecutive three-pointers in practice, the system records it. If he struggles with a 15% success rate from the left corner, the database knows that too.

But they don’t stop at just tracking stats. With AI algorithms powered by Google Cloud, the Warriors simulate NBA games that never actually happen. For example, how would Andrew Wiggins fit into the team’s 2018-2019 championship offense if he were replacing Kevin Durant? The AI gives an answer.

As Sidhu puts it, “It is a new ‘Moneyball.’” The Warriors may not be struggling with a tight budget like the Oakland A’s, but they are using data to recreate the dominance of their previous titles. “What we do is on par with a lot of tech companies,” Sidhu says.

The Warriors’ coaches often ask for specific data to confirm what they already see on the court. “They’re asking me for the data,” Sidhu notes. “The coaches intuitively know it. They see it. We measure it.” It’s all about turning data into insight, and the Warriors have mastered that. In the end, the coaches are the boss, data can only confirm or deny. Data can only take you so far if the foundation is shaky.