Daryl Morey has over 15 years of experience as an NBA front office executive, but he is much more than that, writes David Murrell for Philadelphia Magazine.

Since 2020, Morey has served as president of basketball operations for the Philadelphia 76ers.

However, dating back to his stint as general manager of the Houston Rockets, Morey played his hand in the production of Small Ball, a basketball-themed musical that made its Philadelphia debut in a one-night-only private workshop reading at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre. 

One day while in Europe, Morey, a lifelong theater nerd, was asked on Twitter what he’d be doing if not for basketball.

“Probably something in musical theater,” Morey responded. 

Someone from a Houston theater saw his response and got in touch with him about a collaboration. 

Fast forward to today, and Morey is the producer of Small Ball, a play that follows a down-on-his-luck basketball player who has to navigate his life with the name, Michael Jordan. 

For Morey, being a theater producer isn’t too unlike being a general manager. In both roles, you’re assembling a team in search of chemistry.

“I think the odds of a show doing well and making it are about as long as winning the title,” Morey said.

Read more about Daryl Morey’s work as Small Ball producer at Philadelphia Magazine.

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