Legendary biographer and chronicler of power, Robert Caro, has recently had a surprising influence on Sam Presti’s vision. He is the Executive Vice President and General Manager of the Oklahoma City Thunder. Presti frequently references Caro’s philosophy and meticulous research process as guiding principles in his strategy to build a successful NBA franchise. This connection, rooted in Caro’s exhaustive approach to investigative reporting, illustrates the intersection of sports and scholarship in the pursuit of excellence.
Caro’s career is still going strong at six and a half decades. He’s most famous for his exhaustive, epic-length biographies of American political figures, in particular Lyndon B. Johnson. The first step on his quest began in 1959, at Newsday, the paper on Long Island. There, he developed a philosophy characterized by a commitment to rigorous research and diligent work. This mantra has struck a chord with Presti, who has taken it to heart and made it a bedrock for the Thunder’s culture.
By the mid-1960s, this historian’s academic career was about to follow a transformative course. He recently started a Nieman Fellowship at Harvard University. At the same time as doing this, he kept an office on campus and joined a local basketball team. This unusual blend of NCAA athletics and higher education has affected how he views the playing field of teamwork and leadership.
Caro’s art requires him to spend years interviewing thousands of people and combing through mountains of documentation to find truths that others can’t—or more accurately, failed to—see. He has collected hundreds of thousands of pages over his long career. This extraordinary catalogue features his passionate, indefatigable quest to make sense of the texture and nuance of growing up. His commitment to craft has impressed upon Presti and piqued the interest of Steven Hinkie. Hinkie was so influenced by Caro that he even named his firm—87 Capital—after Caro’s second book on Johnson, “Means of Ascent.”
Back on solid ground in the new world of sports, Presti’s inspiration from Caro’s ethos shows itself in all aspects of the Thunder’s long-term vision and growth. He argues that achieving that kind of excellence will demand a commitment to learning from the past but being agile enough to meet the unknown challenges of the future.
“If we want to pursue excellence, we have to let go of last year and start again, turning every page, stacking every day with no guarantees, and of course, no silver platters.” – Sam Presti
Presti believes that this new approach is the key to unlocking his team’s full potential. He believes that thorough analysis and an openness to various possibilities are critical in navigating the competitive landscape of the NBA.
“We have to really understand and go through every iteration to ensure that we’re not shutting off potential pathways that could really help us or get us to another level, whether it’s now or in the future. … I think by turning every page, you give yourself every opportunity.” – Sam Presti
Caro’s philosophy isn’t just hitting with leaders on the basketball court, either. In Silicon Valley, many entrepreneurs read his works as they seek to apply his principles of diligence in their own fields. The historian’s ability to peel back the layers of human behavior and decision-making has proven valuable in numerous different sectors.
Even as a major force for good himself, Caro is modest about his ability to help others find purpose. Most importantly, he explains that ultimately it’s players and coaches who win titles, not writers like him.
“It’s flattering to think my motto played a role,” – Robert Caro
Caro particularly enjoys going deep on the topic that’s recently become his passion, the New York Knicks. He’s been an enthusiastic rooting interest for this particular team for his adult life. His most cherished memory is Game 7 of the 1970 NBA Finals. That electrifying game had the Knicks winning their very first championship title in the NBA over the Los Angeles Lakers.
Now 89, Caro casts a curious eye on today’s basketball fortunes—a mixture of wistfulness and disapproval. Most recently, he mourned the loss of the Knicks in the Eastern Conference finals to the Indiana Pacers.
“It was a bad night,” – Robert Caro
Caro’s elaborate research has changed his thinking. More importantly, it has infused enthusiasm and curiosity across the country, leading many others to adopt similar data-driven methodologies in their own pursuits. Additionally, he is regularly touched by the letters he gets from people describing how his work has made a difference in their life.
“I have to tell you, without exaggerating, I get a lot of letters from people saying they’ve adopted that as their motto or they understand what it meant. So to have [Presti], who is a great basketball executive, say that, I’m very touched by it.” – Robert Caro
The bond between Presti and Caro shows that lessons from history can seriously cross both time and discipline. Their mutual dedication to thorough investigation and constant evolution rings true in the fast-paced and innovative realm of professional athletics.
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