Who was Martin Manley? ESPN released the trailer for Chasing Basketball Heaven, a new 30 for 30 podcast about how Manley revolutionized the game of basketball.
Who Was Martin Manley?
The 3-point shot changed everything. Martin Manley’s book “Basketball Heaven” pioneered analytical concepts around what drives the game today 🏀
30 for 30 Podcast: ‘Chasing Basketball Heaven’ premieres July 22nd on the ESPN App, https://t.co/W4a6zvOwfh, and wherever podcasts are… pic.twitter.com/5q0uoSTpbl
— 30 for 30 (@30for30) July 10, 2025
The name “Martin Manley” is not a household name. However, most basketball fans have likely heard of efficacy.
In the 1980s, the Kansas native Manley began studying the NBA with an analytical approach. Through his research, Manley created the NBA’s efficiency rating, or EFF. The goal was to better track a player’s value to a team through their overall production, not just one statistical category.
Manley’s formula for efficiency:
NBA Efficiency Formula = (Points)+(Rebounds)+(Steals)+(Assists)+(Blocked Shots)-(Turnovers)-(Missed Shots)
Manley began publishing his work in a series of books titled Martin Manley’s Basketball Heaven. Released in the late ’80s, Manley’s work was ahead of its time.
Today’s NBA is extremely analytically driven. Every single team has staff members who focus strictly on analytics.
While John Hollinger’s player efficiency rating (PER) is now more widely accepted, Manley’s efficiency rating laid the foundation for the rise of NBA analytics.
Manley’s life came to a tragic end in 2013, which he documented on his website.
Inside Chasing Basketball Heaven: An ESPN 30 For 30 Podcast
Has the 3-pointer ruined basketball?
That’s the opening question in the trailer for the new basketball podcast, Chasing Basketball Heaven. The six-episode podcast explores Manley, a Kansas genius who permanently changed the game of basketball.”
Manley’s Basketball Heaven inspired the 3-point revolution that has infiltrated today’s game. Manley was a rather peculiar figure whose life ended abruptly, but his contributions to the game of basketball deserve recognition.
“The trouble is, his story didn’t turn out quite the way he imagined, but it ended exactly as he planned,” a voiceover states in the trailer.
Journalists Nick Altschuller and Rich Levine conducted the research for the podcast in hopes of further understanding Manley and his method to the madness.
Actor and comedian Craig Kilborn provides the voice of Manley. The podcast features commentary from Bill James, the iconic baseball historian and statistician; Kevin Pelton, an NBA and WNBA writer for ESPN; and former NBA players Dale Ellis and Brian Taylor.
Chasing Basketball Heaven is executive produced by Oscar winner Adam McKay. The podcast is produced by Hyperobject Industries and Meadowlark Media in partnership with ESPN.
Chasing Basketball Heaven premieres on July 22. Listen on ESPN.com, the ESPN App, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeart, and wherever podcasts are available.
