Using data and evidence to make better decisions is one of our foundational beliefs, yet some of the sports world is just finally catching on.

The May episode of 60 Minutes Sports on Showtime looks at the use of analytics in the NBA. The episode features the MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference and shows how data is helping teams make better decisions about players and players make better decisions on the court.

Much like when traditional investment wisdom was turned on its head, the NBA has learned that it’s not always the highest vertical jump, the fastest dribbler or the most slam dunks that indicate the best recruit or combination of players. As their understanding of the data continues to evolve, it helps coaches and owners make more informed decisions for the long run.

You can watch a trailer of “The Revolution of Sports Analytics” report or Showtime subscribers can watch the full episode (Episode 5) OnDemand or via Showtime. More information and links are available here.

Warren Buffett attributes part of his success to what he calls winning the Ovarian Lottery. He was born to parents in the U.S. who supported him and he grew up at a time when his financial skills at allocating capital provided great rewards.

My wife, Lynn, and I agree with his assessment and believe that luck has been a huge part of our lives. That belief is at the core of why we support children’s charities. Our two favorites, described below, give kids who aren’t ovarian lottery winners a better chance at living a good life.

Angels’ Arms keeps foster siblings together by furnishing homes and providing resources for foster parents. Founded in 2000, Angels Arms currently has 10 homes located throughout the St. Louis area.

Epworth Children’s Home provides housing, education and counseling to children of ages 12-20 who suffered abuse or neglect. More than 5,300 youth and families turn to Epworth each year for emergency shelter, family reunification therapy, transitional and independent living programs, special education, foster family care, prevention services and a 24-hour help line.

Hill Investment Group’s penchant for boiling down complex issues into simple visual ideas is one of the many things I believe sets us apart. It’s a piece of what made Hill immediately comfortable to me, as over the past decade I’ve been applying these concepts to the communication of personal financial data.

Academic studies show that people only remember a tiny percentage of what they hear and only slightly more of what they read. But we retain a majority of what we see and actively experience—and the use of color can even further increase understanding.

Having clarity in financial infrastructure—particularly in complex situations—is critical to contextual financial decision-making. Visualization techniques have proven a highly effective manner for providing that clearly.

I look forward to further exploring how visualization impacts financial understanding and, ultimately, success.