ESPN mentioned the following in one of their Weekend Dime columns a while back:

Danny Ainge, meanwhile, is said to be a longtime Iverson fan, with AI apparently possessing the Michael Jordan brain type and with the Celts’ personnel boss known to be a big believer in brain-typing.”

Reading this, I didn’t quite know what was meant by brain-typing, so I did some sleuthing to learn more. Fascinating stuff. Here are a few links and blurbs that stuck out at me.

Larry Bird and Michael Jordan are BEIR brain types.

Their inborn design is described by one of Brain Typing’s 16 acronyms: BEIR. “B” represents a genetic predisposition for the Back of the brain where deep concentration and intensity reside as opposed to the front’s active and energetic state, which minimizes contemplation. “E” stands for Empirical—relying on sight and observation instead of concepts and theory. “I” signifies the Inanimate world which is more interested in logic, systems, and things than relating to people, pursuing harmony, or trusting feelings. Lastly, “R” equates to the Right brain, the hemisphere adept at peripheral vision and smooth, adaptable motor movements in contrast to the left hemisphere that specializes in tunnel vision and more mechanical, preplanned motor movements. Athletes born with the BEIR Brain Type can develop superior hand-eye coordination and athletic skills. This design is debatably the superior athlete in most sports.

Pretty interesting stuff. Jon Niednagel started this phenomenon and is famous for his prediction the Peyton Manning would be an NFL star and Ryan Leaf would perform poorly. For a bit more on Niednagel, here’s a transcript from a 2002 episode of ESPN’s Outside the Lines. It touches on Ainge’s belief in Niednagel’s craft.

DANNY AINGE, PHOENIX SUNS HEAD COACH – You can take Red Auerbach, Jerry West, Phil Jackson –I’d take Jon Niednagel.