Arguably the best example of analytics at work in a development/personnel setting.
Ellis being traded from the Warriors paved the way for the Klay Thompson trade and unlocked Steph Curry.
The data said Ellis was good but inefficient; the fan eye test said he was a ‘real hooper’.
The data ultimately paved the way for the Warriors dynasty built around pace and space with the acquisition of Klay and offense being built around Steph.
I had to revisit this because this is so bad and corny. Josh Hart is by no means a Hooper. Specifically what we consider to be a Hooper in the NBA context. No bag. Not a shot creator. Not a Hooper. He's not a crazy knockdown shooter either.
So one would ask "why is he still in the league?" And it's because the white nerdy unathletic guys have figured that the team is better when he is on the court. He provides so much more than the traditional box score would lead to believe. This is why we should not only continue to have him on the court, but maybe shift our lineup philosophy around to feature a guy who is 6 foot five at the power forward. Analytics love, Josh Hart. And in the era that he and some of the other others are champion, they would throw him away.
I hate people who are anti-math and science, but then use math and science in their everyday lives without acknowledging math and science. Maybe I need to listen to the full episode, which I will, to get the full context, but this was a great opportunity for them to have a full and nuance conversation that seemingly is wasted because agendas need to be pushed
Watching the game allows for nuance & context that data can’t account for. Data accounts for every minute of game and captures a bigger picture that allows for accuracy > feelings.
If unwilling to recognize and understand the value of both, there is no conversation worth having
A SIX FOOT FOUR SMALL BALL POWER FORWARD IS TELLING US ANALYTICS ARE BAD???!!
Your literal role in the NBA exists BECAUSE analytics showed your value you fucking moron!!
🚨 A recent study published in the Journal of Sports Economics found that hiring just ONE additional analytics staffer gives an NBA team as much value as spending $9 million more on player salary (‼️)
Let’s break down what researchers found 🧵
@morelikemensa Toronto & Detroit with either JB or Kawhi, & ATL with anyone better than Kuminga are the scariest imo, & maybe Boston depending on returns, bcuz I still think we beat the Heat. If Coby is enuf of a playmaker, Charlotte is hot. But if we stay Locked In, no reason why not
The Spacing with drives & cuts, The playmaking through ball movement & unselfishness, The game-planning & Adjustments.
Kat-Hub, JA-JB handles, All-Star OG, & a finally free Kal
Time to see it all for a whole season!
"I kept saying last year…'yo people are locked in differently this summer'…got so close…And I think we have a special chance to do something special again next year because–we're gonna enjoy this–but we're locked in. I've never seen such a locked in crew"
– Deuce McBride