So I’ve been writing for a couple months now, experimenting with a few different angles related to NBA statistics. If I had to break it down, I would say original research, player evaluation, team evaluation, and interpretive analysis are perhaps the main subcategories. After watching the old MIT Sports Analytics Conference videos again the other night, I was reminded of the many different uses for and application of advanced statistical measures in the NBA. It is both exciting and frustrating to know that there are brilliant minds in this league with superior resources to my own, including time, manpower, finances, and intellectual capacity. It is perhaps easy to show humility in the wake of a driven billionaire like Mark Cuban, who was passionate enough about advanced basketball metrics to become a prominent investor in Synergy Sports.
That being said, I was hoping to open the floor to you all regarding the use of statistics – both in the NBA in general and here at Red94. Clearly there are several different uses for statistics. Coaches, scouts, and management (and sometimes players) use statistics (at varying levels of sophistication..) to gain any advantage possible, whether it’s on the court or through player transactions.
From the fan’s perspective, the level of statistical depth depends on both the will and sophistication of the observer. While it’s fun to play “armchair GM” (and I’ll be the first to do it), there comes the sobering reality that whatever conclusions you draw, the actual decision-makers will always be more informed with better information. So, to the observer whose career does not depend on the accuracy of his conclusions, given limited data and resources, isn’t it almost futile to compete? Gone are the days of any advantage being drawn from the antiquated box score – even advanced derived metrics like PER.
My question is, what is the biggest reason you all are interested in basketball statistics? Is it more out of passive interest, the urge to play “armchair GM”, or to just better understand the game? (or something else?) Genuine responses are appreciated – I’ll try to cater future posts to your interests.
