lol u mad?








Nah not really. This is an agenda free post, but now that I got you all in here I think whether your with or against analytics in basketball there were some really good/short podcasts from SLOAN this weekend that are worth your time. For those of you who study analytics--a lot of this is not new, but unless you have some insider info--there is still some insightful information here.

HERE: http://espn.go.com/espnradio/grantland/player?id=9012769 (podcast version)


For those of you not into analytics a) I think theres some real good basic information around how they can be used and b) there's just some good behind the scenes antecdotal information that talks about the backrooms and war rooms of NBA player trades and acquisitions.

I really think these are worth a listen. The podcast version has 3 interviews with Zach Lowe that are like 15 min each. During my commute I broke down each one for you so you can ffwd around if you want.

1) Daryl Morey- say what you will about Morey. I think he's one of the most important GMS in sports whether his moves are right or wrong because of the level of transparency he has. The insight he gives allow us common fans to get an idea of what really happens in the back rooms of our favorite teams.

1:30 Talks briefly about how Sloan has come from 50 ppl to 3k, and that he uses it to find people to work for him.
2:10 Great insight on the anatomy of how NBA trades happen. (recommended)
6:50 Kyle Lowry Trade for picks leading to James Harden
7:40 Harden expectations
8:38 Omer Asik and his defensive importance to Houston
11:35 How the Rockets were waaaay off the radar prior to acquiring Lin, Harden, and Omer. (HI SPM)
12:40 Restricted FA offer sheet insight.
17:07 Chandler Parsons has asked to have his contract restructured (recommended)
19:05 Talks about how trades affect team rotations and how coaching staffs feel about trades. This gave me an idea that Mchale and crew weren't thrilled giving PPAt to Sac in the midst of a playoff race but that not all moves are done with the blessings of all sides.

2)Can't remember the name of the guy but the VP of STATS--the company who introduced the SPORTSVU cameras that record like 25 frames a second of geodata on an NBA court. Listen to this and ask yourself why your team doesnt have this yet (15 teams have it). I mean its just data--but youre at a competitive disadvantage if your team doesnt have this .

24:50-talks about the cameras and their basic use. How they provide contextual information to traditional bobby boxscores.
27:12 rehash of Kevin Love being the hardest runner in the league.
29:18 names the 15 teams that have it including the Knicks who are surprising because theyre a big money market team.
29:44 NYK analytic talk
30:44 Y'all will love this CARMELO TALK: last 2 seasons Carmelo leads NBA in EFG (effective FG % buckets off his direct passes) Thats right leads the league--not just F's. I think the number was 61%
34:20 cant read what I wrote lol
36:30 Rudy Gay Trade and some anecdotal evidence around what analytics may tell (Memph surprisingly doesnt have cameras yet)

3) Ben Alamar former VP of Analytics for OKC (this was a good listen for me)

38:50 Thunders analytical decision behind drafting Wessy. In that draft they were down to drafting 2 guys, Wessy or Brook Lopez (who fell to 10)

44:30 Analytical data available on Ibaka or other overseas players.

45:50 How to get decision makers to look at analytics from nerds.

48:20 Krossover game he developed where you watch game film and make decisions. Interestingly enough--it shows that players make decisions better and faster than front office guys...Their brains just work differently. i havent played it yet myself but am gonna get on it once I clear up some morning work.

check this: http://www.krossover.com/


BONUS: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/espn-the-b.s.-report-bill/id254098743
This weeks BS report--Bill sits down with Zach Lowe again fresh off his weekend at SLOAN.

Ive only listened to the 1st 10 minutes but was really excited by what I heard. Sounds like theyre breaking down the best stuff from the weekend. Right now where Im at theyre talking Defense and Lowe's obsession with NBA defense--was interesting to me considering that Elite NBA PG post.



I'd love it if a bunch of yall listened to these and we could talk about this stuff in this post. I didnt used to be an analytics guy at all. If you look back far enough in the archives you might find a post or two of me hating on them, but I have to say all this information about basketball really excites me. Whether its right or wrong--just more sports shit to talk about.

I guess Im a NERD too

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"though time has passed, im still the future" (c) black thought