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End of NBA Regular Season, Quality Index Rankings, #1-30

Thursday, April 15th, 2010

At the conclusion of an 82 game schedule …

 

LEGITIMATE CONTENDERS TO WIN THE NBA CHAMPIONSHIP

[as of Thursday April 15, 2010]

 

TEAM

W

L

W%

EAST

WEST

PDR

PAR

RDR

QR

QIR

Cavaliers *

61

21

.744

1

 

2

5

1

8

1

Magic *

59

23

.720

2

 

1

4

4

9

2

Spurs *

50

32

.610

 

7

4

8

3

15

3

Jazz *

53

29

.646

 

5

3

12

5

20

4

Blazers *

50

32

.610

 

6

11

3

7

21

5

Lakers *

57

25

.695

 

1

6

9

7

22

6

Heat *

47

35

.573

5

 

13

2

11

26

T-7

Bobcats *

44

38

.537

7

 

15

1

10

26

T-7

Thunder *

50

32

.610

 

8

10

11

6

27

9

Hawks *

53

29

.646

3

 

6

9

16

31

10

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bucks *

46

36

.561

6

 

14

7

17

38

11

Celtics *

50

32

.610

4

 

9

5

25

39

12

Bulls *

41

41

.500

8

 

18

13

9

40

13

Grizzlies

40

42

.488

 

 

17

24

2

43

14

Suns *

54

28

.659

 

3

5

26

13

44

15

Nuggets *

53

29

.646

 

4

8

20

22

50

16

Mavericks *

55

27

.671

 

2

12

15

24

51

17

Pistons

27

55

.329

 

 

27

13

12

52

18

Rockets

42

40

.512

 

 

16

21

21

58

19

76ers

27

55

.329

 

 

24

18

18

60

T-20

Clippers

29

53

.354

 

 

28

19

13

60

T-20

Wizards

26

56

.317

 

 

26

16

19

61

22

Kings

25

57

.305

 

 

25

25

15

65

23

Hornets

37

45

.451

 

 

20

21

26

67

24

Raptors

40

42

.488

9

 

19

27

22

68

25

Pacers

32

50

.390

 

 

21

23

29

73

T-26

Nets

12

70

.146

 

 

29

17

27

73

T-26

Knicks

29

53

.354

 

 

23

27

28

78

T-28

Timberwolves

15

67

.183

 

 

30

29

19

78

T-28

Warriors

26

56

.317

 

 

22

30

30

82

30

LEGEND: W – Wins; L - Losses; Win% - Winning Percentage; PDR – Points Differential Ranking; PAR – Points Allowed Ranking; RDR – Rebounding Differential Ranking; QR – Quality Rating [i.e. PDR + PAR + RDR = QR]; QIR – Quality Index Ranking [i.e. QR/#1-30]; * - Clinched playoff position.

there are now 10 teams left with a legitimate opportunity to win this year’s league championship … none of which are the Mavericks [W2], Suns [W3], Nuggets [W4], Celtics [E4], Bucks [E6] or Bulls [E8], according to the recent history of the NBA.

Related:

What it takes to win the NBA Championship

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Posted in Analytics, Basketball, NBA | No Comments »

Legitimate contenders in the NBA, as of April 5

Tuesday, April 6th, 2010

With a little more than 1 week left in the regular season schedule …

 

LEGITIMATE CONTENDERS TO WIN THE NBA CHAMPIONSHIP

[as of Monday April 5, 2010]

 

TEAM

W

L

W%

EAST

WEST

PDR

PAR

RDR

QR

QIR

Cavaliers *

60

17

.779

1

 

1

5

2

8

1

Magic *

54

23

.701

2

 

2

4

4

10

2

Spurs *

47

29

.618

 

7

4

7

4

15

3

Jazz *

50

27

.649

 

4

3

12

6

21

T-4

Lakers *

55

22

.714

 

1

5

9

7

21

T-4

Blazers *

47

30

.610

 

8

11

3

8

22

6

Thunder *

48

28

.623

 

6

10

10

3

23

7

Heat

43

34

.558

5

 

12

2

10

24

8

Bobcats

40

36

.528

7

 

15

1

11

31

9

Hawks *

49

27

.645

3

 

6

10

18

34

10

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bucks

42

34

.553

6

 

14

8

17

39

11

Celtics *

48

28

.632

4

 

9

6

25

40

T-12

Grizzlies

39

37

.513

 

 

16

23

1

40

T-12

Bulls

37

39

.487

9

 

19

14

9

42

14

Nuggets *

50

27

.649

 

3

8

20

20

48

15

Suns *

50

27

.649

 

5

7

28

14

49

16

Mavericks *

50

27

.649

 

2

13

15

24

52

T-17

Pistons

23

53

.303

 

 

27

13

12

52

T-17

76ers

26

50

.342

 

 

24

17

16

57

19

Rockets

38

38

.500

 

 

17

21

22

60

T-20

Clippers

27

50

.351

 

 

28

19

13

60

T-20

Kings

24

53

.312

 

 

25

25

15

65

T-22

Wizards

23

53

.303

 

 

26

16

23

65

T-22

Raptors

38

38

.500

8

 

18

27

21

66

24

Hornets

35

43

.449

 

 

20

22

26

68

25

Pacers

29

48

.377

 

 

21

24

28

73

T-26

Nets

11

66

.143

 

 

29

17

27

73

T-26

Knicks

27

49

.355

 

 

22

26

29

77

28

Timberwolves

15

62

.195

 

 

30

29

19

78

29

Warriors

23

53

.303

 

 

23

30

30

83

30

LEGEND: W – Wins; L - Losses; Win% - Winning Percentage; PDR – Points Differential Ranking; PAR – Points Allowed Ranking; RDR – Rebounding Differential Ranking; QR – Quality Rating [i.e. PDR + PAR + RDR = QR]; QIR – Quality Index Ranking [i.e. QR/#1-30]; * - Clinched playoff position.

there are 10 teams with a legitimate opportunity to win this year’s league championship … none of which are the Mavericks, Nuggets, Suns, Celtics, Bucks, Raptors or Bulls.

Related:

What it takes to win the NBA Championship

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Analytics, Basketball, NBA | 6 Comments »

RAPTORS vs 76ers: 15 Key Possessions in the 4th quarter

Monday, March 8th, 2010

When crunch time happens in a NBA game, it’s the team which can respond with the best Offensive/Defensive/Rebounding execution that usually triumphs.

Philadelphia 76ers 114
TORONTO RAPTORS 101
Complete Game Info

In yesterday’s contest:

After Toronto cut Philly’s lead to 7 points, mid-way in the 4th quarter…

[Full Play-By-Play]

PHILADELPHIA 76ERS

 

TORONTO RAPTORS

 

06:26
[TOR 87-94]

Calderon 3pt Shot: Made (3 PTS) Assist: Jack (7 AST) 

Team Timeout : Regular 

06:26

 

TEAM

PG

OG

SF

PF

C

Start

End

Diff

Dur

PHI

Holiday

Green

Iguodala

Young

Brand

94

100

-1

2:22

TOR

Calderon

Jack

Wright

Bosh

Bargnani

87

94

+1

 

#1. Iguodala Fade Away Jumper Shot: Made (16 PTS) 

Vs Wright [tough contested shot]

06:02
[PHI 96-87]

 

 

05:45
[TOR 89-96]

#1. Calderon Pullup Jump shot: Made (5 PTS) 

#2. Brand Fade Away Jumper Shot: Made (12 PTS) 

Vs Bosh [tough contested shot]

05:20
[PHI 98-89]

 

 

05:03

#2. Bargnani 3pt Shot: Missed 

 

05:02

Bosh Rebound (Off:4 Def:8) 

Brand Foul : Personal (5 PF) 

05:01

 

 

04:49
[TOR 91-98]

#3. Wright Layup Shot: Made (5 PTS) Assist: Jack (8 AST) 

#3. Holiday Layup Shot: Made (16 PTS) 

Vs Jack [+ Bargnani, tough contested shot]

04:29
[PHI 100-91]

 

 

04:12
[TOR 94-100]

#4. Calderon 3pt Shot: Made (8 PTS) Assist: Jack (9 AST) 

 

04:04

Jack Foul : Personal (2 PF) 

Brand Substitution replaced by Dalembert 

04:04

 

Green Substitution replaced by Williams 

04:04

 

TEAM

PG

OG

SF

PF

C

Start

End

Diff

Dur

PHI

Holiday

Williams

Iguodala

Young

Dalembert

100

109

+7

2:42

TOR

Calderon

Jack

Wright

Bosh

Bargnani

94

96

-7

 

#4. Williams Driving Layup Shot: Made (12 PTS) 

03:51
[PHI 102-94]

 

Holiday Foul : Personal (1 PF) 

03:35

 

 

03:32

#5. Calderon Foul : Offensive (3 PF) 

 

03:32

Calderon Turnover : Foul (3 TO) 

#5. Holiday 3pt Shot: Made (19 PTS) Assist: Iguodala (9 AST)

Vs Bosh [+ Calderon, Switching Man-Zone Defense] 

03:13
[PHI 105-94]

 

 

02:55

#6. Bosh Driving Layup Shot: Missed 

Dalembert Rebound (Off:0 Def:1) 

02:53

 

#6. Holiday Driving Layup Shot: Made (21 PTS) 

Vs Jack [+ Bargnani, tough contested shot]

02:34
[PHI 107-94]

 

 

02:33

Team Timeout : Regular 

 

02:27

#7. Calderon 3pt Shot: Missed 

Dalembert Rebound (Off:0 Def:2) 

02:26

 

#7. Iguodala Jump Shot: Missed 

02:06

 

Dalembert Rebound (Off:1 Def:2) 

02:05

 

#8. Dalembert Fade Away Jumper Shot: Made (6 PTS) 

Vs Bosh

02:03
[PHI 109-94]

 

the Raptors responded by scoring on only 3 of their 7 ensuing possessions …

i.e. J2; J3; O-Reb-LU; J3; OFF PF/TO; DLU; J3 [Conversion = 42.9%] 

while the 76ers responded by scoring on 7 on their next 8 possessions …

i.e. FA-J2; FA-J2; LU; LU; J3; DLU; J2; O-Reb-J2 [Conversion = 87.5%].

Specifically, what happened during these 15 possessions to cement the victory for the 76ers? 

FOR PHILADELPHIA

- Andre Iguodala hit a tough fade-away jump shot vs Antoine Wright … primarily because Iguodala is a better basketball player than Wright, with a higher skill level, overall and superior athleticism

- Elton Brand made a tough [i.e. highly contested], fade-away jump shot in a right block post-up situation vs Chris Bosh

- Jrue Holiday made 2 terrific drives to the basket vs Jarrett Jack [Primary Defender] and Andrea Bargnani [Secondary Defender/Made unsuccessful shot block attempt]

- Holiday made a big 3PT shot when the Raptors were scrambled on defense, switching between Man-2-Man and Zone coverage

- Samuel Dalembert [Primary defender] and Iguodala [Secondary defender] did a good job contesting Chris Bosh’s driving layup attempt without fouling

- Dalembert secured a big offensive rebound and made a solid jump shot vs Chris Bosh

FOR TORONTO

- Jarrett Jack was repeatedly beaten off the dribble by Jrue Holiday

- Andrea Bargnani missed a 3PT shot

- After keeping the Raptors in the game with 2 big made jump shots, Jose Calderon made an uncharacteristic Turnover [Offensive PF] and missed a 3PT shot 

- Chris Bosh was ineffective … after re-injuring his ankle during the early stages of the 4th quarter [10:19], leaving to have it re-tapped, and then re-entering the game at the 7:54 mark … and surrendered a difficult fade-away jump shot to Elton Brand and an uncontested jump shot to Samuel Dalembert [after giving up an offensive rebound]

IN GENERAL

- Philadelphia’s two 5-man units of …

a. Holiday + Williams + Iguodala + Young + Brand
b. Holiday + Williams + Iguodala + Young + Dalembert

were too athletic and dynamic for the Raptors’ quintet of …

Calderon + Jack [?]+ Wright [?] + Bosh [re-injured?] + Bargnani [?].

LOOKING AHEAD

If the Raptors are going to maintain their current 6th place standing in the Eastern Conference, working through their upcoming 4-game west coast road trip, they will need to:

1. Have the services of a healthy Chris Bosh;

and,

2. Use a different combination of players to finish games.

If the Raptors do not have these 2 things occur, however, their fans will need to brace themselves for the rocky road ahead …

which just might see this team:

i. Lose, at least, 3 of their next 4 games;

ii. A. Have to battle the Chicago Bulls for the 8th and final playoff position, coming down the stretch, and the right to be eliminated from the post-season by the Cleveland Cavaliers/#1;

or,

ii. B. Perhaps miss the playoffs entirely;

and, then,

iii. Have a very difficult time retaining the future services of Chris Bosh, as he heads towards unrestricted free agency this coming summer.

—————————-

Related:

Raptor alarmed by lack of team focus

Tags: ,
Posted in Analytics, Basketball, NBA | 2 Comments »

Coming down the home stretch, Legitimate Contenders for the 2009-2010 NBA Championship

Monday, March 1st, 2010

Every year since the 2000-2001 season, each of the two teams which have reached the NBA Finals (i.e. the Champion and the Finalist) have also finished the regular season schedule with a Quality Rating (QR) of 34, or better, and a Quality Index Rank (QIR) of #11 or better (when compared to all playoff teams that year) … i.e. What it takes to win the NBA Championship.

If the NBA Playoffs were to start today, this is what the list of legitimate contenders to win the championship actually looks like:

LEGITIMATE CONTENDERS TO WIN THE NBA CHAMPIONSHIP

[as of Sun Feb 28 2010]

TEAM

W-L REC

WIN %

PDR

PAR

RDR

QR

QIR

ECPT-QIR

WCPT-QIR

Cavaliers

46-14

.767

1

5

1

7

1

1

 

Magic

40-20

.667

3

6

5

14

2

2

 

Lakers

45-15

.750

2

8

5

15

3

 

3

Spurs

33-24

.579

8

9

3

20

4

 

4

Thunder

35-23

.603

9

7

5

21

5

 

5

Jazz

38-21

.644

4

13

5

22

6

 

6

Blazers

35-27

.565

11

4

10

25

7

 

7

Bobcats

28-29

.491

14

2

12

28

8

8

 

Heat

29-31

.483

14

3

12

29

9

 

 

Celtics

36-21

.632

6

1

23

30

10

9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bulls

31-28

.525

19

14

4

37

11

10

 

Bucks

30-29

.508

13

11

14

38

12

11

 

Hawks

37-21

.638

6

12

24

42

13

12

 

Grizzlies

30-29

.508

18

23

2

43

14

 

 

Pistons

21-38

.356

25

10

9

44

15

 

 

Mavericks

39-21

.650

12

15

18

45

16

 

13

Nuggets

39-20

.661

5

22

22

49

17

 

14

76ers

22-36

.379

21

17

14

52

T-18

 

 

Clippers

24-35

.407

25

16

11

52

T-18

 

 

Rockets

29-29

.500

16

21

18

55

T-20

 

 

Hornets

31-29

.517

20

19

26

55

T-20

 

 

Suns

37-24

.607

10

29

20

59

22

 

15

Wizards

21-36

.368

23

20

20

63

23

 

 

Knicks

20-38

.345

22

25

29

66

24

 

 

Raptors

31-27

.534

17

26

24

67

25

16

 

Kings

20-39

.339

25

27

16

68

26

 

 

Timberwolves

14-47

.230

29

28

17

74

27

 

 

Nets

6-53

.102

30

18

27

75

28

 

 

Pacers

20-39

.339

28

24

28

80

29

 

 

Warriors

17-41

.293

24

30

30

84

30

 

 

LEGEND: W-L REC – Won-Loss Record; WIN % - Winning Percentage; PDR – Points Differential Ranking; PAR – Points Allowed Ranking; RDR – Rebounding Differential Ranking; QR – Quality Rating [i.e. PDR + PAR + RDR]; QIR – Quality Index Ranking [i.e. No. 1-30]; ECPT-QIR – Eastern Conference Playoff Teams Quality Index Ranking; WCPT-QIR – Western Conference Playoff Team Quality Index Ranking; Blue Shade – Eastern Conference Playoff Teams; Red Shade – Western Conference Playoff Teams.

There are only 9 teams in the hunt with a little more than 1 month’s worth of games left to be played.

4 in the Eastern Conference:

Cleveland Cavaliers [#1]
Orlando Magic [#2]
Charlotte Bobcats [#8], and
Boston Celtics [#9];

and,

5 in the Western Conference:

Los Angeles Lakers [#3]
San Antonio Spurs [#4]
Oklahoma City Thunder [#5]
Utah Jazz [#6], and
Portland Trail Blazers [#7].

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Posted in Analytics, Basketball, NBA | No Comments »

Most Efficient Teams in the NBA, Pre All-Star Break

Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010

When the numbers are crunched … 

NBA 2009-2010

PRE ALL-STAR BREAK

TEAM EFFECTIVENESS RANKINGS

[as of Thu Feb 11 2010]

TEAM

W-L REC

WIN %

PDR

PAR

RDR

QR

QIR

OFF

POSS/G

DEF

POSS/G

O-PPP

O-PPP

RK

D-PPP

D-

PPP

RK

PPP

DIFF

PPP

DIFF

RK

CAVALIERS 1

43-11

0.796

1

2

1

4

1

103

104

0.99

T-2

0.91

T-5

0.08

1

CELTICS 4

32-18

0.640

5

1

23

29

9

103

105

0.96

T-7

0.89

T-1

0.07

2

MAGIC 2

36-18

0.667

3

7

5

15

2

104

106

0.97

T-5

0.91

T-5

0.06

T-3

LAKERS 1

41-13

0.759

2

9

7

18

T-4

109

108

0.95

T-12

0.89

T-1

0.06

T-3

JAZZ 3

32-19

0.627

6

12

9

27

T-7

106

106

0.97

T-5

0.92

T-8

0.05

T-5

NUGGETS 2

35-18

0.660

4

22

18

44

T-13

109

109

0.98

4

0.93

T-12

0.05

T-5

SPURS 5

30-21

0.588

6

8

3

17

3

105

104

0.96

T-7

0.92

T-8

0.04

T-7

SUNS 7

31-22

0.585

10

29

25

64

T-22

110

112

1.00

1

0.96

T-23

0.04

T-7

THUNDER 6

30-21

0.588

9

5

4

18

T-4

107

107

0.92

T-18

0.89

T-1

0.03

T-9

HAWKS 3

33-18

0.647

8

11

20

39

11

105

105

0.96

T-7

0.93

T-12

0.03

T-9

MAVERICKS 4

32-20

0.615

12

15

20

47

T-16

105

107

0.96

T-7

0.93

T-12

0.03

T-9

BLAZERS 8

31-24

0.564

11

4

6

21

6

102

101

0.96

T-7

0.94

T-16

0.02

T-12

HEAT 7

26-27

0.491

13

6

15

34

10

103

104

0.94

T-15

0.92

T-8

0.02

T-12

RAPTORS 5

29-23

0.558

17

26

24

67

25

106

108

0.99

T-2

0.97

T-29

0.02

T-12

BOBCATS 6

26-25

0.510

13

2

12

27

T-7

105

104

0.91

T-22

0.91

T-5

0.00

T-15

HORNETS

28-25

0.528

19

19

26

64

T-22

106

107

0.95

T-12

0.95

T-19

0.00

T-15

KNICKS

19-32

0.373

21

24

27

72

27

108

109

0.94

T-15

0.95

T-19

-0.01

T-17

WARRIORS

13-40

0.245

24

30

30

84

30

113

116

0.95

T-12

0.96

T-23

-0.01

T-17

BULLS 8

25-26

0.490

22

14

8

44

T-13

109

108

0.88

T-27

0.90

4

-0.02

T-19

BUCKS

24-27

0.471

15

13

18

46

15

109

106

0.90

T-24

0.92

T-8

-0.02

T-19

ROCKETS

27-24

0.529

16

18

16

50

19

110

107

0.92

T-18

0.94

T-16

-0.02

T-19

PACERS

18-34

0.346

28

25

28

81

29

110

111

0.90

T-24

0.93

T-12

-0.03

T-22

76ERS

20-32

0.385

20

16

13

49

18

106

106

0.92

T-18

0.95

T-19

-0.03

T-22

GRIZZLIES

26-25

0.510

18

23

2

43

12

110

107

0.93

17

0.96

T-23

-0.03

T-22

CLIPPERS

21-31

0.404

26

17

16

59

20

106

106

0.90

T-24

0.94

T-16

-0.04

T-25

WIZARDS

17-33

0.340

25

21

20

66

24

107

107

0.91

T-22

0.95

T-19

-0.04

T-25

KINGS

18-34

0.346

23

27

11

61

21

111

110

0.92

T-18

0.96

T-23

-0.04

T-25

PISTONS

18-33

0.353

27

10

10

47

T-16

105

100

0.87

29

0.96

T-23

-0.09

T-28

T-WOLVES

13-40

0.245

29

28

14

71

26

112

110

0.88

T-27

0.97

T-29

-0.09

T-28

NETS

04-48

0.077

30

20

29

79

28

105

105

0.86

30

0.96

T-23

-0.1

30

LEGEND: W-L REC – Won-Loss Record; WIN% - Winning Percentage; PDR – Points Differential Ranking; PAR – Points Allowed Ranking; RDR – Rebounding Differential Ranking; QR – Quality Rating [i.e. PDR + PAR + RDR]; QIR – Quality Index Ranking [i.e. No. 1-30]; O-POSS/G – Offensive Possessions/Game [i.e. Possessions = FGA’s + TO’s + FTA’s*.44]; D-POSS/G – Defensive Possessions/Game; O-PPP – Offensive Points Per Possession; O-PPP RK – Offensive Points Per Possession Ranking; D-PPP – Defensive Points Per Possession; D-PPP RK – Defensive Points Per Possession Ranking; PPP-DIFF – Points Per Possession Differential; PPP-DIFF RK – Points Per Possession Differential Ranking; Blue Shade – Eastern Conference playoff teams; Red Shade – Western Conference playoff teams.

 

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Most Efficient Defense in the NBA, Pre All-Star Break

Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010

The top defensive squads in the 1st half of the regular season were:

NBA 2009-2010

PRE ALL-STAR BREAK

TEAM EFFECTIVENESS RANKINGS

[as of Thu Feb 11 2010]

TEAM

W-L REC

WIN %

PDR

PAR

RDR

QR

QIR

OFF

POSS/G

DEF

POSS/G

O-PPP

O-PPP

RK

D-PPP

D-

PPP

RK

PPP

DIFF

PPP

DIFF

RK

LAKERS 1

41-13

0.759

2

9

7

18

T-4

109

108

0.95

T-12

0.89

T-1

0.06

T-3

THUNDER 6

30-21

0.588

9

5

4

18

T-4

107

107

0.92

T-18

0.89

T-1

0.03

T-9

CELTICS 4

32-18

0.640

5

1

23

29

9

103

105

0.96

T-7

0.89

T-1

0.07

2

BULLS 8

25-26

0.490

22

14

8

44

T-13

109

108

0.88

T-27

0.90

4

-0.02

T-19

CAVALIERS 1

43-11

0.796

1

2

1

4

1

103

104

0.99

T-2

0.91

T-5

0.08

1

MAGIC 2

36-18

0.667

3

7

5

15

2

104

106

0.97

T-5

0.91

T-5

0.06

T-3

BOBCATS 6

26-25

0.510

13

2

12

27

T-7

105

104

0.91

T-22

0.91

T-5

0.00

T-15

SPURS 5

30-21

0.588

6

8

3

17

3

105

104

0.96

T-7

0.92

T-8

0.04

T-7

JAZZ 3

32-19

0.627

6

12

9

27

T-7

106

106

0.97

T-5

0.92

T-8

0.05

T-5

HEAT 7

26-27

0.491

13

6

15

34

10

103

104

0.94

T-15

0.92

T-8

0.02

T-12

BUCKS

24-27

0.471

15

13

18

46

15

109

106

0.90

T-24

0.92

T-8

-0.02

T-19

HAWKS 3

33-18

0.647

8

11

20

39

11

105

105

0.96

T-7

0.93

T-12

0.03

T-9

NUGGETS 2

35-18

0.660

4

22

18

44

T-13

109

109

0.98

4

0.93

T-12

0.05

T-5

MAVERICKS 4

32-20

0.615

12

15

20

47

T-16

105

107

0.96

T-7

0.93

T-12

0.03

T-9

PACERS

18-34

0.346

28

25

28

81

29

110

111

0.90

T-24

0.93

T-12

-0.03

T-22

BLAZERS 8

31-24

0.564

11

4

6

21

6

102

101

0.96

T-7

0.94

T-16

0.02

T-12

ROCKETS

27-24

0.529

16

18

16

50

19

110

107

0.92

T-18

0.94

T-16

-0.02

T-19

CLIPPERS

21-31

0.404

26

17

16

59

20

106

106

0.90

T-24

0.94

T-16

-0.04

T-25

76ERS

20-32

0.385

20

16

13

49

18

106

106

0.92

T-18

0.95

T-19

-0.03

T-22

HORNETS

28-25

0.528

19

19

26

64

T-22

106

107

0.95

T-12

0.95

T-19

0.00

T-15

WIZARDS

17-33

0.340

25

21

20

66

24

107

107

0.91

T-22

0.95

T-19

-0.04

T-25

KNICKS

19-32

0.373

21

24

27

72

27

108

109

0.94

T-15

0.95

T-19

-0.01

17

GRIZZLIES

26-25

0.510

18

23

2

43

12

110

107

0.93

17

0.96

T-23

-0.03

T-22

PISTONS

18-33

0.353

27

10

10

47

T-16

105

100

0.87

29

0.96

T-23

-0.09

T-28

KINGS

18-34

0.346

23

27

11

61

21

111

110

0.92

T-18

0.96

T-23

-0.04

T-25

SUNS 7

31-22

0.585

10

29

25

64

T-22

110

112

1.00

1

0.96

T-23

0.04

T-7

NETS

04-48

0.077

30

20

29

79

28

105

105

0.86

30

0.96

T-23

-0.1

30

WARRIORS

13-40

0.245

24

30

30

84

30

113

116

0.95

T-12

0.96

T-23

-0.01

T-17

RAPTORS 5

29-23

0.558

17

26

24

67

25

106

108

0.99

T-2

0.97

T-29

0.02

T-12

T-WOLVES

13-40

0.245

29

28

14

71

26

112

110

0.88

T-27

0.97

T-29

-0.09

T-28

LEGEND: W-L REC – Won-Loss Record; WIN% - Winning Percentage; PDR – Points Differential Ranking; PAR – Points Allowed Ranking; RDR – Rebounding Differential Ranking; QR – Quality Rating [i.e. PDR + PAR + RDR]; QIR – Quality Index Ranking [i.e. No. 1-30]; O-POSS/G – Offensive Possessions/Game [i.e. Possessions = FGA’s + TO’s + FTA’s*.44]; D-POSS/G – Defensive Possessions/Game; O-PPP – Offensive Points Per Possession; O-PPP RK – Offensive Points Per Possession Ranking; D-PPP – Defensive Points Per Possession; D-PPP RK – Defensive Points Per Possession Ranking; PPP-DIFF – Points Per Possession Differential; PPP-DIFF RK – Points Per Possession Differential Ranking; Blue Shade – Eastern Conference playoff teams; Red Shade – Western Conference playoff teams.

 

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Team Effectiveness Rankings for the NBA, Pre All-Star Break

Monday, February 22nd, 2010

Last weekend’s NBA All-Star Game marked the unofficial mid-way point of the 2009-2010 regular season schedule.

Where exactly did your favourite team rank in the following categories?

NBA 2009-2010

PRE ALL-STAR BREAK

TEAM EFFECTIVENESS RANKINGS

[as of Thu Feb 11 2010]

TEAM

W-L REC

WIN %

PDR

PAR

RDR

QR

QIR

OFF

POSS/G

DEF

POSS/G

O-PPP

O-PPP

RK

D-PPP

D-

PPP

RK

PPP

DIFF

PPP

DIFF

RK

CAVALIERS 1

43-11

0.796

1

2

1

4

1

103

104

0.99

T-2

0.91

T-5

0.08

1

MAGIC 2

36-18

0.667

3

7

5

15

2

104

106

0.97

T-5

0.91

T-5

0.06

T-3

SPURS 5

30-21

0.588

6

8

3

17

3

105

104

0.96

T-7

0.92

T-8

0.04

T-7

LAKERS 1

41-13

0.759

2

9

7

18

T-4

109

108

0.95

T-12

0.89

T-1

0.06

T-3

THUNDER 6

30-21

0.588

9

5

4

18

T-4

107

107

0.92

T-18

0.89

T-1

0.03

T-9

BLAZERS 8

31-24

0.564

11

4

6

21

6

102

101

0.96

T-7

0.94

T-16

0.02

T-12

JAZZ 3

32-19

0.627

6

12

9

27

T-7

106

106

0.97

T-5

0.92

T-8

0.05

T-5

BOBCATS 6

26-25

0.510

13

2

12

27

T-7

105

104

0.91

T-22

0.91

T-5

0.00

T-15

CELTICS 4

32-18

0.640

5

1

23

29

9

103

105

0.96

T-7

0.89

T-1

0.07

2

HEAT 7

26-27

0.491

13

6

15

34

10

103

104

0.94

T-15

0.92

T-8

0.02

T-12

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HAWKS 3

33-18

0.647

8

11

20

39

11

105

105

0.96

T-7

0.93

T-12

0.03

T-9

GRIZZLIES

26-25

0.510

18

23

2

43

12

110

107

0.93

17

0.96

T-23

-0.03

T-22

NUGGETS 2

35-18

0.660

4

22

18

44

T-13

109

109

0.98

4

0.93

T-12

0.05

T-5

BULLS 8

25-26

0.490

22

14

8

44

T-13

109

108

0.88

T-27

0.90

4

-0.02

T-19

BUCKS

24-27

0.471

15

13

18

46

15

109

106

0.90

T-24

0.92

T-8

-0.02

T-19

MAVERICKS 4

32-20

0.615

12

15

20

47

T-16

105

107

0.96

T-7

0.93

T-12

0.03

T-9

PISTONS

18-33

0.353

27

10

10

47

T-16

105

100

0.87

29

0.96

T-23

-0.09

T-28

76ERS

20-32

0.385

20

16

13

49

18

106

106

0.92

T-18

0.95

T-19

-0.03

T-22

ROCKETS

27-24

0.529

16

18

16

50

19

110

107

0.92

T-18

0.94

T-16

-0.02

T-19

CLIPPERS

21-31

0.404

26

17

16

59

20

106

106

0.90

T-24

0.94

T-16

-0.04

T-25

KINGS

18-34

0.346

23

27

11

61

21

111

110

0.92

T-18

0.96

T-23

-0.04

T-25

SUNS 7

31-22

0.585

10

29

25

64

T-22

110

112

1.00

1

0.96

T-23

0.04

T-7

HORNETS

28-25

0.528

19

19

26

64

T-22

106

107

0.95

T-12

0.95

T-19

0.00

T-15

WIZARDS

17-33

0.340

25

21

20

66

24

107

107

0.91

T-22

0.95

T-19

-0.04

T-25

RAPTORS 5

29-23

0.558

17

26

24

67

25

106

108

0.99

T-2

0.97

T-29

0.02

T-12

T-WOLVES

13-40

0.245

29

28

14

71

26

112

110

0.88

T-27

0.97

T-29

-0.09

T-28

KNICKS

19-32

0.373

21

24

27

72

27

108

109

0.94

T-15

0.95

T-19

-0.01

T-17

NETS

04-48

0.077

30

20

29

79

28

105

105

0.86

30

0.96

T-23

-0.1

30

PACERS

18-34

0.346

28

25

28

81

29

110

111

0.90

T-24

0.93

T-12

-0.03

T-22

WARRIORS

13-40

0.245

24

30

30

84

30

113

116

0.95

T-12

0.96

T-23

-0.01

T-17

LEGEND: W-L REC – Won-Loss Record; WIN% - Winning Percentage; PDR – Points Differential Ranking; PAR – Points Allowed Ranking; RDR – Rebounding Differential Ranking; QR – Quality Rating [i.e. PDR + PAR + RDR]; QIR – Quality Index Ranking [i.e. No. 1-30]; O-POSS/G – Offensive Possessions/Game [i.e. Possessions = FGA’s + TO’s + FTA’s*.44]; D-POSS/G – Defensive Possessions/Game; O-PPP – Offensive Points Per Possession; O-PPP RK – Offensive Points Per Possession Ranking; D-PPP – Defensive Points Per Possession; D-PPP RK – Defensive Points Per Possession Ranking; PPP-DIFF – Points Per Possession Differential; PPP-DIFF RK – Points Per Possession Differential Ranking; Blue Shade – Eastern Conference playoff teams; Red Shade – Western Conference playoff teams.

Related:

What it takes to win the NBA Championship

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A somewhat competitive affair, late?

Thursday, February 11th, 2010

These are the highlights for last night’s RAPTORS vs 76ers game …

the Recap, Boxscore and Full Play-By-Play.

This is what was written about it earlier this morning by Kelly Dwyer, in his summary of last night’s action across the Association:

Behind the Box Score, where the Clippers don’t care

The Raptors allowed Philly’s D to turn this into a somewhat competitive affair late, but Chris Bosh’s 23 and 12 led Toronto to the win.

only proving, yet again, that …

“To err [really] is human; and, to forgive [really] is divine.”
- Alexander Pope

Please take a closer look at the following exerpts from the actual play-by-play:

PART ONE – Where the 76ers began the 4th down by only 13 points, after once trailing by 23

 

Philadelphia 76ers (20-31)

Toronto Raptors (28-23)

Start of 4th Quarter

Smith Turnaround Jump Shot: Made (4 PTS) 

11:43
[PHI 65-78]

 
       

 

PART TWO – Where the 76ers had cut the deficit to just 7 points with 6 minutes left to play

 

Green Jump Shot: Made (10 PTS) Assist: Williams (2 AST) 

05:51
[PHI 79-86]

 

 

PART THREE – Where the 76ers tied the game on consecutive driving layups with 2 min remaining

Williams Driving Layup Shot: Made (26 PTS) Assist: Brand (1 AST) 

02:25
[PHI 91-93]

 

 

02:12

Jack Driving Layup Shot: Missed Block: Brand (1 BLK) 

Iguodala Rebound (Off:0 Def:8) 

02:10

 

Young Running Layup Shot: Made (15 PTS) Assist: Iguodala (5 AST) 

02:06
[PHI 93-93]

 

 

PART FOUR – Where Jose Calderon made an exceptionally rare 4 POINT PLAY and Bargnani
then made a 3, to put TOR ahead by 3 possessions with only 41.9 ticks left; and, then, PHI miss-fired

on their 3 next possessions to seal their fate

 

 

01:42
[TOR 96-93]

Calderon 3pt Shot: Made (9 PTS) Assist: Wright (1 AST) 

Green Foul : Shooting (4 PF) 

01:42

 

 

01:42
[TOR 97-93]

Calderon Free Throw 1 of 1 (10 PTS) 

Team Timeout : Regular 

01:42

 

 

01:42

Calderon Substitution replaced by Weems 

Williams Fade Away Jumper Shot: Missed 

01:27

 

Team Rebound 

01:26

 

Jump Ball Bosh vs Brand (Young gains possession) 

01:25

 

Williams Turnover : Lost Ball (2 TO) Steal:Wright (1 ST) 

01:02

 

 

00:41.9
[TOR 100-93]

Bargnani 3pt Shot: Made (14 PTS) Assist: Jack (8 AST) 

Green 3pt Shot: Missed 

00:33.8

 

 

PART FIVE – Where Bargnani converted 2 FTA’s to seal the deal for TOR

 

Iguodala Foul : Personal (3 PF) 

00:32.7

 

 

00:32.7
[TOR 101-93]

Bargnani Free Throw 1 of 2 (15 PTS) 

 

00:32.7
[TOR 102-93]

Bargnani Free Throw 2 of 2 (16 PTS) 

Team Timeout : Short 

00:32.7

 

 

00:32.6

Bargnani Rebound (Off:1 Def:6) 

Iguodala 3pt Shot: Missed Block: Bargnani (2 BLK) 

00:24.9

 

 

00:23.3

Bosh Rebound (Off:3 Def:8) 

Williams Foul : Personal (2 PF) 

00:13.7

 

and, then, try to suggest … at least, with a straight face … that last night’s game SHOULD actually have been described as being just “a somewhat competitive affair late.”

———————————–

A quick review of the facts would seem to indicate otherwise, as …

* For the most part, this was a game of runs, which saw:

- the 1st quarter played almost evenly … until a late surge by the Raptors opened up a 6 point working margin [fuelled by the insertion of Jose Calderon/PG and Amir Johnson/PF, at the 2:27 mark; which produced 5 consecutive possessions where El Matador registered 4 straight assists plus 1 version of his now prototypical "stretch layup"], i.e. TOR 30, Phi 24 

- the 2nd quarter played almost evenly, i.e. TOR 20, Phi 17

- the first 9 minutes of the 3rd quarter dominated by the Raptors, i.e. TOR 26, Phi 12

- the last 3 minutes of the 3rd quarter dominated by the 76ers, i.e. TOR 2, Phi 10

- the first 10 minutes of the 4th quarter dominated by the 76ers, i.e. TOR 15, Phi 30

and, finally,

- the final 2 minutes of the 4th quarter dominated by the Raptors, again, i.e. TOR 11, Phi 0.

———————————————

In general, a NBA game tied with only 2 minutes left to play is not what yours truly would describe as being just a “somewhat competitive affair late.”

Sincere kudos to both …

I. The 76ers [in this game]:

* For battling back from a 23 point deficit, in the 3rd quarter, in a valiant effort to sustain their relatively modest 5-game winning streak, achieved while playing without Allen Iverson … rather than simply giving up, which is, unfortunately, exactly what happens far too frequently - usually on the road - in the NBA [i.e. Exhibit A, see the Clippers];

and,

II. The Raptors [in this game]:

* For opening up a 23 point lead during the 3rd quarter, in the first place, despite playing without the services of Hedo Turkoglu/SF;

* Weathering the subsequent Philly storm-back … i.e. in the latter stages of the 3rd quarter, when the 76ers finally righted their badly listing ship, and through the first 3/4’s of the final frame when they firmly “took it” to Toronto; and,

* Closing the deal, at crunch time.

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Raptors’ improved defense an illusion?

Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010

Since the new calendar year began, the Toronto Raptors have a 10-6/.625 W-L record and have moved into 5th place in the Eastern Conference Standings with an overall record of 26-23/.531.

In comparison with how the team began the season …

i.e. 7-13/.400, in Phase 1, through their first 20 games

… this recent stretch of improved winning has many of the team’s supporters excited about what might actually lie ahead in the 2nd half of the schedule and, possibly, in the post-season.

Closer inspection of the team’s performance in these 16 games, however, reveals that there is still a long way to go before the Raptors have any realistic hope of becoming a legitimate contender in the Eastern Conference.

———————————————-

LAST 16 GAMES

G

Date

Opponent

Boxscore

W/L

Record

A+Record

H+Record

01

Sat

Jan

02       

@ BOS

96-103

L

0-1

0-1

 

02

Sun

Jan

03

V Sas

91-86

W

1-1

 

1-0

03

Wed

Jan

06

@ ORL

108-103

W

2-1

1-1

 

04

Fri

Jan

08

@ PHI

108-106

W

3-1

 

 

05

Sun

Jan

10

V Bos

107-114

L

3-2

 

1-1

06

Mon

Jan

11

@ IND

101-105

L

3-3

 

 

07

Fri

Jan

15

@ NYK

112-104

W

4-3

 

 

08

Sun

Jan

17

V Dal

110-88

W

5-3

 

2-1

09

Tue

Jan

19

@ CLE

100-108

L

5-4

1-2

 

10

Wed

Jan

20

@ MIL

107-113

L

5-5

 

 

11

Fri

Jan

22

V Mil

101-96

W

6-5

 

 

12

Sun

Jan

24

V Lak

106-105

W

7-5

 

3-1

13

Wed

Jan

27

V Mia

111-103

W

8-5

 

 

14

Thu

Jan

28

@ NYK

106-104

W

9-5

 

 

15

Sun

Jan

31

V Ind

117-102

W

10-5

 

 

16

Tue

Feb

02

@ IND

115-130

L

10-6

 

 

PYTHAGOREAN WINS ESTIMATE FOR LAST 16 GAMES

Games * [[Points Scored14]/[[Points Scored14]+[Points Allowed14]]]                     

= Wins

16 * [[169614]/[[169614]+[167014]]]

= 8.8608

 

POINTS SCORED               

#

Team

Season 

Last 16

 Last 16

 Season
Rank

1

 Toronto

104.4 

106.0

1

2

 Atlanta

102.2 

 

 

3

 Cleveland

101.1 

 

 

4

 Orlando

100.8 

 

 

5

 New York

100.8 

 

 

6

 Indiana

99.3 

 

 

7

 Boston

99.1 

 

 

8

 Milwaukee

98.2 

 

 

9

 Washington

98.0 

 

 

10

 Philadelphia

97.2 

 

 

11

 Miami

96.8 

 

 

12

 Chicago

95.3 

 

 

13

 Charlotte

95.0 

 

 

14

 Detroit

91.6 

 

 

15

 New Jersey

89.8 

 

 

 

POINTS ALLOWED             

#

Team

Season 

Last 16

Last 16

Season

Rank

1

 Boston

93.7 

 

 

2

 Cleveland

93.8 

 

 

3

 Charlotte

93.9 

 

 

4

 Orlando

95.5 

 

 

5

 Miami

96.4 

 

 

6

 Detroit

96.7 

 

 

7

 Atlanta

97.5 

 

 

8

 Chicago

97.8 

 

 

9

 Milwaukee

98.5 

 

 

10

 Philadelphia

100.0 

 

 

11

 New Jersey

101.6 

 

 

12

 Washington

102.0 

 

 

13

 New York

103.3 

 

 

14

 Indiana

104.6 

 

 

15

 Toronto

105.3 

104.4

14

 

POINTS DIFFERENTIAL       

#

Team

Season 

Last 16

Last 16

Season
Rank

1

 Cleveland

+7.3 

 

 

2

 Boston

+5.4 

 

 

3

 Orlando

+5.3 

 

 

4

 Atlanta

+4.7 

 

 

5

 Charlotte

+1.1 

 

 

6

 Miami

+0.4 

 

 

7

 Milwaukee

-0.3 

 

 

8

 Toronto

-0.9 

+1.6

5

9

 Chicago

-2.5 

 

 

10

 New York

-2.5 

 

 

11

 Philadelphia

-2.8 

 

 

12

 Washington

-4.0 

 

 

13

 Detroit

-5.1 

 

 

14

 Indiana

-5.3 

 

 

15

 New Jersey

-11.8 

 

 

———————————-

What you should be able to see from looking at these tables is that:

* It’s been the Raptors’ offensive production which has actually improved during this stretch of 16 games, not their defensive performance, relative to the other 14 teams in the Eastern Conference

* Their W-L record during this specific stretch was, in all likelihood, effected “positively” by “fortunate circumstances” which occurred within particular games and resulted in 1-2 additional victories over and above the statistical norms consistent with overall “Points Production and Wins”, in the NBA

* Although the team is no longer playing defense in a way which can properly be described as ”historically abysmal” it is still a long way off from reaching a satisfactory level of performance in this fundamental aspect of the game. 

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Understanding how advantageous mismatches actually work in the NBA

Thursday, January 21st, 2010

Mismatches are not magic

Early in the Sixers loss to the visiting Blazers, Portland had an obvious mismatch. The 6-7 Martell Webster was being guarded by the smallest guy on the court, Allen Iverson, who is listed as 6-0 but was once described by then-teammate Aaron McKie as 5-10, which seems plausible.

Webster can shoot from the outside, and is strong and athletic enough to score in the paint. In theory, he could feast on a small defender.

The Blazers force-fed Webster again and again. The smaller Iverson battled. “Just trying to fight him early,” said Iverson after the game. “Trying to push him out as much as possible, and front him if I had to.” He also used some veteran tricks. Not once, but twice on an early play Iverson yelled and threw his body around, pretending Webster had fouled him.

The referees weren’t buying it.

Webster went to work.

He ran Iverson off screens, Reggie Miller-style. He posted up. He shot long jumpers. He fought into the paint.

And just about none of it worked. Webster missed a layup. He made a mid-range jumper. He missed a 3. He missed a tip-in. He missed a short jumper.

In one telling play, Webster posted Iverson, rushed a move into the helping Samuel Dalembert, and missed a tough shot over the longest arms on the court.

Another time, the Blazers fought to get Webster the ball in the corner and looked to create something off the dribble. But he didn’t have a lot of room to operate, and ended up having to escape to the top of the key. By the time he determined there were no easy shots for him, he swung the ball into a shot-clock violation.

After all that, Portland was down six, and had scored just five points in the game’s first five minutes. Webster missed one more shot, then Portland stopped going to Webster.

—————————–

The fact is …

Just because:

Martell Webster is 6 feet 7 inches, and weighs 235 lbs,

while,

Allen Iverson is 6 feet 0 inches, and weighs 165 lbs,

it does not mean Portland’s young buck has a skill-based advantage in an array of different areas within his individual game that supercedes those of Mr. Iverson’s.

According to the Full Play-By-Play and the details provided by Henry Abbott:

BEGIN - 1st Quarter, 12:00
No. 1, Webster missed a 2PT layup. [10:52]
No. 2, He made a 2PT jump shot. [09:09]
No. 3, He missed a 3PT jump shot. [08:42]
Rebound: Offensive [08:26]
No. 4, He missed a 2PT tip-in shot. [08:26]
No. 5, He missed a 2PT jump shot. [07:37]
Turnover: Shot Clock Violation [07:05]
Personal Foul vs Iguodala, shooting [06:52]
No. 6, He missed a 2PT jump shot. [06:35]
END - 1st Quarter, 04:56, Subbed Out

BEGIN - 3rd Quarter, 12:00
No. 7, He missed a 2PT jump shot, blocked shot by Iguodala. [11:37]
No. 8, He missed a 2PT jump shot. [10:09]
Rebound: Defensive [03:48]
No. 9, He missed a 2PT dunk shot, blocked shot by Dalembert. [02:56]
Personal Foul vs Iverson, shooting. [02:50]
END - 3rd Quarter, 02:31, Subbed Out

BEGIN - 4th Quarter, 00:41.1
END - 4th Quarter, 00:00

———————————–

QUESTION
Where, exactly, would you say Martell Webster has an individual match-up advantage over Allen Iverson?

… since, according to Nate McMillan’s own words:

“Martell is not normally on the block for us. We wanted to make Iverson work some, so they didn’t just rest him. We wanted to go into the post with our guards … we tried Martell a few times.

You don’t want to take yourself out of rhythm by going to a guy who’s not normally in that position. We went to it a couple times, but we felt like we were trying to force some things there and we went away from that, and went back to what we normally do.”

ANSWER

Part I

If you look at the NBA Hotspots Chart for Martell Webster, to-date, what you should be able to see is that he is actually shooting/scoring the ball relatively poorly from a host of different spots on the floor … including:

A. From an interior location:

#3. Middle Lane 2PT shots, 1-6/.167
#4. Right Low Block 2PT shots, 0-6/.000

B. From a mid-range location:

#6. Left Elbow 2PT jump shots, 2-8/.250
#7. Free Throw Line 2PT jump shots, 1-5/.200
#9. Right Wing 2PT jump shots, 3-12/.250

and,

C. From a perimeter location:

#13. Right Angled 3PT jump shots, 17-54/.315

with the exceptions being …

A. From an interior location:

#1. Layups/dunks/tip-in shots, 49-93/.527
#2. Left Low Block 2PT shots, 5-9/.556

and, predominantly, well AWAY from the basket area …

B. From a mid-range location:

#5. Left Wing 2PT jump shots, 10-23/.435
#8. Right Elbow 2PT jump shots, 6-13/.462

and,

C. From a perimeter location:

#10. Left Corner 3PT jump shots, 19-52/.365
#11. Left Angled 3PT jump shots, 14-37/.378
#12. Middle Top 3PT jump shots, 9-19/.474
#14. Right Corner 3PT jump shots, 18-42/.429

Part II

A mismatch advantage CAN ONLY OCCUR in a specific aspect of the game where:

* Player X is being checked by Player Y; and, 
* Player X has a skill-based advantage, compared to Player Y …

- because that particular skill is a regular part of what Player X brings to the table each and every time he plays the game against an opponent who is similar to Player Y

- within the specific context of how Player X’s team usually operates.

———————————–

Yes, indeed, the NBA game is about …

Effectively:

i] Creating individual match-up advantages;

ii] Exploiting individual match-up advantages; and,

iii] Minimizing individual mis-match disadvantages;

in order to create high percentage open shots:

A. Within the context of a specific game; and,

B. According to the specific strengths and weaknesses of the involved players …

but - first and foremost - it is absolutely crucial to actually know what exactly qualifies as a legitimate mis-match advantage when Team 1 plays against Team 2 and Player X is assigned to check Player Y.

As such, Martell Webster vs Allen Iverson does not qualify as a favourable mismatch advantage for the Blazers vs the 76ers, UNLESS MR. WEBSTER IS ACTUALLY BEING USED PROPERLY, by Nate McMillan, through a series of:

I. Post-ups in the Left Low Block position; and,

II. Weak side spot up opportunities when the ball is …

* Fed into the Low Post position and then kicked out

or,

* Driven into the interior of the defense and then kicked out

to Webster, specifically, for mid-range/perimeter jump shots over a much smaller defender, after several passes have already been made by his teammates.

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Posted in Analytics, Basketball, NBA | 2 Comments »

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