The Bank Shot - scientific analysis

[fonzy16]

What science has to say about the bank shot

" Optimal Targets for the Bank Shot in Men’s Basketball
Abstract

The purpose of this study was to gain an understanding of the bank shot and ultimately determine the optimal target points on the backboard for the bank shot in men’s basketball. The study used over one million three-dimensional simulations of basketball trajectories. Four launch variables were studied: launch height, launch speed, launch angle, and aim angle. The shooter’s statistical characteristics were prescribed to yield a 70 percent free throw when launching the ball seven feet above the ground with 3 Hz of back spin. We found that the shooter can select a bank shot over a direct shot with as much as a 20 percent advantage. The distribution over the court of preferences of the bank shot over the direct shot was determined. It was also shown that there is an aim line on the backboard independent of the shooter’s location on the court. We also found that at 3.326 inches behind the backboard, there exists a vertical axis that aids in finding the optimal target point on the backboard. The optimal target point is the crossing of the vertical axis and the aim line that is in the shooter’s line of sight."

http://www.physorg.com/news/2011-03-...backboard.html

here is also pdf version

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What science has to say about the bank shot

" Optimal Targets for the Bank Shot in Men’s Basketball
Abstract

The purpose of this study was to gain an understanding of the bank shot and ultimately determine the optimal target points on the backboard for the bank shot in men’s basketball. The study used over one million three-dimensional simulations of basketball trajectories. Four launch variables were studied: launch height, launch speed, launch angle, and aim angle. The shooter’s statistical characteristics were prescribed to yield a 70 percent free throw when launching the ball seven feet above the ground with 3 Hz of back spin. We found that the shooter can select a bank shot over a direct shot with as much as a 20 percent advantage. The distribution over the court of preferences of the bank shot over the direct shot was determined. It was also shown that there is an aim line on the backboard independent of the shooter’s location on the court. We also found that at 3.326 inches behind the backboard, there exists a vertical axis that aids in finding the optimal target point on the backboard. The optimal target point is the crossing of the vertical axis and the aim line that is in the shooter’s line of sight."

http://www.physorg.com/news/2011-03-...backboard.html

here is also pdf version

I agree that Parker should be traded at the end of this season while he still has some value.

[Juggity]

Pretty sure somebody made a thread 2 or 3 days ago about this study. It was led "Wake forest athletes are smarter than NC State engineers" or something along those lines.

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Pretty sure somebody made a thread 2 or 3 days ago about this study. It was led "Wake forest athletes are smarter than NC State engineers" or something along those lines.

Well, I've said it a million times. I really don't care if RJ is gay or not. It's fun to talk about but at the end of the day, as long as it doesn't take away from his bball game, I don't care where he sticks his Twix.

I think it was just a matter of him becoming more comfortable with the Spurs system. He's been pretty effective most of the season. Certainly not the liability he was last year.

[wildbill2u]

What science has to say about the bank shot

" Optimal Targets for the Bank Shot in Men’s Basketball
Abstract

The purpose of this study was to gain an understanding of the bank shot and ultimately determine the optimal target points on the backboard for the bank shot in men’s basketball. The study used over one million three-dimensional simulations of basketball trajectories. Four launch variables were studied: launch height, launch speed, launch angle, and aim angle. The shooter’s statistical characteristics were prescribed to yield a 70 percent free throw when launching the ball seven feet above the ground with 3 Hz of back spin. We found that the shooter can select a bank shot over a direct shot with as much as a 20 percent advantage. The distribution over the court of preferences of the bank shot over the direct shot was determined. It was also shown that there is an aim line on the backboard independent of the shooter’s location on the court. We also found that at 3.326 inches behind the backboard, there exists a vertical axis that aids in finding the optimal target point on the backboard. The optimal target point is the crossing of the vertical axis and the aim line that is in the shooter’s line of sight."

http://www.physorg.com/news/2011-03-...backboard.html

here is also pdf version

I went through all the rigamarole to get access to this academic paper and read the whole 19 pages. Here is what I learned:

The North Carolina State physicists could have saved themselves a lot of trouble by contacting Tim for shots 6-18 ft from the basket and Tony for shots closer to the basket, especially those from right under the basket.

It was sort of interesting to see a color coded arc around the basket that showed that Tim's preferred area for the bank shot has about an 80% probability (in a perfect world of physics) compated to a 60% probability for a direct shot at the hoop from the same distance.

[fonzy16]

I went through all the rigamarole to get access to this academic paper and read the whole 19 pages. Here is what I learned:

The North Carolina State physicists could have saved themselves a lot of trouble by contacting Tim for shots 6-18 ft from the basket and Tony for shots closer to the basket, especially those from right under the basket.

It was sort of interesting to see a color coded arc around the basket that showed that Tim's preferred area for the bank shot has about an 80% probability (in a perfect world of physics) compated to a 60% probability for a direct shot at the hoop from the same distance.

. this study is a scientific proof that TD is the best player ever

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Reading a new post in this thread is like watching Matt Bonner shoot a three in a playoff game.

[Dex]

The answer is obvious....Tim Duncan is a freakin' genius!

[fonzy16]

Reading a new post in this thread is like watching Matt Bonner shoot a three in a playoff game.

How about this one?

[phxspurfan]

Pretty sure somebody made a thread 2 or 3 days ago about this study. It was led "Wake forest athletes are smarter than NC State engineers" or something along those lines.

love the sig.

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How about this one?

Yes. But not as much as the one earlier. Now if someone were to respond with "Neal with it"...