R.C. Buford at 2013 MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference

[td_tp_manu]

http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2013/s...2013-0304.html

Buford suggested that San Antonio’s investment in analytics fell somewhere short of having a platoon of mathematics PhDs locked in a room doing research, but involved study of whether the numbers backed the intuitions of head coach Gregg Popovich, such as the idea that three-point shots taken from the corner of the court are desirable. (Indeed, statistics show they are the highest-efficiency shot in basketball.)

“[Popovich] got interested when the data supported him,” said Buford, who also made clear that the Spurs have used analytics to try to upgrade their defense this season.

I'm curious what they've found in the team's defense. It was effective. Not taking away individual efforts from the players of course.

[Southwest Texas Fan]

Just a smart team.

[spurraider21]

http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2013/s...2013-0304.html



I'm curious what they've found in the team's defense. It was effective. Not taking away individual efforts from the players of course.

They probably found that starting a 6'5 center wasn't efficient on the defensive end

[freetiago]

The big change this season is running guys off the line instead of contesting the shots
they still surrender mid range shots which is thought to be the least efficient
by flying at the 3 point shooters it forces them to do a 1 dribble/2 dribble pullup or go into Duncan at the rim
a lot of NBA players are actually pretty bad at making the 1 dribble pullup
Spurs went from somewhere in the bottom 10 in defending the 3 point line last season i believe to the top 5 this season

i believe they also became more liberal with using fouls to but its not as evident in games
a reason why they called Sloan in during the offseason

[rjv]

do you really need a quan ave analysis of the corner shot to tell you it is the easiest shot in basketball ? couldn't the fact that bruce bowen was so proficient at have been proof enough ?

[freetiago]

Corner 3 isnt the easiet shot in basketball
its still 20+ feet away from the rim and not being able to see the backboard can mess up a lot of guys when shooting the ball
its one of the easiest shots to create since help has to come from somewhere and that somewhere is the guy who is playing defense in the corner

[rjv]

Corner 3 isnt the easiet shot in basketball
its still 20+ feet away from the rim and not being able to see the backboard can mess up a lot of guys when shooting the ball
its one of the easiest shots to create since help has to come from somewhere and that somewhere is the guy who is playing defense in the corner

Definition of SARCASM

a: a mode of satirical wit depending for its effect on bitter, caustic, and often ironic language that is usually directed against an individual

but yes, any 3 point shot is not the easiest shot to make...

[Seventyniner]

Corner 3 isnt the easiet shot in basketball
its still 20+ feet away from the rim and not being able to see the backboard can mess up a lot of guys when shooting the ball
its one of the easiest shots to create since help has to come from somewhere and that somewhere is the guy who is playing defense in the corner

The article didn't call it the easiest shot, but the one with the highest efficiency. Hitting 44% of corner threes is the same as hitting 66% of two-pointers, which would be phenomenal.

A wide-open layup or dunk is better, of course (80-90% perhaps), but those are harder to come by.

[pgardn]

Definition of SARCASM

a: a mode of satirical wit depending for its effect on bitter, caustic, and often ironic language that is usually directed against an individual

but yes, any 3 point shot is not the easiest shot to make...

Pointers on how to write good sarcasm... Any good site?

[rjv]

Pointers on how to write good sarcasm... Any good site?

www.pgardn.com