Larry Sanders is the best, according to science

[jonathanlambert33]

The Sloan Sports Analytic conference starts at the end of this week, but the research papers the conference is centered around have already been released. The Dwight Effect: A New Ensemble of Interior Defense Analytics for the NBA, by Grantland’s Kirk Goldsberry and Eric Weiss, examines interior defense and prominently features Larry Sanders.

The report analyzes two different ways interior big men can make an impact on the defensive end: lowering the shooting efficiency of opponents and lowering the shooting frequency of opponents close to the basket. The importance of reducing shooting percentages is obvious. Reducing shooting frequency close to the basket is important because that means teams are taking worse shots (mid-range jumpers and three-pointers).

http://www.bucksketball.com/2013/02/larry-sanders-is-the-best-according-to-science-2/

 

[BwareDWare94]

There's no denying that his breakout has been impressive, but this is the trouble with statistics--they often fool you into not watching each player play and use the eye test to determine who's better.

 

[buzzy]

but it's science.

 

[BwareDWare94]

but it's science.

I'm going to assume that's sarcastic, but just in case: statistics is a science lol. It's observable and quantifiable.

 

[elcheato]

The "eye test" doesn't mean jack when everyone always has pre concieved notions about players.

 

[jonathanlambert33]

There's no denying that his breakout has been impressive, but this is the trouble with statistics--they often fool you into not watching each player play and use the eye test to determine who's better.

Wouldn't you have to think though that these stats are generated off the eye test?

I mean Sanders ranks near the top in almost every category. Overall, iso, p&r, post, etc.

 

[BwareDWare94]

Wouldn't you have to think though that these stats are generated off the eye test?

I mean Sanders ranks near the top in almost every category. Overall, iso, p&r, post, etc.

Hmm. I guess this is essentially just defensive statistics, right? I got caught up in the term "best" and was thinking "overall player."

 

[footballplaya52]

Hmm. I guess this is essentially just defensive statistics, right? I got caught up in the term "best" and was thinking "overall player."

i do believe its just interior defense.