Archive for July, 2008
Advanced Stats 101: Player Shooting
In this space last week, we explored some basics regarding APBRmetrics and their application when considering team shooting. Let us now consider the same three metrics used to evaluate team performances and examine how they pertain to individual shooters.
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Canadian Rally Keeps Olympic Hopes Alive
With the final 34 seconds of their Olympic hopes quickly evaporating off the Athens, Greece shot clock, Jermaine Anderson took his team, his country and the fate of his facial hair upon himself.
The Long Wait For Thomas Finally Ends
During a routine physical prior to the 2007-2008 season, doctors found a leak in Etan Thomas’ aortic valve and it required immediate surgery. At the time, it was unknown when Thomas would be able to resume physical activity again, let alone rejoin his fellow Wizards. This past weekend, a healthy Thomas returned to practice determined to resume his role as an intimidating presence in the middle.
Mental Mistakes Doom Canada
Canada’s Senior Men opened the FIBA Olympic Qualifier with a humbling loss, succumbing 86-70 to Slovenia.
Notes From Wizards Mini-Camp: Day 1
In preparation for their participation in the 2008 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, the Washington Wizards conducted the first of the their two day mini camp at the Verizon Center in Washington DC. Among those participating in the camp were center Etan Thomas, this year’s first round draft pick, forward/center JaVale McGee, and Utah Jazz free agent Dee Brown, who was recently signed to an offer sheet.
Introduction to Advanced Stats 101
Though concrete measures and objective statistical analysis has been a part of the professional game since its inception, most of us will go more on feel and intuition than hard data to win an argument or state our viewpoint. This underscores two truths about the way basketball fans rate and debate players’ abilities and skills: fans are always partial and standard statistical measures are inadequate.
O’Neal Looks For A Rebirth In Toronto
Time will tell if Toronto is a legit championship contender next season, but for now Jermaine O’Neal is content knowing he has a fresh start and a chance for a rebirth of his NBA career.
Exclusive Interview With Matt Devlin
Earlier this week the Toronto Raptors announced that Matt Devlin would be taking over for the legendary Chuck Swirsky next season and I had the pleasure of chatting with him on Wednesday afternoon.
Devlin picked a perfect time to start his new job because his first day as the voice of the Raptors coincided with [...]
Hey! Whatever Happened To Anthony Mason?
What Anthony Mason lacked in size he made up for in pure, unadulterated grit and an off-court personality ahead of its time. Just five years into retirement and seven years removed from his first and only All-Star appearance, the man they called Mase is already being unfairly overlooked.
Gilbert Arenas: Version 2.0
When Arenas steps on the floor this fall for the Washington Wizards, he will have come full circle. No longer will he be the underdog who has to use the motivation of his naysayers to thrive and succeed. Instead, he will be stepping on the court as a team leader, an adidas spokesman, the owner of a new contract, and with significant expectations to boot.