Comments on: Feasting on the Weak http://www.countthebasket.com/blog/2008/04/25/feasting-on-the-weak/ Advanced Stats for Basketball Sat, 31 Jul 2010 18:09:14 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5 By: Antonio http://www.countthebasket.com/blog/2008/04/25/feasting-on-the-weak/#comment-210 Antonio Thu, 01 May 2008 18:45:43 +0000 http://www.countthebasket.com/blog/?p=63#comment-210 One of the obvious affects on the second table is the higher than average numbers of stars and good offensive lineups. If, as you posit, the strongest defenders are paired with the strongest offensive players, then the numbers for the defenses will suffer. When Battier shadowed Kobe, everyone praised his fantastic defense, but Kobe went for 45,30, & 24 this season against Houston. If, as one would suspect, this happens to Battier not just on Kobe, but all season long against all SG & SF opponents, then his defensive stats will suffer at some point, and therefore the stats for the lineups that he is a part of. Intuitively, or from actually watching the games, we know that must be somewhat the case. Kobe always sees the best perimeter defender from opponents, and Duncan always sees the best post defenders, which would suggest that they must be seeing better overall defensive lineups, yet they don't show up in the list. I guess this is a convoluted way of saying that maybe the offensive ineptitude of those on the list helps the defenses look good statistically. One of the obvious affects on the second table is the higher than average numbers of stars and good offensive lineups. If, as you posit, the strongest defenders are paired with the strongest offensive players, then the numbers for the defenses will suffer. When Battier shadowed Kobe, everyone praised his fantastic defense, but Kobe went for 45,30, & 24 this season against Houston. If, as one would suspect, this happens to Battier not just on Kobe, but all season long against all SG & SF opponents, then his defensive stats will suffer at some point, and therefore the stats for the lineups that he is a part of.

Intuitively, or from actually watching the games, we know that must be somewhat the case. Kobe always sees the best perimeter defender from opponents, and Duncan always sees the best post defenders, which would suggest that they must be seeing better overall defensive lineups, yet they don’t show up in the list.

I guess this is a convoluted way of saying that maybe the offensive ineptitude of those on the list helps the defenses look good statistically.

]]> By: Eli http://www.countthebasket.com/blog/2008/04/25/feasting-on-the-weak/#comment-202 Eli Fri, 25 Apr 2008 20:08:21 +0000 http://www.countthebasket.com/blog/?p=63#comment-202 Thanks for catching that. I'll fix it. Thanks for catching that. I’ll fix it.

]]> By: Mountain http://www.countthebasket.com/blog/2008/04/25/feasting-on-the-weak/#comment-201 Mountain Fri, 25 Apr 2008 19:59:11 +0000 http://www.countthebasket.com/blog/?p=63#comment-201 The tables are correctly labelled but I assume in the text of the second you meant ... no matter what, some players have to face harder / better defensive lineups (with lower defensive ratings)? The tables are correctly labelled but I assume in the text of the second you meant

… no matter what, some players have to face

harder / better defensive lineups (with lower defensive ratings)?

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