Data is influencing the NBA, resulting in slow but noticeable changes to playing style, the never-ending hunt for value and various other aspects related to how the league operates.
How do we know this? Empirical evidence. Teams are playing faster, attempting more three-pointers (especially in the corner, but also above the break) and recognizing how important the word “efficient” really is.
The Boston Celtics have the league’s third-worst offense. That shouldn’t surprise anyone who scans their roster for 15 seconds. But what’s peculiar is how the Celtics—one of the most analytically savvy organizations in the league—operate.
Head coach Brad Stevens doesn’t base all his decisions on numbers, but he has an open mind and uses it to absorb all sorts of useful information.
But instead of riding the league’s analytical wave, Stevens has mostly opted to maximize his player’s skill sets. There have been a few experiments here and there (Jared Sullinger’s dangerous affair with the three-point line being the loudest example), but for the most ...
Read Full Article at Bleacher Report - NBA
Article written by Michael Pina
Are Boston Celtics Bucking NBA’s New Offensive Trends?
March 22nd, 2014 by Michael Pina Leave a reply »
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