Tuesday, February 24, 2009, by Isaac Merwin
The Power of Intangibles, aka Shane Batier
Shane Batier
Michael Lewis published an article in the New York Times (February 13th, 2009) in which he wrote extensively (8 web pages) about the new trend in basketball statistical analysis: the power of intangibles. The article is focused on Shane Batier, the player who personifies the intangibles in basketball: his stats don’t show up on the box score, but he makes his team better and the opponent worse, often much worse…
Every story has a counter story. In his article Lies, Damned Lies, and Obama, an unnamed author analyzes the text, breaks it down to pieces, and concludes that it makes no sense at all. Whether you agree or not, this piece is well-written and worth your attention.
Monday, February 23, 2009, by Isaac Merwin
Is the Future of the NBA in Jeopardy?
It may be, according to David Falk, one of the league’s most influential agents. This time, in the New York Times article, he warns against the players greed and proposes radical measures:
- Eliminate salary cap for the superstars
- Abolish the midlevel exception which enables role players to sign $30 million contracts
- Raise the age limit to 20 or 21
He also believes there will be a standoff in 2011, when the collective bargaining agreement expires, and says:
“I think it’s going to be very, very extreme,” Falk said, “because I think that the times are extreme.”
How extreme? Falk said he believed Stern, the commissioner, would push for a hard salary cap, shorter contracts, a higher age limit on incoming players, elimination of the midlevel cap exception and an overall reduction in the players’ percentage of revenue. And, Falk said, Stern will probably get what he wants.
“The owners have the economic wherewithal to shut the thing down for two years, whatever it takes, to get a system that will work long term,” he said in an extensive interview to discuss his new book. “The players do not have the economic wherewithal to sit out one year.”
Read the whole article here…
Friday, February 13, 2009, by Isaac Merwin
180 Shooter
n. a player whose combined free throw percentage, 2-point field goal percentage and 3-point field goal percentage equals 180%.
In 2007-08, only five NBA players shot 180%: Steve Nash, Jose Calderon, Kyle Korver, Jason Kapono and Peja Stojakovic.
Friday, February 6, 2009, by Isaac Merwin
Kobe vs. LeBron in Madison Square Garden
Kobe’s 61 on February 2nd, 2009 at the Madison Square Garden in the Lakers win over the Knicks 126-117.
LeBron’s 52 and a triple-double on February 4th, 2009 at the Madison Square Garden in the Cavs win over the Knicks 107-102
Some comparisons between two classic performances:
Monday, February 2, 2009, by Isaac Merwin
Tim Duncan
Timothy “Tim” Theodore Duncan (born April 25, 1976 in Christiansted, St. Croix, United States Virgin Islands) is a Virgin Islander American professional basketball player for the San Antonio Spurs of the National Basketball Association (NBA). The 6′11″ (2.11 m), 260-pound (118 kg) power forward/center is a four-time NBA champion, a three-time NBA Finals Most Valuable Player, and the current captain of the Spurs. He has also won the NBA Most Valuable Player Award twice, and has been voted into 11 NBA All-Star games, 11 All-NBA teams, and 11 All-Defensive teams.
Duncan started out as a swimmer and only began playing basketball in ninth grade, and had difficulties adapting. However, he soon became a standout for St. Dunstan’s Episcopal High School, and had an illustrious college career with the Wake Forest University Demon Deacons, winning the Naismith College Player of the Year, USBWA College Player of the Year and John Wooden awards in his final year. Duncan graduated from college before entering the 1997 NBA Draft as the number one pick, and his list of accomplishments and leadership in the Spurs’ NBA title runs in 1999, 2003, 2005, and 2007 have led basketball experts to consider him to be one of the greatest power forwards in NBA history.
Off the court, Duncan is known for his quiet and unassuming ways, as well as his active philanthropy. He holds an honors degree in psychology and created the Tim Duncan Foundation to raise general health awareness and fund education and youth sports in various parts of the United States. Read more ->
