The Power of Intangibles, aka 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.

Chris Paul Piling Up Amazing Stats

Chris Paul: Ruining Stats for Point Guards Everywhere, robd, NBAMate.com – Probably Australia’s Best NBA Blog

Chris Paul already ruined my favourite and most-proclaimed statistic last season – the last player to average 20 points and 10 assists through a season.

But it doesn’t end there. For a long time the benchmark for little people in the NBA has been Isiah Thomas. Throughout the eighties Isiah put up some pretty crazy numbers. The peak of his offensive prowess coincided with the peak of his passing prowess, resulting in four-straight 20-10 seasons, two of which included 4+ rebounds and 2+ steals.

After averaging 21.1 points, 11.6 assists, 4.0 rebounds and 2.7 steals last season Chris Paul put himself into that most elite of categories. And then he thought he’d go one better. Currently averaging 21.2 points, 11.0 assists, 5.4 rebounds and 2.7 steals, Chris Paul’s stats are now so ridiculous that John Hollinger’s computer explodes every time he tries to calculate his PER.

And then we come to even more rarified territory – the 25-15-10-7 game. Before today, no one had registered 25 points, 15 assists, 10 rebounds and 7 steals in a game in the last 22 years. To use a HP phrase, it’s serious nova territory – supernova territory.

Paul has triple-double, Stojakovic hits six 3-pointers in Hornets’ victory, Associated Press, ESPN

Paul had 27 points, 15 assists, 10 rebounds and seven steals for his league-leading fifth triple-double of the season, and the New Orleans Hornets defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 101-86 on Monday night.

It was the second time this season Paul came within a few steals of a quadruple double, but when asked about that, he could only critique the few times he mishandled the ball or unloaded an errant pass.