WSJ: The Golden State Warriors Have Revolutionized Basketball
Finally. A business case along with data science that digs deeper into the rise and success of the Golden State Warriors. I love numbers, statistics, data analytics, and most importantly, how these come together and translate to operational efficiency.
Using data sciences to improve results is nothing new in sports. For years we have seen success stories similar to this in baseball (like Moneyball), swimming, track and field, American football, soccer etc. These information can help athletes to past the finish line just millisecond faster, or securing that one important field goal for the team in the last second. While they seem like big projects and hefty investment for minuscule effects, these small effects can potentially change the outcome of the game, which are crucial in sports. Data science revolutionizes the game and playing field permanently and raises the bar for everyone.
Some might say that this is an unfair advantage, because the use of advanced data analytic is more available to teams that are more financially sounded and countries that are more resourceful. However, I would see this as a fair game. As human beings we need to constantly strive for improvement and stay competitive, can't keep doing the same things over and over hoping for a different result (That would be the definition of "Insanity" according to Einstein). I see data science merely an alternative way to lead to success and victory. After all, it is still up to individuals to take a risk and change their current behavior, sometimes for a very long time and many failures along the way, before they could see improvements and results.
Showing posts with label Basketball. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Basketball. Show all posts
Thursday, April 14, 2016
Friday, April 8, 2016
Steph Curry - One of the Best Players of All Time
Yes I mean it...one of the best of ALL TIME.
Is it an exaggeration? Hardly.
I am not a Warriors bandwagon band (a sudden fan when the team starts to do well...like increasing number of Bulls fan during the 90s), and my team is still the disappointing Knicks, but Stephen Curry is the player whom I truly admire.
We all love an underdog story. Yup, Curry is kind of one. He had a 'petite' physique in high school in comparison to other varsity players; did not get scholarship from his NBA father's alma meter; did not attend a top NCAA basketball college (yet led the school to the Elite Eight). Despite all of these, he was good enough to be an NBA draftee. But almost no one (especially scouts) would expect that he would improve so much over his career years to become one of the best players we see today (and in history).
For more about Curry, read more at How Stephen Curry Became the NBA’s Best Player
Curry's 3-point percentage is just much higher other NBA players, and this figure is inclusive of all the 3-pointers he made way outside of the 3-point line. Even for 24+ft 3-pointers with an opponent guarding him closely or with seconds left on the clock, his success rate is still as good as or even higher than other players shooting right at the 3-pt line without the pressure from opponents or the clock.
Distance between a player vs guarding opponent and success rate is often correlated, where the closer the guard, the lower the success rate is; the same is true for 'seconds remaining on the clock and success rate. But by including Curry onto the data, he would distort the correlation coefficients. Milliseconds to the buzzer and defense mean little to him as they simply cannot stop him. And this is Curry's deadly weapon,
For more statistics on Curry, read more at Stephen Curry Is The Revolution
I'm a quasi-number geek and believe that the numbers don't lie (even though they can be misinterpreted), but the steady improvement of Curry's statistics is a strong support that he deserves all the attentions and recognition over the years; he will continue to improve and is here to stay for a long time.
Watch below for Curry's 3 pointers compilation:
I really enjoy the snippets of his great deep (ultra long, even as far as half court) 3 pointers. He made them so effortlessly from anywhere and showed a devil-may-care attitude toward the distance of those 3-point ranges. This isn't only about knowing where he is, having a good sense of the distance, and adjusting his aim accordingly. His great improvement and success story would require a combination of many driving factors. It would actually be best explained by the concepts in the book Outliers by Malcom Gladwell - where his physical attributes, passions, and most importantly, the hours of practice that made him an NBA sensation and an unexpected outlier. Each 3-pointer success is a result of the hours he has put into practicing (think of practicing 3 pointers from every angle plus distance to the rim), and practicing with goals, disciplines and tenacity. His effort pays great dividends at the court. To me, he is truly an inspiration, and a good reminder for us, even though we might not be basketball players, that success is rarely achieved by accident or luck.
Bonus: Half court shots
Is it an exaggeration? Hardly.
I am not a Warriors bandwagon band (a sudden fan when the team starts to do well...like increasing number of Bulls fan during the 90s), and my team is still the disappointing Knicks, but Stephen Curry is the player whom I truly admire.
We all love an underdog story. Yup, Curry is kind of one. He had a 'petite' physique in high school in comparison to other varsity players; did not get scholarship from his NBA father's alma meter; did not attend a top NCAA basketball college (yet led the school to the Elite Eight). Despite all of these, he was good enough to be an NBA draftee. But almost no one (especially scouts) would expect that he would improve so much over his career years to become one of the best players we see today (and in history).
For more about Curry, read more at How Stephen Curry Became the NBA’s Best Player
Curry's 3-point percentage is just much higher other NBA players, and this figure is inclusive of all the 3-pointers he made way outside of the 3-point line. Even for 24+ft 3-pointers with an opponent guarding him closely or with seconds left on the clock, his success rate is still as good as or even higher than other players shooting right at the 3-pt line without the pressure from opponents or the clock.
Distance between a player vs guarding opponent and success rate is often correlated, where the closer the guard, the lower the success rate is; the same is true for 'seconds remaining on the clock and success rate. But by including Curry onto the data, he would distort the correlation coefficients. Milliseconds to the buzzer and defense mean little to him as they simply cannot stop him. And this is Curry's deadly weapon,
For more statistics on Curry, read more at Stephen Curry Is The Revolution
I'm a quasi-number geek and believe that the numbers don't lie (even though they can be misinterpreted), but the steady improvement of Curry's statistics is a strong support that he deserves all the attentions and recognition over the years; he will continue to improve and is here to stay for a long time.
Watch below for Curry's 3 pointers compilation:
I really enjoy the snippets of his great deep (ultra long, even as far as half court) 3 pointers. He made them so effortlessly from anywhere and showed a devil-may-care attitude toward the distance of those 3-point ranges. This isn't only about knowing where he is, having a good sense of the distance, and adjusting his aim accordingly. His great improvement and success story would require a combination of many driving factors. It would actually be best explained by the concepts in the book Outliers by Malcom Gladwell - where his physical attributes, passions, and most importantly, the hours of practice that made him an NBA sensation and an unexpected outlier. Each 3-pointer success is a result of the hours he has put into practicing (think of practicing 3 pointers from every angle plus distance to the rim), and practicing with goals, disciplines and tenacity. His effort pays great dividends at the court. To me, he is truly an inspiration, and a good reminder for us, even though we might not be basketball players, that success is rarely achieved by accident or luck.
Bonus: Half court shots
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