August | 2009 | Wages of Wins Journal

Browsing All Posts published on »August, 2009«

The Memphis Lions Try and Roar

August 31, 2009 by dberri

The Memphis Grizzlies, as I have told Chip Crain of 3 Shades of Blue, are the Detroit Lions of the NBA. Like the NFL team I follow, the Grizzlies have an owner that tells the fans that winning is important. At the same time, though, this same owner takes actions (or inactions) that contradict the […]

Are the Wizards one of the ten best teams in the NBA?

August 27, 2009 by dberri

Although the summer is not quite over, Chris Mannix of CNNSI.com has decided to rank the teams in the NBA right now. And coming in at the #8 spot is…. the Washington Wizards? Last season the Wizards won 19 games and finished with a -7.9 efficiency differential (offensive efficiency minus defensive efficiency). This differential ranked […]

The Squid that Saved Don Nelson

August 24, 2009 by dberri

If the Warriors can repeat their 2008-09 record this next season (and I think they could do much better), Don Nelson will become the career leader in regular season wins for a coach. And if that happens, Nelson will probably be elected to the Hall of Fame. Such an achievement suggests Nelson is an amazing […]

Michael Ray Richardson and Kobe

August 21, 2009 by dberri

In response to the last post, reader Matt Dalton asked for more information on Michael Ray Richardson. Here are Richardson’s career numbers (WP48 = Wins Produced per 48 minutes). 1978-79: 2.0 Wins Produced, 0.078 WP48 1979-80: 21.4 Wins Produced, 0.336 WP48 1980-81: 19.7 Wins Produced, 0.298 WP48 1981-82: 14.0 Wins Produced, 0.221 WP48 1982-83: 6.5 […]

A Very Short Post on the Magic-Bird Era

August 20, 2009 by dberri

Magic Johnson celebrated his 50th birthday this month. It is generally believed that when Magic and Larry Bird entered the league in 1979, the NBA entered a new era. This led me to wonder… Who led the league in Wins Produced before Magic and Bird arrived? and… Who led the league in Wins Produced after […]

Looking with Envy at Baseball Stats?

August 19, 2009 by dberri

People who study statistics in basketball often look with envy at the numbers in baseball. A hitter in baseball stands at the plate by himself. Consequently, the numbers he generates is primarily about the actions he takes. In contrast, basketball players run with four other players. The interaction between those players appears to diminish the […]

Critiquing the Plan in Atlanta

August 16, 2009 by dberri

Back in 2004-05, the Atlanta Hawks won 13 games with a -10.2 efficiency differential (offensive efficiency minus defensive efficiency). Looking at the ten players who led this team in minutes played, we can see why Atlanta failed so miserably (WP48 = Wins Produced per 48 minutes). Al Harrington: 2,550 min., -0.1 Wins Produced, -0.003 WP48 […]

Does Houston Really Have that Big of a Problem?

August 13, 2009 by dberri

The teams considered playoff contenders in the Western Conference include Portland, the LA Lakers, San Antonio, Dallas, Denver, New Orleans, Utah, and maybe Phoenix (and maybe Golden State). With the exception of Phoenix (and Golden State), all these teams made the playoffs in 2009. Only one Western Conference playoff team – the Houston Rockets – […]

What if Don Nelson Embraced Tradition?

August 11, 2009 by dberri

The Golden State Warriors traded Jason Richardson to the Charlotte Bobcats during the 2007 draft. In return, the Warriors received the rights to power forward – and lottery pick – Brandon Wright. In 2008 the Warriors “earned” their own lottery pick, and selected Anthony Randolph, yet another player who plays power forward. Given two lottery […]

Brian Burke on Fantasy Football

August 11, 2009 by dberri

A few months ago, Brian Burke – of Advanced NFL Stats – wrote a guest column for the Wages of Wins Journal. The following was not written for The Wages of Wins Journal. And it isn’t even a complete column (you can read the complete column at Brian’s website). Nevertheless, I imagine many people who […]

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