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Taking aim at the lies and damned lies in sports with stories written by the numbers.
Browsing All Posts published on »October, 2009«
The Best Clipper Team Ever?
The Buffalo Braves came into existence in 1970. After eight seasons the franchise moved to San Diego and was renamed the Clippers. After six seasons in San Diego the Clippers moved again, this time to Los Angeles. In each location this franchise has been immensely consistent. Year after year NBA fans can count on this […]
Once Upon a Time in Phoenix
Once upon a time, the Phoenix Suns were the best team in the Western Conference. The phrase “once upon a time” often refers to a time period in the distance past. But in this instance, “once upon a time” actually refers to 20 months ago (as noted in a table posted in February of 2008). […]
Will the Kings be Crowned the Worst Team in 2009-10?
Who was the worst team in 2008-09? If we think about wins and losses, the obvious answer is the Sacramento Kings. Last season the Kings only won 17 games. Sacramento’s efficiency differential (offensive efficiency minus defensive efficiency), though, was actually better than the LA Clippers. The Clippers posted a -9.2 differential last season (the 27th […]
The Differing Stories on Durant – and a Brief Thunder Review
Last week Henry Abbott – of TrueHoop – noted the conflicting stories told about Kevin Durant. Durant was voted Rookie of the Year by the media and to the All-Rookie First Team by the coaches. John Hollinger’s Player Efficiency Rating – which Abbott argued was “the most respected single number to express a player’s total […]
Is This the Beginning of the Tragedy of Chris Paul?
One of the very first columns posted in this forum was “The Tragedy of Kevin Garnett.” For years KG was the most productive player in the NBA. And for years, the Minnesota Timberwolves surrounded KG with relatively poor players. Consequently, Garnett could never experience the playoff success enjoyed by players like Kobe Bryant; a fact […]
Dallas is Now Better than the 2005-06 Mavericks?
Mark Cuban – owner of the Dallas Mavericks – claims that the 2009-10 Mavericks are better than the 2005-06 team that managed to reach the NBA Finals. Are they really this good? And are they better than the 2006-07 team that a. lead the NBA in victories, and b. fail to exit the first round […]
The Contending Spurs Fail to Miss Blair
The San Antonio Spurs won the NBA title in 2003, 2005, and 2007. Given this pattern, many expected the Spurs to contend in 2009. Instead, the team suffered its worst season since 1996-97, or the year before Tim Duncan came to San Antonio. Reviewing the Spurs Last season the Spurs scored 1.06 points per possession, […]
What About Orlando?
When we think about favorites for the 2010 NBA title our thoughts often turn to the LA Lakers, Boston Celtics, and the team I think is the favorite, the Cleveland Cavaliers. But there is one other – somewhat forgotten – contender. Orlando was Good and Now is Better The Orlando Magic eliminated both the Celtics […]
The Prize for Winning the TrueHoop Smackdown
A few months ago I won the 2009 TrueHoop Stat Geek Smackdown. And here is my prize: Henry Abbott did give me some choices. Last year Justin Kubatko was given a Greg Oden jersey. After some conversation, I decided that I would like a banner in my office that would demonstrate to […]
Should We Expect the Lakers to Repeat?
The LA Lakers won the 2009 NBA title and many consider this team to be a strong candidate to repeat. My review of Cleveland, though, suggested that LeBron and the Cavaliers should be the favorites in 2010. The choice of Cleveland was motivated by the following observations: a. Cleveland was the best team in the […]
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Wages of Wins Journal 
October 18, 2009 by dberri
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