Michael Wilbon: Black Folks and analytics don't mix

[Bilz]

I'm all for analytis, especially SportsUV data, but I've always hated those catch all stats like PER and WS that are treated like gospel for many.

I like looking at ts%, usg%, pretty much any % because they give me a better insight into a player's production than raw numbers, I rarely go further than that though.

That's what people should be saying instead of dismissing analytics altogether and calling it nerd shyt. When a guy says player A has the best PER, therefore he's the best, then that viewpoint can be attacked without criticizing analytics.

 

[Gravity]

You think you can assess defense but you don't know what it means for a player to be used properly? I just said he's not a rim protector and he's not a guy that can guard quick perimeter players. But if you're expecting him to do either, thats on you.

You just described someone who's not a good defender that you have to try and hide on defense. Someone that the opposing team is going to try and pick on to capitalize on their weaknesses. Exactly what teams do with Love. You don't need to analyze stats to see that.

 

[☑︎#VoteDemocrat]

Exactly. Wilbon is the type that doesn't know how to use the numbers. If the Spurs were down 3, Popovich would set up a play with screens and misdirections and get a wide open 3 for Green or Mills. It would be a very high percentage play considering the circumstances. In the event that it missed, a Michael Wilbon would say that they should have isolated for Kawhi and had him shoot the 3 because he shoots 45%, ignoring the fact that Kawhi didnt build that percentage taking contested 3 pointers in iso situations.

 

[Cadillac]

His and hers firing shots at this idea.(subliminal)

 

[Bilz]

You just described someone who's not a good defender that you have to try and hide on defense. Someone that the opposing team is going to try and pick on to capitalize on their weaknesses. Exactly what teams do with Love. You don't need to analyze stats to see that.

I never suggested hiding him. There are just a few guys that can switch on anyone and be effective but most others have to stick to their own matchups.

Name some teams you watched that were picking on Love.

 

[El Poyo Loco]

Analytics are useful if they are used in the proper context in regards to scouting and tendencies.

I do worry about players worrying about the stats a little too much especially in contract years because this is what's going on in baseball. Agents and GM''s negotiate over a players sabermetrics. A player could have an average BA but a good OBP because he drew a lot of walks over a season. There's a reason for this, a walk used to be as good as a hit. If a player gets 2 hits an out and drew a walk he's 2/4 but there was a time when he would be 3/4 because they counted the walk. Leadoff hitters sometimes have below .280 BA just for doing their job drawing walks but come contract time they get shafted because their BA is low so now some agents are beginning to argue what about the player OBP and walks. Makes you appreciate guys like Ricky Henderson and Tony Gwynn more who would rather hit to get on base than look for a walk.

 

[HHR]

Analytics are useful if they are used in the proper context in regards to scouting and tendencies.

I do worry about players worrying about the stats a little too much especially in contract years because this is what's going on in baseball. Agents and GM''s negotiate over a players sabermetrics. A player could have an average BA but a good OBP because he drew a lot of walks over a season. There's a reason for this, a walk used to be as good as a hit. If a player gets 2 hits an out and drew a walk he's 2/4 but there was a time when he would be 3/4 because they counted the walk. Leadoff hitters sometimes have below .280 BA just for doing their job drawing walks but come contract time they get shafted because their BA is low so now some agents are beginning to argue what about the player OBP and walks. Makes you appreciate guys like Ricky Henderson and Tony Gwynn more who would rather hit to get on base than look for a walk.

What year do you live in? Ask Heyward how shafted he feels.

Also, Rickey Henderson had a career walk rate north of 16%.....14th highest EVER, and the reason he's the greatest leadoff hitter of all-time.

 

[Danie84]

Honestly, Advanced Analytics are Coded Words; don't even ask me how

 

[Cryptocurrency Scarface]

Sportscasters in general don't use much analytics in soccer you have possession stats but there's no field goal percentage... just raw numbers goals results minimal fractions and percentages

 

[feelosofer]

Since when does a sellout like wilbon speak for Black people in general.

 

[Walter H White]

Hate on sports analytics in 2016 brehs

 

[GilSho]

This forum which is supposedly majority black hates analytics so I'm not surprised this c00n would think this.

 

[Won Won]

If a player gets 2 hits an out and drew a walk he's 2/4 but there was a time when he would be 3/4 because they counted the walk.

2 hits, an out, and a walk would be 2/3...

And walks were counted as hits for just one season in like 1885

 

[iceberg_is_on_fire]

I work in healthcare finance so numbers are my livelihood. I have a healthy appreciation for numbers to use for analysis. I personally don't believe them to be the end all, be all I sports but we've reached a point to where some can't be ignored. The great coaches will figure out what and what not to use.

 

[Verbal Kint]

I'm not reading this whole thread. The article was stupid. The only time anybody talks analytics is on message boards and sports radio/netz. Ain't a race thing. Not only that but anyone who rejects more knowledge just because is being willfully ignorant. Analytics are just better stats that give a better picture of what happens on the court. Points per possession is a more accurate representation of how good an offense/defense is than points per game for example. When you know more about WHAT happens you can dig more into the WHY and then have a better understanding of the game